Why Was Whitney Heichel Murdered?

At a previous place Holt had lived, he had climbed on a balcony rail to peep into a neighbor woman's window and, as her husband described, "had freaked out" his wife. So, stalking was a pattern with him. And I doubt that Whitney had any kind of relationship with this guy at all. I think she barely knew him. Holt was a married man and neighbors said he rarely was outside and that when he'd come home from riding his motorcycle, he'd leave his helmet on to cover his face and head until he went into his apartment. There was definately something strange about him. His wife took her facebook page down right after his arrest.

interesting stuff. those are good details if its all true. Def gives us an idea of what kind of person he was.

All of what I mentioned was reported by main stream media in articles or in videos.

Chelsea: I know as a journalist, you are going to examine this case from every perspective. But, I can honestly say that I sure as heck learned MY lesson Friday night. I thought for SURE the husband was guilty. His entire "demeanor" just seemed wrong and not quite "right." All I could envision was Lacey Peterson all over again! However, I felt a lot of guilt and remorse after the true suspect was revealed, that I did not give her husband a fair chance and had automatically judged him as guilty. Granted, Johnathan Holt is still "technically" innocent, and he has the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a jury. Needless to say, I think it is horribly unfair to even put suspicions or doubt out there on a person's character until we know FOR SURE what the truth really is. Can you imagine the world looking at you suspiciously in the murder of a close loved one? How would that feel. Or even worse, how would you feel if it was your child or sister, or mother etc. who's reputation and character was being questioned? From all accounts, it appears that Whitney and Clinton were extremely happy and very much in love. I think it borders on slander to cast suspicion that she "could have" or "might have" known the suspect on a more intimate level. I know it's your job to do this...but please try to have a little respect for the families and friends of Whitney who read this. Let's give the POLICE a chance to figure out the case before we start with all of our speculations and gossip. Thanks.

I'm not a journalist


Thanks for reading

We can tell.

You're welcome.

I agree with Shawnee Campbell. This journalist, writer, blogger,whatever she is, writes things, puts it out in the media for people to think about and doesn't even bother to think of the effects it may have on the family. Ms. Hoffman....to say "Could Whitney Heichel and Jonathan Holt have had some other kind of relationship that drove the two of them to have an altercation?"....what in the world would you even mean by "another relationship". You definitely did not mean a "friendship" relationship. Let the police do the investigating. What Jonathan Holt did was horrible and for you to write on whether or not they had a "another relationship" is very insinuating. Shame on you! Go find another story to write about....like Barney the dinosaur. People have already tried to deface that dinosaur. Why not add to that?

Wow. So you're insinuating that this victim was cheating on her husband with her killer. Based on what? I'm thinking...absolutely nothing except that you love to start gossip and figure it will get you more readers. The other poster called this crap story "your job". I sure hope no one pays you to write this trash.

So you're insinuating that this victim was cheating on her husband with her killer.

Where did I say that?

" However, is it possible that something else happened? Could Whitney Heichel and Jonathan Holt have had some other kind of relationship that drove the two of them to have an altercation?"

Your words Chelsea, it's clearly an implication. You are making a suggestion.

You do realize that the word "relationship" doesn't strictly mean "romantic relationship," right?

You do realize that when you use the word "relationship" the first word association that comes to mind IS romantic, right?

And, yes, I DO realize that, but the implication is that there was some association, some connection between them in which they both willingly engaged in, that led up to the kidnapping and murder. That IS what your article implied.

You do realize that when you use the word "relationship" the first word association that comes to mind IS romantic, right?


Not to people familiar with vocabulary.

John,

There's no use trying to use the dictionary on her. She's obviously in her own dictionary world using words to her advantage.

Merriam-Webster good enough? This is a word that elementary school students know the definition for. Why can't you "adults" grasp it? I find that extremely sad.



What's that about a dictionary? I suggest looking at a dictionary yourself. It would eliminate the embarrassment of being publicly revealed as not knowing what very simple words mean. The word "relationship" and its definitions are actually part of grammar school curriculum for vocabulary and English -- so even most high school dropouts should know what the word means.

If not.. shame on them ;)


Definition of RELATIONSHIP

1
: the state of being related or interrelated
2
: the relation connecting or binding participants in a relationship: as
a : kinship
b : a specific instance or type of kinship
3
a : a state of affairs existing between those having relations or dealings
b : a romantic or passionate attachment
See relationship defined for English-language learners »
See relationship defined for kids »
Examples of RELATIONSHIP

The relationship between the two countries has improved.
She has a close relationship with her sister.
She has had many bad relationships.
I am not in a relationship right now.
the relationship between mental and physical health
“What is your relationship to the witness?” “He is my father.”
First Known Use of RELATIONSHIP

1741
Related to RELATIONSHIP

Synonyms: affinity, association, bearing, kinship, liaison, linkage, relation, connection
Antonyms: disaffiliation, dissociation
[+]more
Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal
Rhymes with RELATIONSHIP

accountantship, acquaintanceship, apostleship, apprenticeship, artisanship, assistantship, attorneyship, championship, chancellorship, cit...
[+]more
re·la·tion·ship noun \-sh?n-?ship\ (Medical Dictionary)
Medical Definition of RELATIONSHIP

1
: the state of being related or interrelated
2
a : a state of affairs existing between those having relations or dealings
b : an emotional attachment between individuals

I'm sure it will come to light that the neighbor was a stalker. I've read that stalkers are always (1) immature emotionally and psychologically, and (2) entitled, believing that they should get whatever it is that they want. The real question is, how do we correct it? Waiting for them to seek help by themselves is pointless. And restraining orders only serve to enrage them. I think we need to lock these folks up for life upon their first offense. It sounds harsh, but are we going to let these guys kill every last woman on earth?

Well, clearly you are no journalist. You have no concept of proof. Just because you CAN type something, does not mean you SHOULD. You are playing very fast and loose with the 1st ammendment. Now that you have put out in print that this all could have been Whitney's fault because she might have had a "relationship" with the killer puts you smack in the middle of a potential lawsuit. Yes, her husband can sue you for libel.

Other than knowing how to type, do you know anything about reporting or journalism. If you own a dictionary, look up LIBEL. Here, I'll help you out, according to Merriam-Webster Libel is "a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression." (underscore mine)

You are casting aspersions on the victim with no proof other than what you read on other media websites.

You are the worst of all internet trolls and if Gather.com has absolutely any decency, they will remove you immediately.

1. I never claimed to be a journalist.

2. Like some other readers you've seem to mistaken "relationship" to only mean "romantic relationship." Here's a definition for you:

According to Merriam-Webster A "relationship" can be any and all of the following.

Let me help you a little further:

Jonathan was allegedly a neighbor of hers -- that is a relationship, considering the two were acquainted enough to give rides to one another.

Jonathan was a member of their church -- that is a relationship.

Jonathan was an acquaintance -- this can also be considered a relationship.

Nowhere in my post do I say that the victim is to blame for what happened to her, nor do I ever say that she had a "romantic" relationship with her killer. I asked questions that were pertinent to this case and asked what the extend of their relationship was as more details continue to come to the media.

Since you've seemed to not only mixed up the differences between blogger, journalist, reporter or commentator but appeared to mis-define "relationship", I'll just request that you pay more attention to what you are are reading.

I understand if you superficially read this and then jumped to your conclusions without thinking, as we are all guilty of this from time to time. We all make mistakes. Though try to think more before jumping to conclusions, making threats and flinging accusations -- especially when you're doing so in obvious error.

Have a great evening and thanks for reading.

Keep in mind that this article was written prior to a lot of the new developments. We know now that Jonathan Holt requested a ride from Heichel, where he made her drive somewhre at gunpoint.

Before these developments, however, many theories were possible. By "relationships" I meant ANY other situation involving how the two may know one another. Could money have been involved, drugs, theft, etc etc etc, could the two had been feuding neighbors, could they have had a falling out as friends, anything. Of course we know none of these are pertinent after the fact.

That is all that this article meant. I apologize if so many people misunderstood it.

Why did she perform oral sex on Jonathan Holt?? Rape I can see, but not oral. She could of bit it off or refused. Something was up.

Yes, DONG.. Because the first thing a terrified, young woman thinks to do when a MONSTER has a gun to her head is to bite his penis off...cuz THAT will keep him from pulling the trigger!!! What a moron... SMH

Are you serious Dong??? He had a gun on her!! She probably thought if she did what she asked she may have a chance of surviving or of possibly fighting him off and escaping at some point! The only thing that was up was this sick bastard!!

Exactly, Lori!!! EXACTLY.

Flint....Im not one for titles..but you are clearly a self righteous misogynist a hole. Easy to cast judgement from the safety of your dna covered keyboard.

Dong, seriously??!! I couldn't believe what I was reading when I came across your comment. Have you not heard the adage about not judging someone until you walk a mile in their shoes. Until you experience the same sheer terror she surely must have felt with this monster holding a gun to her temple, then and only then may you be allowed to judge her. You truly have the emotional quotient of a head of lettuce.

30 years ago my friend left work on her lunch break & never returned. Her friends & family knew there was no way she would voluntarily just disappear. She had a 4 & 8 year old. Because my friend had an impeccable reputation for punctuality, on the insistence of my friend's boss, the police launched an investigation immediately. The next morning she was found dead on the side of a road.
What happened? A co-worker claimed he needed a ride. He kidnapped her & took her to his home, where he stripped, bound & gagged her before returning to work like nothing happened. My friend strangled when she attempted to slip free of the self-tightening noose her co-worker left around her neck.
It was a shock to the other co-workers to learn he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. He also kidnapped and raped his 15-year-old sister-in-law. Community notification of the release of sex offenders from incarceration did not occur where I live until 1997.
There were cynicists who speculated there was a relationship between my friend & the co-worker. The only relationship was that he was her co-worker. Most of us do not start out our day anticipating being murdered by a co-worker or neighbor.

THANK YOU, Paula...And what an awful story. :( SO sick of women being destroyed, both physically and mentally, by disgusting savages. Then twisted minds who instantly assume the woman could be in some part to blame. In both these cases, the ONLY thing these women were guilty of was being too KIND AND TRUSTING!!! Which makes it even more horrendous that people would think that way.

Here is what your missing... A girl with morals would rather die than give a guy oral sex. Secondly what idiot who has a gun to a woman's head would then proceed to put his penis in her mouth. We are only getting one side of the story here and it's the killer's. Its so sad she lost her life and I hope he gets death penalty for what he did. But I don't think she is as innocent a girl as they are portraying. It's already being manipulate that he was a irregular attender at the church when in fact he had to be baptized and in good standing with the church to be married there. So there is already alot of spinning and manipulation with what we are feed from different sources.

Here is what your missing... A girl with morals would rather die than give a guy oral sex.

so by your logic only immoral girls are orally raped

No, by my logic I don't see how you can force someone to do oral sex. I don't think he is telling the whole story. Obviously oral happened because his DNA was all over her car. But did it happen before he pulled the gun? Or why did she do it even with the gun. The whole oral sex thing isn't adding up in this story. Iv never heard of forced oral sex. Rape yes, oral sex no. It doesn't make sense. But then again maybe there are women will to do anything and everything to save their life. We may never know.

Just because you don't see how it can happen doesn't mean it can't happen. Forceful oral sex is actually something that is very common. I suggest talking to a victim of the act you're saying doesn't seem possible. My mother would be one of those women, as well as at least one victim of Brandon Scott Lavergne and many other women.

When you have a gun pointed at you and you actually want to LIVE, you do pretty much whatever you're told. At least then there's a small chance you won't be shot to death and discarded in the wilderness. Though sometimes even that doesn't matter.

@Dong Flint

Here, I suggest reading this. A woman who survived a pretty horrific ordeal shared her experience being forced to perform oral sex on her captor. It's graphic, it's horrific, and it might just change your mind on whether or not oral rape "adds up."

I read your article and I do agree it is tragic when a woman is sexually assaulted oral or otherwise. However I still take issue with a woman giving or receiving oral and not fighting back or refusing. I mean in the one example in the article she had a man come in and perform oral on her while she just layed there??? And giving oral requires effort and a desire to do it. Whitney was a victim however (and Im not saying this to put her down, im being objective) she either had lower morals than alot of women or she was that weak or unintelligent to drive out in the woods and perform oral on this guy. It does not add up and I stand by my opinion that only women with low moral standard would be forced to perform oral sex. A strong woman would refuse, simply just couldnt do it, or use the opportunity as a chance bite it off to defend herself.

and I suppose you're among the group of people who believe a woman can't get pregnant if she's raped either.....

This has nothing to do with politics. Of course she can get pregnant and that would be incredibly unfortunate and tragic. However if she aborted that baby I would consider her a murder who deserved the death penalty just like Jonathan Holt.

Good grief. Well that explains your lack of understanding of rape victimology :(


anyway thanks for reading...

I have plenty of understanding they just don't coincide with your low moral standards apparently. Abortion is murder even if the sperm comes from a rapist. That is reality. Just because a woman is raped it doesn't absolve her of all accountability and responsibility. Going back to Whitney just because you have a gun to your head (if she even did) didn't mean she had to perform oral sex on him to the point of his finishing.

Thanks for listening.

Ummmmm..........what?! Who the heck are you?? The bottom line is, NO ONE knows exactly what happened except the victim and the criminal. And she is unable to tell her story. Who's to say the whole thing even happened that way? Maybe she WOULDN'T comply and he shot her. And if she DID do it, who says he "finished"? Who says to what extent she "complied"? Who says she DIDN'T fight and scream and protest? Were you there?? How many times have YOU been in her situation?? I'd like to think I'm positive how I'd react in a situation like that, but the truth is none of us really know. Fear and panic and her young age and kind, trusting heart probably ALL were factors in why she did or didn't do what YOU seem to think she SHOULD have. You don't know. So unless you were there, I'd suggest just keeping your mouth shut. Plenty of women with high standards and morals have been assaulted. Who knows when her friends and family may ever see this. Do they need some "armchair detective" spouting his OPINIONS? I don't think so. And another thing....IF Mr. Holt was a baptized JW and did in fact get married in a Kingdom Hall, all that means is he was in good standing LEADING UP TO AND AT THE TIME OF his wedding. He could have immediately dropped off the map after that. Being married in a KH in the past does not mean he was an active member of the congregation currently. And if for some reason Whitney's own family spokesman is lying and Mr. Holt was a regular attendee, that STILL doesn't make him a true JW. His actions prove that.

He could have killed her before the oral sex happened. Sick, true, but this guy's already sick enough to kidnap and murder her.

Melissa... So basically if the Nazi's wanted you to sign a document denouncing your faith you would of done so to survive? Basically that's what your saying. Do what you have to so you can survive.

I hardly think rape and the holocaust can really be compared

I really don't think it's a situation where either person would think rationally here. A female is not going to worry about morals when her life is at stake. She is gonna do what she has to do. Also, I don't think he was in the state of mind to worry about getting his penis bitten off, especially if he is holding a gun to her head. I would think that most people would not do anything stupid while a gun is pointed to their head and Johnathan knew this. Whitney was not exactly in the fight or flight position here. Why aggravate the situation any further by trying to fight someone holding a gun, in close range to her head? She was a small person compared to him. She had no chance in hell if she did decide to bite it off. Too bad his intentions was to kill her anyway.

I knew a woman in an abusive relationship. Her ex often beat her and forced her to do oral sex on him. One day, she got tired of it and bit down on him hard. He needed stitches on his penis, and he had to explain to the doctor why.

Thanks Reno, and she survived and got away. Point proven.

after she was "often forced to do oral sex on him", Dong. You missed that point.

Earlier I had mentioned how a dear friend of mine was murdered by a co-worker during their lunch break. I left out some details because I didn't think it would relate to some of the other opinions. But, killer had been employed at my friend's place of employment for five years without a KNOWN incident. As, I mentioned his co-workers were shocked to find out his background. As the trial went on we learned that my friend put up a HECK OF A FIGHT. My friend did not survive her attack. But, even if she hadn't put up a fight, it would not have made my friend an immoral person. Her killer was immoral. I can't put my finger on it, but somehow I feel Dong has some sort of axe to grind. I can't figure out if he has a problem with women, her age or her religion or what. But, it's disturbing. I know this is a public forum. where people can air their opinions But, the snide comment Dong made betrays a lack of true interest or compassion for the Whitney Heichel or her family. Whether this young woman was a prostitute in the street or a nun, it did not give the killer the right to take what did not belong to him,... her life. A killer could be a neighbor, co-worker, church member, family member etc...... I could see where a person could let down their guard. As, I mentioned I doubt if my friend left for lunch expecting to be kidnapped and murdered by someone, she worked with for five years. He got a life sentence and died in prison in 1996. My friend usually went home for lunch everyday to spend it with her children who were being watched by an elderly neighbor. It haunts me that my friend phoned me before she went to work the day she died. I was in a hurry and couldn't talk with her long... Neither of us knowing this would be the last day of her life. It still hurts. I think of her two children. I remember when my friend's daughter got a little older she asked me "What was my mom like, why did my mom die?" I doubt Whitney left home thinking her life would end that morning. I am sure her husband, family and friends are asking "Why did Whitney die?" Kindness is all but, disappearing because of the fear of getting burnt for being kind.

If a female had a gun pointed at their head in close range and she was thinking about biting his penis off, she better hope to do the job right. It doesn't take long for someone to pull the trigger. Even if she did bite it off, there is still the issue of being shot while trying to get away.

@ reno. I feel for this woman that you knew but was she ever put in a position with a gun pointed to her head? Obviously if it happened everyday, which is something that she could have gotten herself out of by taking flight, her situation would have never came to her biting his penis. She had a choice each day in that relationship to leave and report his abusive a$$, whitney did not. This woman you knew, was she trapped? Was she tied up somewhere and her man came home to abuse her? She had the opportunity to leave plenty of times but too bad love blindsighted her before she actually saw the light.

Ding DONG....Here is what YOU'RE missing (besides a brain, apparently).. A VAGINA!!! Stop telling all of us WOMEN how women think.. or should think. Honestly, if anyone deserves to be the recipient of a big chomp to the penis right now, I'd nominate you!!

This is the first time in my life I have ever felt compelled to comment on any story or online conversation. I am so disgusted and saddened by what Dong has said above. To suggest and speculate that this poor girl who is now DEAD, is immoral is beyond me. How can you dare judge her? Have you ever had a gun pointed at your head? Did it cross your mind she had many years left to live and a family that needed her and she likely wanted to do whatever it took to live? I consider myself to be a highly moral female and would do what was asked of me with a gun to my head. To bite would be certain death an I'd rather the chance to try and survive, regardless of how people like you would have judged me after. You need your head checked, god forbid you're ever on a jury for a female who was raped. Would you disown a family member in this situation had she survived? You are twisted and in my opinion, rather unintelligent.

Who is this comment addressing?

lol okay, I was going to say "but what did I do?" lol

I actually enjoyed your observations

Not all guys are negative towards women, It just bothers me that when a woman is sexually assaulted or a victim of some crime.....she gets raped all over again.....by opinions

I just hope that Flint and Zarola aren't married and don't have any daughters.

I apologize to readers who have had to put up with the religious rantings of some of the newly signed-up members. I let it go on for too long because I was not sure of their motives, but now it's been clear that they are using the death of this young woman to spread religious intolerance.


I apologize and will make sure the person's comments are removed from here on out.