Jacque Waller's father expects break in the case this week

Stan Rawson, the father of Jacque Sue Waller, said Tuesday he has reason to think that there will be a break this week in the case involving his daughter's disappearance nearly two months ago.

And it's more than a hunch, Rawson said -- his prediction is based on recent conversations he's had with police officers investigating the case. Police, however, said they did not know what to make of Rawson's claims.

"There's going to be something happen this week," said Rawson, a former police officer in the St. Louis area. "I'm not just talking through my hat on this one."

Rawson would not elaborate on what he expects that break to be, only to say that investigators "have a whole truckload of leads." He said his prediction does not mean that his daughter, missing since June 1, will be found this week, however.

Rawson and other members of Jacque's family have made no secret about who they think is responsible -- her husband, Clay Waller, who was the last person known to see Jacque before she disappeared. Jacque Sue Waller was last seen in Jackson at Woodland Drive and North Neal Street. Police have repeatedly described Clay Waller as a person of interest and said that they suspect foul play. Clay Waller has maintained his innocence throughout.

Clay Waller's lawyer, Scott Reynolds, said he has heard for more than a month that a "break" is expected soon. Reynolds asked the big question on Tuesday: "What is it that's supposed to happen? What exactly is it?"

Reynolds questioned the wisdom of airing information about the case to the public. Rawson also told other media outlets that he expects a break in the case this week and told the Southeast Missourian that blood evidence had been found at Clay Waller's home after the disappearance.

"I have all the respect for Mr. Rawson, but I wish he would let the police inform the public as opposed to him," Reynolds said.

The police should be left to gather information and release it when they see fit, Reynolds said.

"We're speculating and basing it on hearsay and rumors," Reynolds said. "Let the police do their job. ... Because I want to know what it is that's supposed to break. I'll deal with it when it does break, if it does."

Investigators said that they did not know what to say about Rawson's claims.

"I'm working a criminal investigation," said Lt. David James with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. "If they're confident something's going to happen -- I don't know what to tell you. I don't have time to evaluate that."

Rawson also shared his opinion Tuesday about his daughter's business cards that were found July 13 near a mailbox on Highway 177 near Procter & Gamble. Police at the time said they did not know how long the business cards for Blue Cross Blue Shield, where Waller was a manager, had been there.

But Rawson said that he does not believe his daughter put them there.

"There's no way that she could have," he said. "They were put there a couple of days before they were found."

He said the cards, found in a plastic case, were in near mint condition and were not as worn as they would have been had they been left in the elements from June 1 to July 13. Rawson said he saw the business cards.

He said he believes the person who put them there had access to his daughter's purse because that's where she kept the business cards.

"I believe he wanted to lead people in that direction," Rawson said. "He wanted to throw us off the trail. He spread some breadcrumbs over in that direction so people would be looking in the wrong direction."

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Woodland Drive and North Neal Street, Jackson, MO