Jacob Wetterling Abduction: Search Underway on Neighbor’s Farm
Local elementary band teacher caught up in Jacob Wetterling abduction case?
Jacob Wetterling
Since early this morning authorities have been conducting a search on the Stearns County, Minnesota, farm owned by 85-yr-old Robert and 81-yr-old Rita Rassier in connection with the 1989 abduction of 11-yr-old Jacob Wetterling. A farm located near where Jacob was abducted. News reports state living at the farm, the Rassier’s son, Daniel A. Rassier, age 54. In an article about the search, Daniel A. Rassier was referred to as a “teacher”. During a search on the internet we discovered a 2-yr-old article about a “Dan Rassier”, a lifelong resident of St. Joseph and 30-yr band teacher at Cold Spring Elementary School located 14 miles from St. Joseph. The authorities are tight-lipped about the investigation, refusing to release details which led to the search of the Rassier’s farm. Whether Daniel A. Rossier is a suspect, a person of interest in the Jacob Wetterling case, or an innocent bystander caught up in the search for clues in the Jacob Wetterling abduction case. And, whether Daniel A. Rossier is “Dan Rossier”, the 30-yr elementary band teacher at Cold Spring Elementary, a lifelong resident of St. Joseph, the same age as Daniel A. Rossier.
Jacob was abducted on October 22, 1989, at 9:15 PM, along 91st Ave, less than a 1/2 mile from the Wetterling home. Jacob, his brother Trevor, and a friend had set out on their bikes to pick up a video at a local Tom Thumb convenience store when a masked gunman stopped the boys. According to site, The Charley Project, the boys were approached by a Caucasian male wearing a mask and dark clothing armed with either a shotgun or handgun. The man ordered to the boys lie down in a nearby ditch. The man asked Trevor, Jacob’s age, then told Trevor to “run away and not look back”. The man then “did the same” with the boy who was a friend, leaving Jacob alone with the unidentified man. According to the Charley Project, the man then “walked towards a wooded area” with Jacob.
According to the SCTimes, Jacob was abducted near the driveway of the Rassier farm.
From 12 News:
Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner said the St. Cloud Times office of district attorney told him that the court order prevented him say why investigators in the residence.
Sheriff’s Office squad car parked at the entrance to the road. Property owned by Robert and Rita Rassier. Rita Rassier hung up when contacted by Pioneer Press this afternoon. Robert Rassier is 85 and Rita Rassier 81. Daniel A. Rassier, 54, lists the same address, and St. Joseph Township treasurer, in accordance with the Web site Stearns County.
Anna Reischl St. Joseph Township clerk, said Daniel Rassier is one of the sons of Robert and Rita Rassier and lives in the house with them. A pair of retired farmers and Daniel Rassier is a group of teachers, “she said.
“It’s just incredible view, because it is one of the best families,†said Reischl search occurs on the property in Rassier. “They are very caring people.â€
Is Daniel A. Rassier, Dan Rassier, a lifelong resident of St. Joseph and 30-yr band teacher at Cold Spring Elementary located 14 miles from St. Joseph? And, who are the other “brothers”?
Dan Rassier, Cold Spring Elementary Teacher, St. Joseph, Minnesota
On June 5, 2008, the site The Newsleaders published an article on Dan Rassier, age 52, lifelong resident of St. Joseph and 30-year Cold Spring elementary band instructor. The article focused on Dan Rassier’s passion for marathon running and playing the trumpet.
When 52-year-old Dan Rassier was running in the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon May 10, a thought crossed his mind he hadn’t contemplated in decades.
Rassier, a life-long resident of St. Joseph, remembers swimming in Avon as a kid, watching trains as they passed nearby, wondering where they were off to.
Fast forward some 40 years later and here he was, running a 26.2-mile race on the trackless stretch of soil that used to catch his eye from the beach area.
This coincidence of coincidences made fine food for thought – just what he needed to keep a “positive bubble†around him, a bubble Rassier purposely creates for protection during his long-distance runs.
“From running, I’ve learned so much about myself,†he said. “You learn about your body, but you also learn how you think. Because when you’re running such long distances your negative imagination can do tricks on you.
On July 30, 2004, a man came forward to tell his story of being abducted and sexually molested at age 12 in Cold Spring–ten miles from where Jacob was abducted–on January 13, 1989, ten months before Jacob Wetterling disappeared with his abductor. The man contacted KARE-TV reporter Rick Kupchella. KARE-TV called the man “Jared” to protect his identity. Jared’s account of his abduction included Jared walking down the road after hockey practice. A man pulling over in a car then asking Jared for directions. The man stepping out of the car and grabbing Jared, forcing Jared into the car. The man driving Jared to a remote area then sexually assaulting the boy. After the man sexually assaulted Jared, he drove Jared back to town continually questioning Jared whether Jared “recognized” the man. Jared stated the man pulled Jared from the back seat of the car and told him to run.
“And don’t look back or he threatened to shoot, ” Jared said. “I did as I was told.”
Jared’s family immediately contacted the authorities while Jared was taken to a local hospital for tests.
From KARE 11:
The list of similarities is as compelling today as it was back in 1989.
* Similar ages. Jared was 12. Jacob was 11.
* Similar Suspect Description. A lone, white male with a low, gravely voice. map showing proximity of towns
* The location of the abductions. Jared was taken in Cold Spring, just ten miles from St. Joseph where Jacob disappeared.
* In each case, there was a threat of a gun.
* The sexual nature of each crime. In Jared’s case, he was sexually assaulted. In Jacob’s case, authorities confirm there was the suggestion of “sexual interest” in the boys.
* A mask. In Jared’s case, the abductor forced the boy’s cap over his eyes. In Jacob’s case the abductor wore nylon stockings over his head.
* Similar commands. Jared was told to “run away and don’t look back or I’ll shoot.” The boys with Jacob were told to “run into the woods and don’t look back or I’ll shoot.”
Jared, at age 12, was a resident of Cold Spring, and, most likely, a student at Cold Spring Elementary. Given these two details, it would seem to indicate 12-yr-old Jared would have recognized Dan Rossier, the long time band teacher at Cold Spring Elementary school if Rossier abducted Jared, as the abductor wasn’t wearing a disguise or a nylon stocking pulled over his face. As of yet, we’ve been unable to discover the identity of Daniel A. Rossier’s “brothers”, the “other sons” of the Rossier family who may have been living at home in 1989.
Yes they are the same person. Mr. Rassier was my band instructor in elementary/middle school. I went to school with “Jared”. I grew up near Jacob Wetterling and my father was interviewed by the FBI. I am sure all of the information you have given has been put together by investigators many years ago. Those of us who are from the area already had our own suspicions for the last 21 years. Finally, we may get our answers.
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G. Solti Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 08:51
Interesting. As a local, you have your own suspicions. Please tell us more about the suspicions. Is there anything more that we can learn about the “property being searched?” Please share. Very much appreciated.
What are the locals really thinking or suspicions?
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M. Anderson Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 17:24
This is all speculation, but here is some local talk that I have heard.
I have heard of many rumors before these recent allegations have even been made. Dan Rassier has been stated to saying things along the lines of taunting the police in local conversations. Saying that they must be dumb for not finding the person who did it, Showing little remorse. He also has been seen as odd which is the general consensus from looking at what others say.
Another one I heard was when asked in 1989 why he was not around much in the search he said something like I have better things too do. His parents happened to be gone in Europe during the abduction which I heard from a local source who has lived a block away from the family since the abduction.
He was reported to have called in the night of the disappearance saying a car pulled into his driveway. The driveway to the far is probably .5 miles long or longer surrounded by woods. Not sure if he would of noticed that if he was inside that night. All other reports had no car involved. 2004 they ruled out a car being involved. Note: the way to the farm is a dead end. It is pretty difficult to navigate back there from the highway. More reason the authorities probably eliminated the assumption that it was someone from out of town.
Dan also stated he had no stockings in a interview in 1989, and his parents have no stockings that would match the one worn by the abductor. In a talk with friends who live in the area, the mother of one of them had seen Dan interviewed during the incident in 1989. It was in their house and the camera actually catches a black looking stocking hanging up in the near bathroom. I have yet to find that footage, but would love to see it if it is out there.
I also heard the farm was poorly search, and search around 5 days after the whole incident, being they use wood burners to power their farm it would be easy enough to burn the evidence.
None of these things I have said are 100% factual. They are what I heard from locals, and friends in the area. One thing I do know is that st.Joesph is a small town, and word spreads fast.
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Too many sick people in society today. With all the technology today you would think they could come up with something that could detect pedophile tendencies and then take those people and strand them on an island with the same types and let them survive on their own and keep them away from our precious children.
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ML,
For you and the people in your area, especially the Wettering Family, I too hope you all may finally get your answers. Thanks for confirming Daniel A. Rassier is “Dan Rassier”. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wetterings.
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I am the retired Chief of Police from St.James, Minnesota and have been stressing this same location to many people for years but no one seems to want to listen. I and some friends even drove to the area of the kidnapping long after it happened and there is no way that someone should have NOT been seen leaving or going to that area. I have always felt that the kidnapper was a neighbor or someone who was staying in the same area where the kidnapping took place and this was the exact farm I mentioned to many. I was told by a B.C.A. agent that the F.B.I. did a poor, slow investigation of the abduction on the case. I have also felt that both of the abductions were connected but some departments don’t want others to come in and solve their cases. I never believed that a vehicle was involved. I always believed that the abductor saw the boys go past his place and waited for them to come back towards home before grabbing Jacob. It was the only place for the abductor to take Jacob.
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Hypothetically speaking, and for purposes of discussing allegations only, I find this rather interesting: “a fictional person, rather educated, talented, yet chooses to lives with his elderly parents most of his life, who happens to be alone very near a remote site at the same time as a most mysterious abduction takes place, leaving virtually no trace of evidence” “this fictitional, hypothetical person shows no signs of extreme concern even though it is his own property being search and maybe even decides to “go back to sleep” This person may have a fictitious job at a school involving elementary age children like the victim, yet shows no concern for one of his possible own students being abducted on or near his property.” “I wonder if a hypothetical, fictitious person like this has any relationships with women his age, or has ever had such a relationship.” “very much a loner in many respects, I could only guess. Certainly traces of what this fictitious person would be “interested in” would be evident in writings, pics, computer files, films/videos, etc. etc. etc.” “It gets very lonely on cold winter nights alone, all alone in norther, rural Minnesota, I could only venture to guess in such a situation.” “What does a hypothetical person do on those nights? Where would he find solace and “release”? One can only wonder about these things, but one would have to be “very” good at hiding all traces of his “interests” and what evidence might be left behind…..
Of course this is all hypothetical. There is no such person, and no person is inferred. It is only a hypothetical consideration if such a person existed….. Nothing should be considered as pointing to any real person, alive or dead….
And so we ponder these things….
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[...] source Tags: hosting [...]
the dark side of Lake Wobegon
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While I understand the premise of what you suggest. It is unconstitutional to do something like that. Just as an alcoholic has the tendancy to drink the pedophile has the tendancy to abuse. BUT, unless they actually commit a crime nothing can be done. This would be just like what happened with the Holocaust. Might want to think this one through again.
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Michael Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 14:45
The previous reply was in response to Pam and putting “them” all on an island.
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his brothers names are Anthony and Joseph
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7-1-10
I lived in Mpls at the time of Jacob’s abduction. I was extremely upset about it, being the mother of young kids. I am a 20 year resident of Milwaukee and as I am sure you have heard in the news, there was a major sex abuse scandal and cover up regarding priests abusing young students here. Is the school that employed Dan Rassier, covering up any inappropriate behavior between him and students during his time at the school, as an instructor? Has a statement ever been issued, requesting any former school students to come forward about any such inappropriate behavior by or exposure to Rassier? Perhaps his ex-students need to retrospectively analyze their relationship/exposure with Rassier and look for clues about any inappropriate situations with Rassier in or outside of the school setting.
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Here is an interesting, (and disturbing), article printed in 2006 involving a then 50 year old person named Daniel Rassier. The names match, the age matches, may or may not be the same person, you be the judge…I simply present the (disturbing) article I located.
http://wcco.com/topstories/prosecutor.Aitken.County.2.359858.html
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Before you slander someone, make sure you have the right person. In any event, the article you reference is sad.What’s sad about it is the girl is mentally ill and the story is just that…a story . All charges have been dropped and a family has been sterotyped for life.
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Actually putting “them” on a island is WAY too nice, their privates should be cut off!!! Being a pedophile IS crime enough!
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I had Mr. Rassier, otherwise known by his students as Mr. Bee Bop, as a band and music teacher in Elementary school and as a 7th grade basketball coach. Quite a few of us thought he was a little off, but I can’t think of any real inappropriate situations.I don’t think there has ever been a statement asking for anyone to come forward, but they probably didn’t have enough evidence to put a statement like that out there. I have known of teachers (in the ROCORI district) and/or coaches who have been let go for situations that were only mildly inappropriate. So I can only assume that if there were any issues that would have arisen with Mr. Rassier they would have been looked into very closely. Of course I have no idea what happened before or after I was in school and can only speak of my interaction. Hopefully if there were inappropriate situations these students will come forward now. I was 8 when this happened and I can remember it like it was yesterday. It still gets to me now that it is being dug up again. I hope for all involved there will be some answers this time.
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[...] Jacob Wetterling Abduction: Search Underway on Neighbor’s Farm: On July 30, 2004, a man came forward to tell his story of being abducted and sexually molested at [...]
Someone mentioned how mayor of St. Joseph is/was Al Rassier. Age 54, same age as Dan Rassier. Cousins? Relative? Nevertheless, maybe why main suspect has remained “free” all of these years. Also, Al has one son, Josh, 32. Consequently, the same age that Jacob would (is) have been.
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Could it be that this is the same Dan Rassier? The age matches:
http://www.startribune.com/local/20645224.html
If so, looks like this isn’t the first time he’s fallen under suspicion of a horrendous crime.
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LBG1 Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 22:01
Alison,
The man in the Star Tribune article isn’t related to the Jacob Wetterling case.
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Speaking of the Rassier farm and “no vehicle involved” there already is an established running loop past the farm right to
St. John’s Abbey. I also believe the abductor was or is local.
The authorities must have checked this route out back in 1989.
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^I believed they tracked his scent there in the following days but were not allowed to enter. I believe there was also another young man whose scent was tracked there recently. Given the extensive history of sexual abuse of young men there I can’t imagine why this is not the focal point.
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I know the area well and grew up there. I think the culprit is at St. Johns’ campus-a priest or a monk. That place has the reputation as a holding tank for the biggest perverts around.I know this first hand also.
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According to my internet research, the scents of Joshua Guimond (missing from St. John’s Univ. ll/9/02) and Chris Jenkins (missing from Minneapols, MN 10/31/02) were found leading up to St. John’s Abby. If there is alrady an established running loop past the (Rassier) farm right to the St. John’s Abbey (as previously stated on this site) then I see a possible link between the abduction of Jacob Wetterling and the hypothetical “Smiley Face” serial killer. The resemblance of Jacob Wetterlings age progression photo and Joshua Guimond are very similar, in my opinion. These coincidences would justify a closer look, in my opinion.
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LBG1 Reply:
July 5th, 2010 at 11:39
Debbie,
Thanks for the info on the Abby. Years ago I knew a 59-yr-old man who claimed he was a former monk. I seem to recall he claimed he was at a monastery located in Colorado. He put on a good former monk “act”, a shaved head, spouted monkisms, had a happy smiley-face personality and would go around chanting. He had opened up a secondhand store in a small community then brought in boys who were around 11-12 yrs old to work in the back. Boys who came from underprivileged families, from other locations. One day, while in the store, one of the boys told me he was tired after staying up all night “looking at the computer”. The “monk” rushed over and ordered the boy to go to store room. Immediately. It was apparent the “monk” wanted the kid to “shut-up”. The circumstances, in my opinion, seemed to point to something else going on. One week later the monk was questioned by the local cops who seized his computers. He was wanted in another state for molesting a kid. The cops questioned the monk, then let him go. The monk skipped town. Later, the authorities issued a warrant for his arrest, charged with several cases of child molestation, including the current kids who worked in the store. Haven’t checked yet whether the authorities have found the guy. He’s probably still out there, a guy in his mid-60′s. Sexual predators don’t stop sexually assaulting because of age. I’ve read of men in their late 80′s and 90′s who were arrested for molesting little kids.
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I used to own a house in St. Cloud. It was built in the late 1800′s. It had a huge oil burner in the basement that was built like a tank. The cast iron doors were about an inch thick. I used to purchase oil which was delivered by Schwagel heating. When I had the oil burner looked at I was told it would last another 100 years. It freaked me out because it looked liked something out of a horror movie and I always thought of how it could fit a body in there to be incinerated to ashed. I had it replaced after the first year but I know many old farm houses still kept theirs for years. Where am I going with this? I wonder if anyone ever called Schwagel or any other oil companies in the area to find out if at the time of Jacob’s dissapearance the farm house owned by the Rassiners had an oil burning furnace that would leave no trace of a body? Just a thought…
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I think jacob rassier looks like jake wettering. Same smile, only one years difference in age. Maybe they should do a DNA test on him. Stranger things have happened. Ask Jacee Dugard.
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Tina Reply:
July 8th, 2010 at 11:19
Who is Jacob Rassier in relation to the person of interest? His brother, his nephew? Thank you.
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Tina,
I don’t know, there appear to be several Rassier families in Stearns county. I suspect that he is a cousin. I think his father works as a grouinds keeper for the State of Minnesota.You can find his DOB on Minnesota court records online. I started thinking about Jacobs abduction, for some reason I thought it happened in the summer, but October is kind of late (because it is usually dark out by 8:30 PM) of a bunch of young kids to be riding their bikes that late at night.
Especially in the country, they could be hit by a car.
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The monster that took Jacob Wettering asked his bike-riding friends their age because he was likely trying to recreate the same situation when he attacked other boys that age. Perhaps this monster was trying to recreate his rape of Jared that occurred ten months earlier in Cold Spring.
It is likely to not be coincidental that many young men have disappeared in the circumference of St. John Abbey. How many young males have to disappear before angry Catholics organize and force the closure of St. John’s Abbey that has a long history of housing pedophiles?
http://www.wisn.com/r/1973837/detail.html
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Kim Reply:
January 8th, 2012 at 23:59
It seems likely that the Cold Springs Abductor and the person who kidnapped Jacob are the same person. Most people that have studies this case do not believe Dan Rassier is involved. He would be really dumb to kidnap a child right in front of his house. Plus he has taken lie detector tests and hypnosis. If he failed the poly’s he would have been arrested by now. No doubt the man is strange though. Who lives with their parents their whole life and who supposedly goes back to bed after a boy has been kidnapped in front of his house? The man who kidnapped Jacob likely was parked somewhere around the video store and saw the boys approach and knew which way they would be taking home. Perhaps the abductor thought the boys lived in what was the Rassier house? I think investigators have wasted so much time on DR they have lost site on everything else.
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