This is a case that is beginning to really bother me. I know when something doesn’t smell right, and the more I dig the less I like the stench.
If you are unfamiliar with this case you can get up to speed with reading a some of our earlier articles, here and here.
How does a 26 year old man, and the father of a three year old daughter just disappear into thin air?
Zachary Pittman had no money, no car, no cell phone, and lived in a sparsely populated part of Pear River, Louisiana. Yet at 11pm on June/24 2009 he did just that.
We received two phone calls today about the case, and both bothered me greatly. Finally the PIO for the Saint Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office returned my calls. Like PIO’s across the land he was gracious to a fault and had nothing to say of any substance. This is not unusual, it is an ongoing investigation, and no charges have been placed. He did however admit that some tips received about a month ago did not pan out, and that new leads were only coming in sporadically.
Pearl River is a small community, the population is approximately 2000 people. It is a community where everyone knows everyone. Yet no one is talking about Zachary Pittman. It stretches my fertile imagination that a man accustomed to the area would wander off into one of the local swamps and die.
The second phone call put the stink level up several notches. Yesterday I was talking to a well known investigator William Cobra Staubs. I told him the case as I see it. He is very good at investigating and his advice was ‘you have to move back to move forward’. What happened in the days leading up to the disappearance?
Todays second phone call, and for reasons of confidentiality I will not name the source at this stage, told a very interesting story. Two days before Zachary Pittman became a file number with the St Tammany Parish Sheriff Office he was involved in a fight with one Ricky Lavigne. The location and the reason for this fight are not known. However, it would seem that if this fight occurred it might have a very substantial bearing on the case.
I am being told that Ricky Lavigne is the ‘black sheep’ of the family, and also coincidentally the son of the mayor. The fight itself was likely over a girl, Chasity Campbell (SP).
Chasity apparently was playing both ends against the middle. She was the last person to see Zachary. Oh, and to add fuel to the fire, she moved in with Ricky Lavigne days after the disappearance.
So, we have a guy with no resources, what happened that night? I am being fed the line that Zachary Pittman told Chasity to leave for five minutes so that he could hide his stash of pills. That does not hold much water with me. Chasity comes back five minutes later and Zachary is missing.
I am pretty sure that I am not crazy, there is a story here that just does not hang together.
Lets find Zachary Pittman, and I know our readers can help.
Simon and Jan Barrett
36 users commented in " Zachary Pittman – The Plot Thickens "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackHow can readers like me help?
Would calling the governor’s office help? Would calling his congressman and Senator help?
I cannot travel to help, but am willing to make phone calls and or write letters.
God bless Cobra and you and Jan for all the good you do.
Has LE interrogated the girlfriend extensively? Have the searched Zach’s residence along with the girlfriend and Rick’s, along with their vehicles? It sounds like BIG TIME politics are running rampant in a small town. It seems like a motive of jealousy and revenge. I believe the girlfriend is the key to solving this case and her actions after the disappearance is telling. I hope Zach’s family finds some answers soon but I believe they will be stonewalled in their quest for justice. It sounds like corruption will get in the way of finding peace for Zach’s family. Small towns have a way of “burying” all their dirty little secrets. Simon, great work and keep the pressure up.
Simon & Jan- Was the fight reported to LE? Do we know if Chastity really left, I thought it was originally said that Zachary is the one who took off! Does anyone know where Ricky Lavigne was when Zachary disappeared?
So Chasity was the last person to see him? Sounds strange that she is not the key like Misty is in Haleighs case. Was she the only one there that night? jmo
I don’t think it takes a Rocket Scientist to figure out what happened to Zachary. I think somebody needs to put the pressure on Ricky, even if he is the Mayor’s Son..
And this Chastity woman even more so since she was there that night and is in the middle of the whole thing. Let her know she may be the next one to disappear. jmo
LE could plant drugs on chasity and throw her in a dungeon for 100 years..
works in florida..oh wait, it didn’t work..
nevermind.
Well, knock me over with a feather. I had no idea Pearl River was an incorporated town! They have a mayor and a police department (PRPD). At first I thought the altercation was with Slidell’s mayor’s son until I saw the name, looked it up, and found out PR is incorporated. Dang! Zachary lives outside the incorporated area which is why the sheriff’s office is in charge of the investigation.
I’m also thinking something is hinky about the girlfriend’s story about “come back in five minutes”. Must have been a real sacrifice for her to move in with the mayor’s son so soon after that night. Sarcasm intentional.
I agree with Cobra, everyone needs to list the events of the days leading up to the disappearance.
I knew my hinky meter was right about the girl who said she was told to leave and come back in 5 minutes..hinky, hinky.I’d bet my bottom dollar that he left with that girl, Chastity Campbell.
Ricky Lavigne is 48 YO
The only Chastity Campbell I can find is from N. Louisiana in Calhoun. I wonder if this could be the same one, she is 34?
oops,meant 49
I want to thank Simon and Jan for another great article. Chasity was the only person to have been polographed because she was the last person to see Zach. She actually passed! LE are the ones who told me about the fight with Ricky L. I had heard about it and confronted LE and they told me it was true, but they did not bother to tell me early on in the investigation. I feel strongly about some of the things going on but I have to be careful what I say. I wanted to thank Help! Search & Rescue Dog Team, they did an outstanding and professional job yesterday with the search. Even though we did not find Zach, they will not stop till they do. Also theyre were other people there who heiped, so Iwant to do a shout out to them too! Everyone has been great helping me and my family, it makes me have faith in humanity again. One day we will know the truth. May God Bless you all for your help and concern.
Chasity Campbell has quite the criminal record.
11/3/2008 – Distburing the peace while intoxicated.
8/12/2009 – Possession of marijuana and drug paraphenalia.
10/1/2009 – Possession of stolent property.
and the police are taking her word at face value? Dang right it STINKS!
http://www.sttammanyclerk.org
and it doesn’t end there. She had more on her record.
Possession of schedule II and IV narcotics and SIMPLE BATTERY. I wouldn’t be surprised if SHE lost her temper that night.
From the mayor’s house to Zachary’s last seen address is nearly 9 miles. A bit far to walk in flip-flops. Could he have been met (ambushed) along the road?
The mayor’s son is 49 years old, a bit old for scrapping over a gal, I would think. No luck here either with Chastity. With women, one never knows, she could have had several names by now or no records in her name, depending on her age. Is she the mother of the “step-daughter” referred to in earlier articles?
If this guy fell into a gator nest, or has amnesia or something, that’s one thing, but a coverup by LE would be outrageous. No matter what, they should have publicized his disappearance more vocally. He could have fallen, injured himself, didn’t know where he was, and hitched a ride to California. How is anyone to know he’s missing if law enforcement doesn’t make it known?
The family says they put up flyers and someone else takes them down. Why?
seems she is behind in her child support too
CAMPBELL, CHASITY 11/30/1982 $1,405.75 PEARL RIVER LA
Thanks, yucksituation. I tried to access records on that site and couldn’t, then I saw your post and noticed they spelled her named as Chasity, not Chastity. Bingo! She has a criminal record that goes back to 2000, at least. Drugs, intoxication, stolen property, battery. Yeah, I’d take her word for it, reliable that she must be. At least two felonies. She has her share of traffic violations, too. She’s about 28 years old.
not only did the family put up flyers, but the news & paper did do some coverage, not enough, but some. i don’t believe it was even covered throughout louisiana because my brother would’ve called me on that one knowing i went to school with zach…i am hoping he does have amnesia, that way at least he’ll be able to come home at some point…but the facts must be faced…
It’s hard to come up with any good scenerios without more information. Hopefully there will be some leads soon by getting some coverage on the case.
I do agree though. Something definitely stinks. Just the idea that she say’s she was ask to leave for 5 minutes so he could hide his pills doesn’t even make sense. What would make one feel the need to tell something like that? If he considered her a girlfriend, I doubt he was hiding anything from her. I guess without knowing more, I don’t understand her need to mention drugs. Unless she is truly innocent and really cares about him and thinks it’s relevant to him being missing is the only reason I can think of. What kind of pills was he taking? Was there a medical reason that he needed them?
Hopefully we will find out some more information soon. Cobra is right though, you have to move back before you can move forward. What was going on in his life in the days & weeks before he came up missing?
Don’t let go of the bone Simon. You’re just getting started.
Oh yes this digging around will most defently open up a hornet nest.Young men dont just vanish,an not check in with their Mothers.An the fact he had children.Smells fishy to me!!!
This is serious,an he has to be found,Someone has anwsers!!!.
God Bless this his mother,an his children.An i will surly pray for this young man,as well as his family.There no way he just walked away an vabished into thin air!!!
Cchristyra–Who told you the girlfriend passed a LDT? I assume you are Zach’s mother. I think LE is probably giving the runaround so you don’t push to hard or dig too deep. Maybe she was taking a drug that can influence the LDT results or maybe LE flat out lied, because usually LE will not discuss the results of a LDT. I believe it has to be the girlfriend or Ricky, or both together. You deserve answers and I would not stop until I got them. Hang in there and we will all pray for you and your family. You have an ally In Simon and Jan and we hope to see some progress soon so keep us all updated. Good luck in your search for Zach and your pursuit of justice.
There are some details that cannot be put onthese posts…but it looks like the readers /followers of this case are on the right track. Chasity was told the day before she was polygraphed. There are things you can do/take to pass a polygraph. That is why they are most of the tim not admissable in court. Zach left his home on foot and was supposed to meet Chasity up the road. She was supposed to pick him up in her car. Zach knew that area well. She CLAIMS he never showed up. She CLAIMS she never saw him again. Yes Zach had an altercation w/ R. Levigne, and yes he & Chasity moved in together just days later. None of these people involved have squeeky clean records….but LE takes them at their word! Zach did not get amnesia, did not fall into gator nest, or fall off the face of the earth. Zach’s demise has EVERYTHING to do w/ these people mentioned. BUt LE wont hardly touch them….wonder why?
Maybe Chasity passed the lie detector test,because she omitted key info, or she was not asked the right questions by the police. It sounds like she did leave for five min and it says Zach left on foot and was going to meet her, but maybe thats all the police pressed her for. IDK, I do however keep Zach in my thoughts, and read all of the posts about him. Hoping the pressure Simon is putting on the Sherriffs office will reopen the case, and the family can get some answers.
LE may not be hardly touching it.As they may have been told to back off by someone who holds more power than they do.Maybe there not much resorses there to help.
But i tend to believe that more should be done.Small towns where everyone knows everyone,an thier buisness.Theres anwsers to be found. It just who will talk first. People dont dissappear in a 5 min span,unless there snatched in a car,or get in a car,an something happens after.I to believe this is a case,that must be started from scratch.
The love triangle could be where the anwsers are.or if he did have pills in his home,someone may have wanted those.But if the girl had been there,or waiting she would have seen someone drive by.The girl is the start,an then to those he had fought with,all his friends,an foes need serious questions asked pressure will cause someone maybe to get nervious an start spilling.But if they are scared of someone in power,they will never talk.I do hope an pray anwsers come for this Mother.I it has to be devastating waiting,an wanting anwsers.
But i know about small towns hushed up cold cases. One of my friends ,in a very small town near where i live now,my old stomping grounds has a cold case of yrs.She took a ride in her car,with another female we knew.An on a dirt road wooded area, short cut to a old country store she was said by the female driving her car that they were headed to a old country store. She said That Lori jumped out an ran for the woods.Why? an searches started there,no body.Months later her body was found in the sames searched area by hunters.Only bones,cloths.No shoes no purse.Ruled homicide,No anwsers sence then.Why???
We did know her habits as shes been in an out our family for yrs.An that she drawed money out the bank over 2,ooo that day. The woman with her was questioned several times,an today still no anwsers.An like Zack the last one to see her has never had pressure placed on her,or gave any anwsers she walks around today.Its like OH well!!
Another cold case where i was raised small town.I also knew this girl she Called her grandad who raised her,to pick her up in the wee hrs at a old country store on a long desolte hwy.He wasnt able to pick her up,as she had always hopped her a ride with friends,he was old sick an didnt go to her…Shes never been seen sence I to think she met with foul play.But its so wooded on that dark hwy she was at,she could have been dumped anywhere.Serches for her were short.
Its happening everywhere.This young man deserves every resorse to be used to find him.He deserves for someone to stand up,an tell the truth.I from reading about him,do not believe he would just dissappear,an leave a Mother ,chldren,a new gril friend behind.An how could he have,as i have read he had no way out of there except by foot,or picked up.Something happened,an someones not telling.If LE hasnt been interested in the case.They will be by the time Jan,an Simon finish,an all of us if we start pushing for anwsers.A yrs way to long for this Mother not to have some anwser!!!
Simon I agree, something is very fishy about this story. I believe that the girl and this mayor’s son is the key to the whole disappearance of Zachary Pittman. The mayor is protecting his son and this girl, because the sheriffs department would of done a better job of looking for him and the flyers would not of been torn down, sounds like a cover up to me. I think everyone that reads these articles and comments need to stay involved and get our comments out and stir it all up and hopefully Christy can get the answers that she is looking for. I know this young man and Zachary would not just walk off late into the night and wander into the swamp, he was too smart for that. Besides he would not leave his daughter and his mom like that, he loved them too much. Some one has done something to harm this young man and we need to find out who it is and see that they pay for what they did. Keep investigating guys, it will all surface soon………
My comments about the possibility of any missing person or Zachary failing into a gator nest, or having amnesia, etc., were some of the reasons WHY law enforcement should search for EVERY missing person at the BEGINNING. I’m not saying this is what happened to Zach. I’m with the family and most of the posters here, I’d first look at his so-called girlfriend and the newest guy she’s living with, son of the mayor, but STPSO should have called for searches very early on. There are advantages to finding someone immediately, no matter what. If they didn’t do that, they foot some of the blame. If they didn’t handle the case properly because of political connections, they are again at fault.
I have to agree with Robins post@ 1:20am. We hear all the time LDTs are only as GOOD as the one who administers them. I think they need to look at both Ricky and Chasity. The power of Politics needs to be halted!!!!
It should never matter about the age or prominence of a human life that is missing.
My heart goes out to this family and my prayers for answers to bring them peace and Justice.
lfj- ita, But LE, if politics isn’t involved, tends to jump on the bandwagon of “He/she is an adult and can disappear if they want to” , so much valuable time is lost before LE realizes that’s not so! Even with minors, if a child has ever run away from home or this is a problem going on in the home, LE tends to believe that the minor ran away. imo, this makes the minor susceptible to predators!
I was told that Chasity passed the polygrah by the detective I am working with. I have asked if Ricky could be polograhped. The answer was only if Ricky would consent to one. I dont understand he was in a fight two days before Zach was missing with Zach to me that is enought to get a warrant for a polygraph. I dont know a lot about the law its just common sense. Then again if he was asked and he refused to me that means you have something to hide, of course as far as I know LE have not asked him. The detective said he is working on a lead and he has time this week to pursue it. I am so glad he has the time to fit it in! Thanks everyone for staying with this and special thanks to Simon and Jan, I love you guys.
CChristyra, My prayers are with you.
I will let you know unfortunately a polygraph cannot be forced by a warrant. The person has to agree to one. I do agree if he was asked and refused you may think he has something to hide. Stay Strong! God Bless you.
My thoughts are with you guys. Zachary and I were child hood friends.
I do hope Zachary is found alive and well.
I met Zach a few time and he was a cool guy, but he did do drugs. He was trippin when I met him. I’ve never held that against him. I really hope yall find him.
Zachary had a huge loving heart. He was just the sweetest kid. It saddens me greatly to think someone may have harmed him.
Somebody knows something keeping the pressure on the girl, I think she will break.
Christy ~ I hope you are holding up ok. You are such a strong person.
~Bridget
Thank you Bridget, to agirl, I am glad that you dont hold that against Zach, just because he did drugs does it mean that we should care any less? We will find him it is just a matter of time. I presume you are from Pearl River if you are, please ask around the people there if they have any news on Zach. But wait a mintue, nonones talking! Its amazing after 55 and half weeks not one shred of evidence of him missing! Guys he just fell of the face of the earth. I didnt think it was possible but there you have it. I keep hitting brick walls, maybe someone has the answer?
I just still can’t believe it.
Me and zach grew up together in slidell he will always be my boy we had some great times together I know him very well, I cant belive all this shit happened they need to bring in as many dogs as possible and find him, if theres anything at all i can do for the family including devin let me know my prayers go out for you bro boys for life Jordan
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