Possible Confession in Rubio Case?

REPORTER:  Jeff Ferrell

DATE:    May 26, 2006

Did a prime suspect in a highly-publicized missing persons case confess to friends about that person's fate?  And if so, is that enough to return an indictment against him?  Those are questions now at the heart of the Cory Rubio Case.

In this continuing News 12 investigation, Shreveport Police tells us what they discovered when they flew down to Florida to speak with Rubio's ex-husband.  Her father told us his personal thoughts of the investigation, "my daughter was killed there on the military base (Barksdale AFB) by a United States Serviceman."

Jimmy Rubio told us he has absolutely no doubt what happened to his daughter.  But after seven years, neither he nor anyone else has been able to prove that her ex-husband, Jesse McGay, had anything to do with her disappearance.

But now, police told News 12 that people in contact with the former Barksdale Airman, who currently lives near Palm Beach, Florida, are afraid of him.  They're afraid because of what they say McGay admitted privately.  "Yes, he made some statements that were very disturbing that he might be involved in her disappearance," described Shreveport Homicide Detective Jimmy Muller.

Detective Muller explained fear is the reason why those interviewed want to remain anonymous.  "Why take a chance?  If this guy's done something terrible and you get on his list then you know, you could be in the same situation."

Muller said those interviewed echoed previous statements from those close to McGay.  But, he asked the rhetorical question, "If he told five people that, 'I killed my wife, and I did away with her', and there's no body, where do you go with that?"

"I believe that the military has got some of the most important parts of the information needed," said Jimmy Rubio.  This long-grieving father told us the U.S. Air Force has never told him anything.  He added, "if nothing did happen then why don't they release the facts."  And despite repeated attempts, News 12 has yet to get any comment, either.

The biggest obstacle to overcome:  There's no body.  But there is something new in that regard, said Muller.  "We did gain some information that's helpful in that area."

We're told, detectives will soon meet with the Caddo Homicide Screening Section, to figure out if the information from recent interviews is enough to proceed with a case against Jesse McGay.