John Ackroyd’s narrative of the day his stepdaughter, Rachanda Pickle, vanished has been a point of intense scrutiny. His version of events, recounted from the outset, presents a series of actions and decisions that have only deepened the mystery surrounding Rachanda’s disappearance.
Ackroyd stated that after dropping Linda at the resort, he drove east on Highway 20 towards the state maintenance shop in Bend. His intention, he claimed, was to repair snowplows. However, upon arrival, he reportedly learned that necessary parts were delayed. This explanation was contradicted by his supervisor, who asserted that there was ample work available for Ackroyd, casting doubt on the veracity of his claim for taking the day off.
Image: A photograph depicting a truck similar to John Ackroyd’s on Highway 20, relevant to his reported travels on the day of Rachanda Pickle’s disappearance.
Upon his return home, Ackroyd described finding Rachanda on the couch, covered with a blanket. He mentioned the television being on and the family’s kittens nestled on her lap. According to Ackroyd, he invited Rachanda to join him for a drive to photograph deer on the back roads near the junction. He stated that Rachanda declined, citing chores assigned by her mother as the reason. Following this, Ackroyd claimed he left the house.
In his account, Rachanda was gone when he returned home a couple of hours later. Notably, Ackroyd undertook minimal efforts to search for her at this point. Later, he proceeded to pick up Linda from work as scheduled. Returning to their compound that evening, the usual sight of Rachanda outside was absent.
Inside the home, no indications of a struggle or disturbance were apparent. Rachanda’s green nightgown lay on her bedroom floor, and her mother observed that her hairbrush, makeup, and earrings remained untouched. The usual household chores were undone; dishes were not in the dishwasher, and the floor was not vacuumed. Significantly, Rachanda, known for leaving notes when visiting neighbors, had left no such message.
That evening, an unusual event occurred: John Ackroyd initiated sexual intimacy with Linda. This detail became particularly significant to investigators due to its rarity. The couple’s infrequent sexual activity was a known point of contention, even acknowledged by Linda’s teenage son, Byron. Ackroyd himself later described the encounter to detectives as “great.”
Image: A document referencing the questioning of Linda Ackroyd and John Ackroyd regarding their sexual activity on the night Rachanda Pickle disappeared, highlighting the investigators’ focus on this unusual behavior.
As night deepened, Linda’s concern grew. “Where is she?” Linda asked Ackroyd, pressing him in the darkness of their highway compound. “You should know. You were here with her.” Ackroyd’s response was that he did not know Rachanda’s whereabouts. He advised Linda to delay calling the police until the following day.
The next morning, Linda contacted 911. Her demeanor was calm as she reported her homebody daughter missing to the dispatcher. When questioned about the delay in reporting, Linda explained she believed a 24-hour waiting period was necessary for missing person cases. The dispatcher, surprised, corrected her, stating, “No, that’s not true, not with children.” The dispatcher then asked the crucial question: “Who was the last person that saw her, do you know?” Linda’s matter-of-fact reply was stark: “Her stepdad.”
