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A murder victim - and a mystery
Who was Rian Thal? Varied portraits emerge.
New York City caterer Chubby Smith, who met Thal four years ago and came to Philadelphia to attend her funeral, said Thal was too busy to be involved with drugs. Thal's RiGirl company was eagerly sought out by clients, she said.
If Thal ever thought she was in danger, her Internet posts gave no sign. On Twitter she wrote about getting manicures with friends, playing with her cats, and going to strip clubs.
On April 15: "Oh my god I am having a foodgasm, chocolate chip bread pudding!!!!!"
On May 7: "Just got done working out!!!"
On June 26 she posted two messages asking if actor Patrick Swayze had died. Then, "Patrick Swayze is alive, THANK GOD, just a rumor."
On the morning of June 27, hours before she was killed, Thal, an Aries, posted a link to her horoscope.
Her friend Campbell, originally from Chester, said Thal never mentioned drugs. He was shocked to read about the cocaine in her apartment.
"Even still, I don't think she was really involved in it," he said. "Rian was a phenomenal girl."
Contact staff writer Jeff Gammage at 215-854-2415 or jgammage@phillynews.com.
Inquirer staff writers Allison Steele and John Shiffman contributed to this article.
