Jason Jolkowski - Missing Since 2001

One thing that happens when you have a drive to find and help the missing; you get to know about others are that do as well. Some like me just blog about the missing. Others like Kelly Jolkowski do something about it.

Kelly’s son, Jason Jolkowski vanished on June 13, 2001. Jason was just 20 years old and his car had been in the shop all week when he called into work and told them he had no way to get there. He told the manager he would walk but arrangements were made to meet at Benson High School eight blocks from his home.

He was last seen by his brother Michael bringing in the trash cans after trash pickup. He never made it to Benson High School, or at least by the time his manager got there to pick him up (30-45 minutes later), and has not been seen since.

His family has never given up on finding him and instead of feeling helpless, Kelly and her husband have not only continued to pursue answers in their son’s disappearance, but been instrumental in helping other families of the missing by establishing Project Jason.

Kelly is now pushing for new legislation as well as leading efforts to better use the national DNA database to help identify the estimated 40,000 to 50,000 unidentified bodies in the country.

Her efforts include encouraging families of the missing to enter their missing loved one’s DNA into CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), so that unidentified bodies can be compared.

She is also trying for legislation preventing remains of unidentified people from being cremated or buried without first identifying them, at least without a DNA sample to enter into CODIS.

According to Kelly, there are currently 8 states that have either put this legislation into place or are close to passing it, numerous other states are considering it.

Kelly’s son Jason Jolkowski disappeared from Omaha, Nebraska on June 13, 2001around 10:45am. He was wearing black dress shoes, black dress pants, a white Chicago Cubs or Sammy Sosa t-shirt and carrying his red work t-shirt. He was also wearing a blue Chicago Cubs baseball cap.

We are all still hoping that Jason is found or at the very least, Kelly and her family finally get the answers they need as to what happened to Jason.

I would like to personally thank her for her amazing compassion and work she has done for the missing.

For more information on Jason about this case or information regarding Project Jason, please visit their website.

Update 6/23/08 4:17PM

Good news. Nicholas is alive and safe and back home with his family.

See Updated news link here.

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Original Blog

Authorities are searching for 12-Year-Old Nicholas Dunn after he disappeared from his Parkville, MO home yesterday. Nicholas apparently had a fight with his parents regarding chores and left his home and was last seen in the Riss Lake area around 12:00PM Noon.

Police state he initially spent some of the day at a classmate’s home. The classmate’s parents were unaware people were searching for Nicholas at the time. They dropped him off at a home about a block away from his real home, where Nicholas told the family he lived.

Family and friends have distributed fliers overnight in the search for Nicholas, but so far there has been no sight of him.

Nicholas Dunn is described as being 4 feet and 11 inches tall and weighs about 90 pounds.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call the Parkville Police Department at (816) 741-4454 or the Tips Hotline at (816) 268-5086.

Update 6/23/08 4:23PM

Great news. Angelina is safe and has returned back home with her family! Click Here for complete news story.

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Original Blog

I am not sure why this story is just now coming out (a full six days after her disappearance which is precious time lost) but 11-year-old Angelina Penny Hernandez has been missing since last Saturday, June 14th. She left her home on foot at 2400 block on Wulff Lane at 11 a.m. and has not been seen since. Reports say she is considered at risk because of her age. (Well no duh right?)

Angelina is Native American, 5′2″ tall and 120lbs. She has shoulder length wavy brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white tank top with the word “Baby” on the front, blue Capri pants and dark green/light green camouflage shoes.

Anyone who has seen the missing girl or has information about her is urged to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department at (916) 874-5115.

July 2008

This Month’s Featured Case

Zachary Michael-Cole Bernhardt

The Disappearance

When researching this case I found there were so many questions and not many answers. One thing is a fact. In the early morning hours of September 11, 2000, 8-year-old Zachary Michael-Cole Bernhardt was fast asleep in his own bed at one point, but had vanished into the night at another.

Zach and his mother Leah Hackett lived in Clearwater, Florida in a modest apartment in Savannah Trace. According to police, Leah Hackett stated she had insomnia and could not sleep so she decided to go for a walk.

Accounts vary as to what happened next. Supposedly Leah went for a swim and a walk but her accounts vary from being gone fifteen minutes to two hours. When she returned she found Zach missing. It is unclear whether Law Enforcement ever considered Hackett a suspect but if so, it was not mentioned in anything I have read.

The Neighbor?

There was a name that did come up as a suspect in Zach’s disappearances however. His name is Kevin Jalbert. According to reports, Kevin Jalbert solicited an undercover officer to help him abduct rape and kill a young boy in Clearwater.

Jalbert, 42 was arrested in June of 2001 on charges after he told the undercover detective that he had kidnapped and murdered boys in the past and gotten away with it. Police would not reveal how they learned Jalbert was looking to abduct a child, but they set up a meeting with him in Clearwater with the undercover detective.

One of the things he told the detective was that he would use bleach to flush DNA evidence off his victim. Detectives found Clorox bleach and a funnel in Jalbert’s vehicle.

After Jalbert’s arrest, authorities searched his home and cars and found that his computer contained multiple images of child porn. It was also determined that he visited a landfill two weeks after the disappearance of Zach. He had also been considered a suspect in a child abuse case prior to 2000.

One interesting fact is that Jalbert lived in Savannah Trace, the same apartment complex as Zach, and in fact they were neighbors. Although Jalbert was never officially named a suspect in the disappearance of Zach Bernhardt and no evidence to support such a theory was ever found, in 2004 he was convicted on the charges stemming from his run-in with the undercover detective.

He was charged with numerous counts of child pornography as well as solicitation of premeditated kidnapping, sexual assault and murder. According to the Florida inmate website, Jalbert’s release date is not until 2038.

Kevin Jalbert - Currently serving prision sentence

Whether or not Jalbert had any connection to the disappearance of Zachary Bernhardt, it is very apparent that he is a sick individual and is where he should be for the safely of other children.

An Abduction too Close to Home

Another strange event happened that may or may not be connected to this case. In January 2002 a 5-year-old boy was kidnapped from Savannah Trace, again the same apartment complex from which Zach resided.

The boy was abducted from the parking lot complex. Witnesses, including playmates said they saw the suspect driving a white pick up truck with ice cream symbols. He was taken about 65 miles northeast of Clearwater to Sumter County where he was sexually assaulted and placed in a trash bin behind a closed restaurant at about 4 AM.

The child managed to crawl out of the dumpster and flag down a passing motorist who called 911.
Police stated they did not believe the abduction of the 5-year-old and the disappearance of 8-year-old Zach from the same apartment complex were related.

Photo of a Bound Boy

In another odd twist in the case, in September 2001 a photo of child bound and bruised was found outside a grocery store and was said to have had a striking resemblance to Zachary Bernhardt. The photo was of a blonde boy bound. It was found in the parking lot of City Market in a mountain town about 55 miles west of Denver, Colorado.

Police were never able to determine if the boy in the photo was actually Zach, or who the child was, or even if the child was alive for that matter.

Photo found in parking lot of Denver, CO Grocery store in 2001

Where it Stands

Some thought Zachary’s mother Leah Hackett had something to do with the disappearance, reasoning that it would have been a mighty strange coincidence that Zach was taken in such early morning hours and in such a small window frame. How did the abductor know Leah Hackett was gone? Did they watch the apartment? According to her, it was random that she went out that night so it would not have been conducive to anyone’s time frame or logical for that matter for someone to be sitting and watching that apartment at 2 AM in the morning.

According to reports, over the previous 14 years before Zach’s disappearance, Leah Hackett had a list of 11 different addresses. In fact, Leah and Zach were facing eviction when Zach went missing for non payment of rent, which would have been the second eviction in less than two years.

Some think that it wasn’t Leah Hackett at all but Kevin Jalbert that had something to do with Zach’s disappearance. After all, he lived right there, he had bragged that he had recently killed a boy and evidence pointed to the fact that he was certainly warped. Jalbert to this day has never admitted any role in Zach’s disappearance though.

Then there was the pick up truck with the ice cream symbols. Could the man that abducted a 5-year-old from the Savannah Trace parking lot and assaulted him, leaving him in the trash bin; could he have been the one that had something to do with Zach’s disappearance?Could it have been someone totally different? Someone neither authorities nor anyone else know about? What happened to Zachary Michael-Cole Bernhardt?

Zachary Bernhardt would be 17 today. The above photo is an age progressed photo of what he might look like today.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Clearwater Police Department
727-562-4422

Related links and Articles

The Charley Project - Zachary Bernhardt
Clues still elusive in case of missing boy
Bound Boy Photo May Show Florida Child
Florida Inmate Kevin Jalbert

Do you recognize this cute little guy? 

On April 9, 2008 he was located by Baltimore City Police Department wondering by himself in the street. He was on the 3000 block of Rucket Ave, Baltimore City, Maryland. Little is known about this child including his name. He has braided hair and appears to be about three years of age. He is 2′6″ tall and  weighs 25lbs with black hair and black eyes.

Anyone with information that may lead to the identity of this child should contact the Baltimore City Department of Social Services at 443-423-6300.

Update 6/23/08 4:28PM

Great news! (three for three on the missing I have featured today! WooHoo!)

William Benitez has been found safe in Galveston, Tx. Police are still searching for his alledged abductor, Antonio Granado.

See complete news story Here.

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Original Blog

On Wednesday, June 18th at approximately 1:09AM, Rockingham County deputies were called out to a home on Stephanie Lane in Madison, NC.

According to reports, several people forced their way into the residence through a backdoor including a female, beat the family and took 17-year-old William Alexander Benitez by knifepoint, leaving in a 1993 black Honda Civic. William Benitez has not been seen since.

 William Alexander Benitez

Later the same day the Civic was involved in a head on collision in which the driver of the Civic got out and left the scene.

Investigators found a suitcase full of clothing, pictures and pay stubs in the vehicle. They have since tied those as well as the tag on the car to 18-year-old Antonio Granado. Authorities have since spread the search area from North Carolina to Texas where police believe the abductors are headed and where Granado is from.

Wanted: Antonio Dejesus Granado

It seems this home invasion and abduction of a 17-year-old teen, may be part of a string of home invasions that have occurred within a span of three days.

On Thursday after the abduction of Benitez, two men stormed through another home, beating and pistol whipping its occupants.

There has been an Amber Alert issued for William Alexander Benitez who stands 5 ft 7in tall and weighs 162lbs. He has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a blue-striped shirt and jeans.

His alleged abductor, Antonio Dejesus Granado is 18-years-old, Hispanic and is 5ft 6in tall with brown hair and brown eyes, weighing 138lbs.

There has been an arrest warrant issued for Granado, charging him with kidnapping and burglary.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Dana Taylor of the Rockingham Country Sheriff’s Office at 634-3238 or Crime Stoppers at 349-9683.

Related Links and Articles:

 Deputies say 17-year-old kidnapped; Amber Alert issued
Amber Alert remains in effect for abducted teen

Click on Image to Enlarge

May 1, 2008 Seminole Producer Article on Colton Levi Clark

Update 4/30/08 8:06PM

Update from a poster. See post #10. It states:

Friends of Willie Says:
April 30, 2008 at 10:07 pm e

The Ithaca Police and New York State Police have determined that there was no foul play involved. Meaning that there is no connection to the alleged “Smiley Face Murders”. Please see this post in our blog.

Click here for Link to Blog

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Update 4/30/08 12:24PM

The body of missing college student William Jacobson in a small pond on campus. Complete article here.

My thoughts and prayers are with William’s family and friends.

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Orginal Blog

If any of you have followed my blogs, you know that I have continuously pointed out what a strange “coincidence” it is that so many of our young college aged men have turned up missing. Most of the time they have came from a bar or party, sometime after midnight and somehow end up alone.

On April 27th, 19-year-old William “Willie” Jacobson disappeared from Ithaca, NY after previously attending a party. According to reports, William was last seen walking away from the party around 4:00AM and was believed that he was returning to his dorm room on campus.

According to William’s friend CJ Knowles who was one of the last people to see him before he disappeared, “We have kind of a student effort going on right now. We’ve spent all of last night searching through the woods probably about 40 of us organized last night,” Knowles said.

Jacobson’s friends describe him as a “serial text messager.” When nobody received a message in a few days, they knew they had a problem.

His friends took matters into their own hands after filing a police report, setting up a Facebook alert, and posting fliers. Firefighters, police and volunteers trek through the woods looking for 19-year old Ithaca College freshmen William Jacobson.

Nearly one hundred people are involved in the search.

“Predominately the areas surrounding Ithaca college that a pedestrian could reach on foot. There’s a lot of wooded area in this immediate area. And a lot of hiking trails in the area” says Ithaca Police Chief Ed Vallely.

Police say Jacobsen has been known hike, especially in the South Hill area.

Jacobson was dressed like William Shakespeare as the party was a costume party. The picture shown was taken that night and he was dressed with black slacks, a white button down shirt, dark blue vest and dress shoes.

If you know or see anything you contact police at 607-272-3245, or public safety at 607-274-3333.

Links and Articles:
Search continues for missing IC student
Search Is On For Missing College Student

*As a sidenote, I have received numerous emails in the past few days regarding the “Smiley Face Gang” and the fact that we may be on to something with these disappearances and drownings being connected. I am NOT saying this disappearance is, but I wanted to address it to let you all know that yes, I am aware of the articles. The latest one can be found here.

Update 4/7/08 10:51PM

Still no sight of Jeffrey Stone. He has been missing since March 24th after he left his home around 12:30PM that day after a disagreement with his stepmother, Lynn Stone about cleaning his room. According to reports, he left with his dogs. However, his dogs have since returned with no sign of where Jeffrey went.

A ground search ensued for the 15-year-old with a 100 or more volunteers, many on horseback. There have been no credible sightings of Jeffrey or any evidence pointing to where he has gone.

His father, Jeff Stone gave an emotional plea for Jeffrey’s safe return. “After 10 days of a severe emotional roller coaster, our family wants Jeffrey back.” Stone said. “All we ask is that anyone who knows where he is or has seen him to contact police. Read full article here.

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Original Blog

There is not much info or media coverage on a missing Gadsden, Alabama teen that I could find. 15-year-old Jeffrey Blake Stone disappeared Monday, March 24th while walking to his home on Littleton Cutoff Road between noon and 1 p.m. He has not been seen or heard from since.

Jeffrey is a student at Sardis High School. He is described as 6-2 and weighs 155 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes and was wearing a tan Carhartt jacket, plaid shirt, jeans and a baseball cap when he was last seen.

Anyone with information about Stone is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 546-2825.

News Article:
Officials need help finding missing teen

Update 3/31/08 9:49AM

The search for Jody Paul Bourgeois ended Friday evening when his father discovered his son’s car, with the body of his son inside, submerged in New River Canal. See complete news article here.

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19-year old Jody Paul Bourgeois has been missing for a week now. According to friends and family, the last time Jody was seen was last Saturday morning, March 22nd at around 1:30AM when he had a party with some of his friends in St. Amant, LA. According to reports, it is believed that Jody Bourgeois may have been headed to Baton Rouge.

His 1995 white four-door Nissan Maxima is also missing. His family has repeatedly called his cell phone but states that now the phone’s voicemail box is full.

Jody’s mom said that it was unlike her son to disappear like this and that he had never done it before.

Jody’s family has distributed over 3,000 flyers all over the surrounding areas. Myspace bulletins have been posted about Jody Bourgeois and his disappearance. “If at least one person somewhere sees it….” Marchand, Jody’s mom stated. “It’s devastating. Now I know how other people feel when this happens. No matter how old they are, they are still your child.”

Jody Paul Bourgeois (or Jo Jo to his friends) is described as 5 ft 11 in tall, weighing about 180lbs. He was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and a brown ball cap. He has hazel eyes and short blondish/brown hair. Jody has a dragon tattoo that begins at his wrist and runs up his lower left arm. The word “Caiden” is tattooed on his upper left arm, which according to Jody’s mom is the name of his 14-month-old son.

His vehicle is described as a white four-door Nissan Maxima, license plate number OIX 835.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office at 621-8301.

News Articles:
APSO seeking info on missing St. Amant man