SEARCHING FOR JOHN SPIRA

John was on AMW tonight. We’ve been waiting a long time for this and though it was just a short statement about him we’re so grateful to AMW for airing anything at all. Most missing men never receive any national media attention so again, we’re happy they aired his picture. We’d also like to thank Fox News Chicago for the spot they did on John and for their continued interest in his story. Thanks for watching! Stephanie

I think maybe John will be mentioned on AMW this Saturday, July 5, 2008. I’m not positive but the AMW website episode index shows that John will be featured. The show will feature 9 fugitives but John will be the only missing person. Please tune in and hopefully John will get a few seconds of national air time. We desperately need it.

kurt swanson | bluesphotos@aol.com | IP: 172.16.10.1

you may as well start to heckle me because i said no too. i find it strange the family has to make john out to be some rock star. i loved his music too but find no need to provide my treasured photos of john to help find them. i want to remember as i chose. the family has plenty of photos and i am sure video too of him just being john. so WTF. so come out sat 6/28/08 and start to heckle ill be there.

When I was in town back in April, I met with family members and friends of Lisa Stebic and Stacy Peterson. Stacy Peterson’s group has a lot of amazing volunteers who offered to help us out with John’s case. They have been investigating John’s situation and can hopefully help organize the sonar searching. So while it may seem really quiet; there are still things happening behind the scenes. The police say they are still investigating but, according the last email I received in response to a question I asked them, they are not “obligated” to tell me anything. The only person they are “obligated” to speak with is Suzanne. (The woman John would have been divorced from on 3/8/07.) So, I’ve been extremely fortunate that they’ve spoken to me at all throughout this ordeal. I don’t quite get why it’s an “obligation” or a burden; I would think they would want to keep family members updated so we believe the case is truly being investigated as they say. They suggested that maybe I should speak with Suzanne to get my information. Does anyone else see the twisted irony in that? I wonder why they don’t have to speak with John’s parents. As far as the fire “investigation” nothing came of it. Last I heard no insurance claim was made on the loss which, according to newpaper reports around the time of the fire, was estimated to be in the range of $750,000.00. Strange. Oh, and the police still want to believe in the possibility of John’s voluntary disappearance, in the middle of a snow storm, in February, with no belongings, no money, no transportation….It’s not even within the realm of possibilities.

Don’t forget this Sunday is the walkathon for Lisa Stebic. I’ll be there to help out. I’ve been told that lots of people have registered for the walk and there should be a great turnout. I was hoping that Aerial Image Inc., would do some sonar searching for John this weekend and am still hoping, but unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it’s a go at this point. So, instead, I will pass out lots of John’s flyers. If anyone is interested in helping just email spirawebsite@johnspira.com. Thanks-Stephanie

America’s Most Wanted is working on a website for John and they’ve asked for video. I’ve given what I have but mine’s mostly old. I had planned on videotaping John when he was supposed to come visit me in Phoenix last February and we had plans for him to play with a local band here. Unfortunately John never came and I flew out to Chicago the same day he was to have arrived in Phoenix so I could start searching. Needless to say, I didn’t get my video. Soooo, if anyone has any they’d like to share please email spirawebsite@johnspira.com. Back in May we asked the manager (who told me John was his best friend) of the band John founded, the Rabblerousers, Rick Reminger, but here’s what he had to say??????

“From: rabble@rabblerousersband.com [mailto:rabble@rabblerousersband.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 6:32 PM
To: Rachelfind
Cc: smcneil1@cox.net
Subject: RE: Missing Person John Spira

You are not authorized to use the bands name, music or images without the written consent of our legal representatives. This includes the use of unauthorized videos and photos as well as audio, web links, etc. If you continue to pursue this course of action we will seek a legal remedy and damages pursuant to all applicable laws. Please respect our request and the privacy of our family’s in this matter. Thank you.”

YES, HE THREATENED TO SUE US!!!!??? We’ve also asked, no begged, the band photographer for photos of John and here’s what he had to say…..

“I am the sole owner of the photos that appear on my website, www.pbase.com/soulfulimpressions. I am a friend of the band and want to see the band going forward without the distraction of this terrible turn of events. I feel the family should have plenty of photos of John. Therefore I see no reason to contribute my photos. Please do not confuse this with my not wanting to have his family find an outcome. I consider John a friend and I am sure he would want the band, that he helped build go forward. My simple band photos will not have the impact that those photos that the family has. Therefore as of < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />May 17th, 2007, I withdraw my permission for the use of my copyrighted images of The Rabble Rousers Band found on the above website www.pbase.com/soulfulimpressions.
< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> “. Kurt Swanson

Unfortunately we don’t have alot of recent photos of John, nor do we have any of the professional quality taken by the photographer and don’t understand why sharing video/pictures of John would adversely affect these guys. We’ve even offered to pay. We can’t figure it out either, but since they won’t help us, is there anyone else who might be able to? Thanks

The Family of Lisa Ruttenberg Stebic would like to announce

a special event to remember and honor Lisa on the one-year anniversary of her disappearance.

There will be a Fundraiser Walk in Plainfield, IL

benefiting the Guardian Angel Community Services of Joliet

*in Partnership with the Exchange Club of Plainfield

Where: Village Green, 648 West Chicago Street, Plainfield, IL

When: 1:00 pm Sunday, April 27th

Register Online or make a donation here

The one year anniversary of the disappearance of Lisa Ruttenberg Stebic is fast approaching. Lisa went missing without a trace on April 30th, 2007. Lisa’s parents and family have decided that they would like to give back to the community that has done so much for our family. To remember Lisa, we are holding a Fundraiser Walk called “Lisa’s Walk for Guardian Angel Community Services” on Sunday, April 27th.

Thank you so much for volunteering in the past for events for our missing loved one, Lisa Ruttenberg Stebic. We’re hoping you will consider to volunteer again for this fundraiser walk in honor of Lisa. Attached to this email you will find a volunteer registration form in two formats. One is in Excel that you can fill in and email back to Brandy Fanter, one of our event co-chairs at bfanter@cvgdesign.com. If you don’t have Excel, print out the pdf volunteer form and mail it to Brandy to the address on the form. In partnership with the Exchange Club of Plainfield, I know this will be a fantastic event.

The purpose of Lisa’s Walk will be to remember Lisa Stebic, to raise awareness of domestic violence and to assist in the prevention of future domestic violence by donating the proceeds from this event to the Guardian Angel’s Community Services’ Groundwork Domestic Violence Program, Sexual Assault Service Center and Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

April is National Child Abuse Awareness month, and the newly chartered Plainfield Exchange Club will partner with Lisa’s family to hold this event. Exchange Clubs is known as America’s service club whose members make a difference within their communities through programs of service in Americanism, youth, community service and their National program of preventing child abuse.

Guardian Angel Community Services, formerly Guardian Angel Home, was founded in Joliet in 1897 as an orphanage, run by the Sisters of Saint Francis of Mary Immaculate. Guardian Angel Community Services offer Domestic Violence crisis services, counseling, foster care and many domestic and child abuse prevention programs. They strive to help victims become survivors.

The Plainfield Exchange Club encourages area businesses to become sponsors of the event.

Please pass on the word about this fundraiser walk on April 27th.. Direct people to http://www.findlisastebic.com where they can find more information and register online.

Email me here at findlisastebic@gmail.com with any questions.

Thank you so much for your past support. It means the world to Lisa’s family.

Melanie Greenberg

Lisa’s cousin

Open Attachment Volunteer Form.pdf
Open Attachment Volunteer Form.xls

As many of you may know, John’s wife, (who was supposed to have been his ex-wife on March 8, 2007), Suzanne Spira, moved to Buffalo, NY several months ago. I believe her name before she married John was Suzanne Dworski. We are not in contact and haven’t been since shortly after John disappeared. I’m needing to get ahold of her and if anyone might know how I can do that please email me at spirawebsite@johnspira.com. Her lawyer’s name and address would be very helpful too. Thanks, Stephanie