SEARCHING FOR JOHN SPIRA

Most of you probably already heard that the body found in the DesPlaines River was not John. Though I didn’t think it would be it’s nonetheless disappointing because we all want this to be over finally.

What I find interesting and appalling at the same time is that the national media, which was all over this story when they thought it might be Stacy or Lisa, failed to even slightly follow up on the story when it was determined the body was a male. Why don’t the producers of the national media news outlets believe that America would be interested in a story of a missing man? Some of the local news outlets did report on the story. Ben Bradley from ABC news always does a great job in reporting on John’s case and asks the same question. We also had stories in the Chicago Trib, Kane County Chronicle and WBBM and we’re always thankful to those who report the story. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that if there’s not media attention on the case, then there won’t be any resources either thus media attention is a must.

That being said, we will get some national exposure once Investigation Discovery airs it’s one hour episode on John. It was supposed to air in the spring or early summer but looks like it’s been pushed back to the end of the year. I’ll do a post once I know the air date.

Thanks for all your emails and support while this was going on; they’re much appreciated! Stef

I’ve been told that the body in the Des Plaines River is that of a male rather than a female as first thought. A couple reporters have called asking what I think of that and while I was shocked when first told by one of the reporters, I’m not thinking or hoping that it’s John. I am hoping they are able to positively identify the remains soon so some family can get a little closure. I have contacted the Will County Coroner’s office so that they are aware of John’s case. It would be nice if the national media would put the spotlight on John’s case based on this recent revelation but they just don’t do missing men.

As far as the “investigation” into John’s case, seems we’re at a standstill…again. We don’t have any events planned for the summer; it’s too hard to search in the brush but if and when we have another search we will post the info.

Stef

It’s been 2 years since John’s disappearance and as we all know, this is not a case of a man walking away from his life. John was murdered on 2/23/07.

The last person to see John alive was David Stubben, John’s business partner of 17 years. Dave has stated he has nothing to do with this but we have been told that Dave was angry with John over financial issues, and, heavy duty plastic sheeting was found to be missing from John’s workplace when the police did their initital search in the early morning hours of 2/25/07. Dave cut off all communication with me in April of 2007, never gave us the $2500.00 he promised for our search fund and has declined on more than 1 occasion to take a lie detector test? Why?

John had been going through a nasty divorce and on 2/23/07, he and his wife Suzanne, entered into a marital settlement agreement. It was to be signed off by the court on 3/8/07. That was never to occur because John was murdered prior to the divorce being finalized. Just a few short weeks later Suzanne was reported to have been attempting to get John’s antique amplifiers appraised at a local music shop. Within days of John’s disappearance Suzanne “lawyered” up (though she had no money to contribute to our search fund and has yet to contribute a dime). She also has lawyerS working on her probate matter wherein she’s trying to get information on a $500,000.00 life insurance policy as well as a stock investment that has a potential payout of between $4,000,000.00 and $5,000,000.00 in the very near future. (Her petition for appointment of letters of administration is filed in the Kane County Circuit Court Probate dept for those of you who are interested. She too has declined lie detector tests. Why?

Neither of these people are suspects or even persons of interest and that is because the police are still viewing this as a missing persons case. I have been working very hard trying to get answers for 2 years. I have left my family in Phoenix at least 14 times to go back to Chicago and organize searches, pass out flyers, get media attention and interest from the police. I’m tired. It would save me and the police alot of mental energy and time if Dave and Suzanne would simply take lie detector tests so that they can be cleared and the investigation can proceed.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who traveled out to West Chicago to remember John today on the 2 year anniversary of his disappearance and especially Robyn who organized the event. I wish I could have been there. The employees of Universal Cable Construction Inc., were notified of the event and asked to come outside but they declined and apparently as some employees were pulling out of the parking lot they refused to look at the signs people were holding up about John and the charred remnants of the building that burned in 2007. Why wouldn’t they want to help? Remember, this is the building where John was last seen by his business partner and now sole owner, David Stubben. The corporate records of UCC have now been changed and John’s name no longer appears as an officer. That’s curious. I think we got the message across that we still need answers and while on the phone talking to Robyn I could hear people chanting “WHERE IS JOHN?” loud and clear. It was awesome! Thank you so much!

One more thing, DuPage County Sheriff’s department was aware of the event but did not show up except for a police officer who asked my friends to move their cars.

Please come to “John Spira’s 2nd year anniversary missing in America” on Monday, February 23 at 12:30pm.

Event: John Spira’s 2nd year anniversary missing in America
“30 mins. of your time, 1 day only”
What: Rally
Host: Missing in America
Start Time: Monday, February 23 at 12:30pm
End Time: Monday, February 23 at 1:00pm
Where: In front of John’s burnt down building (Universal Cable Construction Inc.)

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1375560169&k=52A3Z6SYPZXM5DF1WB63YV

I know it’s been awhile since I’ve updatd or provided any news on John’s case. That’s because I really don’t have any new information with respect to the investigation. Still no news on the cause of the fire and last I saw, the building is still just sitting there burned. After our last search back in 10/08, there was a small flury of activity but nothing’s come of it. I think I may have mentioned before the last search that ID Discovery was filming because they were interested in airing a one hour episode on John’s case. In fact, I just came back from Chicago last week having flown in to do an interview for the show which is scheduled to air sometime in the summer. I will definitely let you know when they plan on airing it. The police will be on talking about the fact that this is still a “missing person” case and thus noone has been named a suspect or person of interest. This continues to be the most frustrating aspect of John’s disappearance especially when it’s so evident to us that foul play occurred.

It will be 2 years on 2/23/07 and time sure hasn’t made this any easier.

Last month I traveled back to Chicago for one more search before the snow fall. It started out as just me wanting to go back and have a look around by myself, but after I spoke with Sean Henady of Aerial Image, Inc., the search grew to include Sean, a team of searchers who’ve been diligently involved in the Stacy Peterson search, a dog team and their hardworking handlers, the County of Dupage Sheriff’s Department, the Forest Preserve police and a group of die hard friends. The Stacy Peterson team, and specifically Roy Taylor, generously allowed us the use of and assistance with their boat, the Stacy Anne, to search various waterways. We were able to do some underwater sonar searching and have definitively been able to cross some areas off our list of areas to be searched thanks to the technology and resources we were able to utilize.

Since our search, Sean, County of Dupage, and others have continued to search professionally and the group has grown to include 2 additional dog teams. Seems like John’s case finally has some momentum of its own and the investigation has a renewed vigor. I can’t say it enough, but I and my family are eternally grateful for the renewed interest and all the help John is finally receiving. The guy who is responsible for John’s murder (and yes, that’s the ONLY possible explanation), and those that know what happened but aren’t talking, should be very nervous because it’s just a matter of time before we find you, convict you and put you away. It will happen.

To all who’ve supported our efforts, thank you again. Stephanie

Here’s a link to a great story about the search:
Click Here for Story.

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Thank you to Sean Henady of Aerial Image for talking with the police about John’s case,talking to private property owners to get search permissions, and most of all just for being here today to begin this search for my brother John. Many thanks to Melanie Greenberg of FindLisaStebic.com for coming to lend her support. Thank you to Fox News for helping get the word out. Thank you to FindStacyPeterson.com for lending us the “Stacy Ann” for this weekend’s search! A special thank you to John Klein for filming for the future special about John’s case. Great weather is predicted and I hope to see searchers tomorrow and Sunday at 10 a.m. at Brian’s Charhouse in West Chicago. Volunteer searchers, please bring your own bug repellent, sunscreen and water. Please wear boots with ankle protection if you have them.
Your safety is very important to me!

Thanks for your help!

Stephanie