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Police (in)Action in the Murder of John Spira
December 19,2009 Merry Christmas
Nearly 3 years have passed since my brother, John Spira, was murdered. To date we have been unable to find him. Though time has passed, it has not served to heal our wounds but rather deepened our anger and frustration knowing that the people responsible for his brutal murder (is murder anything other than brutal?) are free to live their lives and go about their business with no repercussions whatsoever. And of course, how can these gaping wounds close when we still don’t know where John is and how he died. Was he tortured, left for dead, stabbed, shot, did he beg for his life, did he suffer? The various scenarios of his death are left swirling in our imaginations until we know the truth.
The more that time passes the easier it is for us to see that the police dropped the ball in John’s case and thus the reason no arrests have been made. Police indifference to John’s case began first when they refused to take a missing person’s report from John’s girlfriend of two years (Suzanne, John’s wife with whom he was going through a nasty divorce refused to report him missing for nearly 48 hours). The police then did a cursory inspection of John’s business, they did bring dogs, but did not venture out of the vicinity of the business where his business partner of 17 years, David Stubben was the last to see John alive. The police then collectively immediately and arrogantly concluded, based on statements from both Suzanne and David Stubben, that John probably disappeared voluntarily. Yes, the police chose to listen to John’s wife who, according to John at dinner a week before he disappeared, had lived only to make his life “a living hell” (John’s exact words to me) and with the knowledge that John and Suzanne had been going through a nasty divorce during which time Suzanne got 2 DUI’s. The police also chose to listen to David Stubben, the business partner with whom John had been having serious financial difficulties for quite some time and who was very angry with John and, don’t forget, the last person to see John alive. During the divorce John did not want Suzanne discussing the matter with Dave and nearly obtained a restraining order against her to prevent her from doing so. Yet, days after John went missing, Dave went over to John’s house to shovel snow for Suzanne. Nevertheless, based on their statements, the police told me very callously over the phone, on March 29, 2007, a mere 5 weeks after John’s murder, that they were done with their investigation; they’ve done all they could and I’m on my own. Yes, I was stunned and devastated by that. It wasn’t until I wrote Sheriff Zaruba a letter about the situation that Dupage County Sheriff’s Dept., “took over” the case, whatever that means.
On March 3, 2007, when I learned of the availability of search dogs I begged the police to utilize but they would not and the search teams will not go out unless the police invite them. I found out about pinging of John’s cell phone and as late as September Mark Edwalds was still arguing with me over their significance. Why didn’t he just contact the cell phone company to see what the significance is? Despite my requests, the police never tried to listen to messages on John’s cell phone. They never investigated jobs that UCC was at with their UNDERGROUND CABLE EQUIPMENT. They did not try to ping David Stubben’s cell phone to determine his whereabouts on the night of 2/23/07 nor would they after requested to do so. I asked Major Mark Edwalds what they were doing with the case in May of 07. He replied they were “investigating”. I asked him what that meant and he said that they were reviewing the file to make sure St. Charles did everything correctly-Huh? (St. Charles was the agency handling initially who kept asking Dupage to take over because that’s where John went missing from). They were still convinced John left voluntarily despite my telling them over and over and over and over that John would never, ever leave his life. Was it because they simply didn’t want to spend the money or was it simply arrogance? I don’t know but I do know that the only time the police have ever actively done anything on John’s behalf was when they finally took a missing persons report and when I had organized a search or other event and thus were shamed into action by the threat of media attention. It took the police 5 months to discuss the case with John’s girlfriend of 2 years. It took them 5 months to collect and submit John’s DNA to the database; it took the police 5 months to inspect the gun safe in John’s house despite my earlier requests. They still to date have never verified Dave Stubben’s alibi and never did question his wife. Now, of course, it’s too late for that.
Then there was the fire of John’s building and disappearance of his missing poster on September 16, 2007. The 2 separate agencies handling John’s missing person case and the fire didn’t seem to communicate with each other. I was told that they did communicate but the fire people sure didn’t seem to know or want to know much about the missing person’s case. The fire investigators never contacted me to discuss the missing persons case and the times that I tried to explain the facts of the matter to them, I was met with arrogance, ego and attitude. They didn’t want to hear that at the time the sign went up right across the street from John and David Stubben’s business, employees (maybe Dave?) watched the sign go up; they didn’t care to know that just a few weeks prior, Tim Miller, with Texas Equasearch had called and left David Stubben several voice mails requesting his assistance in the search for John, they weren’t interested in the fact that just days earlier I had left Dave a very accusatory message regarding his involvement in my brother’s murder to which Dave never responded. The fact that the firemen couldn’t go near the building during the fire because too many bullets were going off didn’t seem to have any consequence either. And then there’s the fact that the sign went up at night on Friday with people from John’s business watching, not helping just watching and then by Sunday it was nowhere to be found and the building burnt down. How many people within that short time period could’ve seen the sign? How many people within that short time frame who were involved in John’s murder could have known the sign was there? Did the DuPage fire investigators really investigate the fire to see if remnants of the sign were in the building? I did ask about that and they quickly dismissed it but from what I know, I highly doubt they ever took the time to look into it. They never were able to determine the cause but isn’t it obviously suspicious where the fire of John’s building happened at the same time the huge billboard we posted across the street disappeared? Apparently not to DuPage County’s finest.
I’ve been told over and over again by the Sheriff’s Dept that they are investigating, that they talk about the case all the time. Talking and investigating, to my mind, are 2 completely different actions. While I do believe there are officers who sincerely want to help, they are at the mercy of an agency that really doesn’t give a shit and finds this case to be a thorn in their side. Every time I hear of a new missing persons case and see the police actively involved, requesting the public’s help in searches, communicating with family members, issuing press releases, contacting other agencies for assistance, I get weak in the knees and butterflies in my stomach from the anger I have toward the police in John’s case who have never taken an active role in this situation without being pressured into it. I believe they have been not only completely arrogant but negligent. I recently contacted the IL state’s attorney’s office and again was met with attitude. The attorney I spoke with clearly had spoken to Dupage after I left my message because he was nothing but a parrot. It took him over a week to return my call.
This is much longer than I intended and though I do not believe anyone reads this blog anymore I wanted to post the following table showing the similarities in the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of John, Stacy Peterson and Lisa Stebic and the differences in how the various police agencies have handled. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I could write a book, and maybe I will…
And just as soon as I figure out how to post my table, I will. In the meantime, if Dave, Suzanne or the police would like to make any corrections, additions or comments to this post, I anxiously invite them to do so.
I am sorry for your loss and suffering. I think I can relate to how you feel. My friend Lily Aramburo is also missing since 2007. Police screwed up the investigation from day 1 and have been completely uncooperative. I applaud you for what you do and will keep John in my prayers.
Peace be with you~
Still thinking of John though it may seem that all have forgotten. I truly hope soon your prayers will be answered and somehow John will be brought home to you.
Thanks for your comments and Yogini, I’m not surprised to hear of the police screw up in your friend’s disappearance. It’s all too common in these cases. Much of the blame rests on those selfish bastards who do choose to disappear voluntarily but much of it rests with police who immediately engage in character assasination over and above the loud protests of family members who know otherwise.
We have not forgotten John at Porchlight. Praying for answers.
You have all of our love and support, my friend. We’ll never forget.
Hi…I’m still here and reading for what it’s worth. I’d give anything if there was something more I could do that would actually, help!? I’m sorry no new info has turned up yet for John, but I’ll never give up on hope. Thinking of you & the family!
John Y.
Steph,
What a freaking nightmare this must be for you and your family. I’m so sorry about all of this. I can’t even imagine…. I hope and pray that you get some answers soon. John is lucky to have an advocate like you. Keep the faith!
Sue
It’s so nice to know you’re still out there reading my rants! Thanks so much for your support.
Steph, Tink of you often. Many folks ask regularly about status of this and I ask them to keep ears to the ground.
Did you know the Dupage COunty Sherrif is an elected position, and the election is in a couple weeks. Based on the number of signs throughout the area I think it will be impossible for him to lose, but based on this incredible failure I do not see how anyone would be willing to vote for him if it was mentioned in the news.
Best to your crew!
CG
This really makes me sick. I hope you bring this case to Nancy Grace. Don’t give up hope. Everyone is found at some point, I just hope it’s in this lifetime.
Steph, I had driven past the sign multiple times while it was there. The first time I noticed it was gone, I’d just figured he’d been found. I should’ve done research on it. I am SO incredibly sorry for your loss and all you’ve had to put up with on top of that, just to get some answers and the truth. FWIW, I voted against Zaruba without even knowing the details of John’s case. I don’t even like Nancy Grace, but I’ve got to agree with Gina on this one. PLEASE let us know if there’s anything that any of us can do to assist in your plight for the truth.
I can only imagine your frustration and respect your tenacity. I would not give up either. A suggestion of something I would do at this point, is hang another banner where it would irritate whomever you think had a part in Johns disappearance and put up a hidden camera to capture them taking it again. This would only be done for your own personal knowledge for direction. I doubt it would be allowed for legal. Also, if there is any funding, I would definitely hire an investigator to find out everything they can about the people who you think are involved. I would be in the same place you were, and still are somewhat, without any experience for guidance. An investigator would require some research first but would certainly have more experience than myself. Hopefully they would know how to get answers to questions left unresolved by the police. And maybe dig up something that would give you an idea where he possibly could have been taken other than around the business. A little lengthy, but had to share my thoughts.
i watched the show on cable that featured your story, the one about your brother John Spira, and i am so sorry for your loss and especially your lack of closure in all of this. i am so ashamed of both the police department and fire department in your area; they are rude and very negligent in their lack of caring and helping to try to solve your MURDER case, which would hopefully bring you some sense of justice. i wish that i knew something about your brother that could help you with your case. please take care and may God bless you to find some sense of peace with all of this slipshod police detective work and that eventually justice will some how prevail in the end.
catherine heiby :/
why can’t the police detectives investigate the wife and business partner. if he was snowplowing over at her house after john asked his partner to stay away from her—maybe the two of them were in cahoots together against her husband and his business partner, i.e. sex, relationship, conspiracy and murder to get money…perhaps? why does it make sense to me and the police haven’t thought of it? or have they and they are covering up something? i think that so many things add up for different things, i.e. the plastic wrap, the business relationship, the fire, etc. it does not take a rocket scientist to recognize a rocket taking off and it does not take a police detective to see that there was something suspicious going on close at home here that should have been investigated as a murder before, or even while, they investigated a missing person case! there is so much that bothers me about this case but then i am just an average citizen/civilian and out of your state as well.
again may God bless you and all of your family as you weather the storms of fighting with your local authorities to get some light shed on this MURDER case while there is still some evidence left to find!
catherine heiby :/
You should make links of videos showing pictures of David Stubben and Spira’s wife and they should be humiliated on the internet they can’t sue then.
Try putting up the banner again neat David Stubben’s house or business, if he still has one, and install a hidden video camera to find out who is destroying them. If nothing else, it is illegal to do so and might put a little pressure on the police to take another look. The episode on “Disappeared” was a great way to bring attention to this devastating event. My thoughts & wishes are with you & I hope you will have resolution soon.
Elizabeth
I saw the episode of your brother’s missing case on Discovery ID a couple of weeks ago. My son was born on Feb 2007 and i lived in West Chicago at the time. Im very sorry for your loss, and this whole ordeal of how this case has been handled gets me fricken sick!!!! have you reached out to the Governor of Illinois or the FBI for assistance? there has to be something that could be done in regards to the obvious lack of concern that the DuPage Count Police and Fire Dept had in collecting evidence. Its stil not too late to check the cell phone usage of David Stubben or Suzanne Spira on the night of your brothers disappearance, or even if Suzanne was a life insurance beneficiary of your brother. ther is no statute of limitations for murder. Dont give up and keep going to the higher powers of Illinois or the Government for assistance. Someone has to be held and found accountable including the local police dept.
To the friends & loved ones of John Spira,
I am from NY and first heard of the John Spira disappearance case on “Disappeared”. Having had an uncle murdered in a holdup many years ago I can be very sympathetic to the pain you have been suffering through.
I have been very intrigued because the known facts seemed very unusual for a missing person’s case.
I am also the same age as John and discoved that John and I were born just 2 days apart in 1961.
I am also a part-time documentary researcher who often watches the cable TV shows about real-life crimes. This case seemed very out of the usual patterns of possible or actual murder cases.
A few things really jumped up at me about this case. The disappearances of John Spira and Scott Assaro the day before in Lisle Illinois are very different than most profiles of missing men cases in the last ten years.
John Spira does not fit into any category of middle age men that disappear voluntarily.
Most other cases involved men who had were desponent, homeless, had serious medical problems, trouble with the police, were alone in a rural area, last seen in a bar or was last reported to be getting in someone’s vehicle.
John Spira was a busy, responsible businessman with a full schedule, a committed relationship with a new girlfriend and a man who never missed a musical gig in 30 years.
A significant fact is that he insisted on always driving anywhere in his pickup truck; which was still parked outside his business.
the fact that John Spira disappeared on a Friday evening just outside his business with an entire weekend with bad weather forecast to coverup a possible crime indicates whatever happened to him was done by someone connected to the business who would know his schedule and not a ransom act by a stranger.
When someone is murdered the three big questions are why, by whom and why at that time & day.
The timing on a friday at the end of his workday when no witnesses would be around speaks for itself.
the whom: most murders are committed by those known to the victim. In case inwhich a sexual act or infidelity are not the issue usually comes down to a messy divorce, problems with a business partner, criminal activity or to the last person known to have seen the victim.
the answer to your search appears to be right infront of you but whether can proof it is another story.
the case of John Spira screams across the page with all three. We have an uncooperative ex-spouse who did gain half his assets with his disappearance before any divorce.
The ex-business partner, the last reported person to have seen the victim, with whom John Spira was having financial problems and a partner with whom there may have had a relationship with John Spira’s estranged wife.
We will not know the final details of either John Spira’s estranged wife or his business partner were involved in his disappearance until a full investigation is done. Even if both had solid alibis it does not rule out hiring someone else to do the deed.
This disappearance screams “professional hit” to me because of the lack of any indication of a crime at the probably scene of the crime, the business & parking lot.
Another issue is if either John’s estranged wife or business partner had any involvement in whatever happened to him is why would it be better to have him disappear inwhich there is no body with no quick payoff of any life insurance.
The answer is probably that the body was a crime scene that would point to the killer. John Spira appeared to be strong and probably would have put up a major fight if given any chance to fight for his life.
I urge you to continue the search till you find out the full truth.
I do not know if you have approached any independent assistance such a private investigator or a psychic (despite some notable successful investigations I still have my doubts).
I sincerely wish you the best in your search of the truth,
Lee H.
Commack NY