Thank's for the updates on this sad and haunting case! I remember the "Disappeared" episode, and always felt that Steve Wilkinson was involved. Here's some snips from a news article on the plane crash:
Intrigue surrounds Silverton-area plane crash
Felon on Cessna that slammed into Grizzly Peak - Friday, September 25, 2015
http://www.durangoherald.com/articl...Intrigue-surrounds-Silverton-area-plane-crash
"Authorities are investigating an intriguing mystery behind the Sept. 5 plane crash in western San Juan County that killed four people, seeking answers as to why the small plane had gone so far off its intended course and exploring possible links to a methamphetamine bust."
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"And among those on board was Steven Wilkinson, 59, of Newberry Springs, California, who was arrested Sept. 1 by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department in connection with the sale of methamphetamine, being in possession of methamphetamine while armed and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Wilkinson’s previous criminal history includes pleading guilty to possessing an illegal substance with intent to sell in 2008. He also pleaded guilty to possessing illegal drugs in 2003, according to San Bernardino County Court records.
Wilkinson’s latest arrest was part of a large law-enforcement operation conducted Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. The operation also included the seizure of about 11,000 marijuana plants and resulted in charges against 34 people in the Barstow area.
Jodi Miller, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, said Wilkinson posted $50,000 bail Sept. 2. She had no information on the conditions of the bail, including whether or not he was barred from leaving California."
<snip>
"Ron Hamm Jr., operator of Daggett Aviation at the Barstow-Daggett Airport, said he knew three of the people on the plane but did not know Wilkinson.
“I didn’t know the individual. But I knew of him. He was a shady character with a lot of bad history,” Hamm said.
Hamm told the Standard that there is rampant speculation in Barstow as to why Wilkinson was aboard the flight.
“Rumors at the local bars” are that Wilkinson was “either going out there to get money to make a big deal or to help him with his current ‘lawyer stuff’ because of that bust,” Hamm said. “Or he was going to get dropped off and not come back.
Another acquaintance described Wilkinson as someone who “ruled that desert out there with an iron fist.”
More at link.