CA CA - Jeff Joseph, 45, Hoopa, 21 June 2014

[Lilibet]

Okay, Peaceofmind, you have gotten Jeff's case off default and into an active investigation. That's good. If I were in your spot, here's what I would do.

Network with Humboldt and Trinity LE, as well as Nor Cal media. Keep the media stoked while not offending LE. Pay attention to citizen feedback to media mention of Jeff, whether letters to the editor or e-comments on electronic media. The anonymity of screen names can lead to some interesting disclosures. They're not evidence, but can be leads.

It is my understanding that if you are not LE, you don't have subpoena power. On the other hand, as a private citizen, you don't have to read anyone their Miranda rights before asking questions. From my reading, I have learned that any information you may gather can be future testimony, so take notes as soon as possible. Above all, document, document, document.

When I mentioned a financial audit, I may have aroused false expectations. I struggled to a courtesy "D" in Intro to Accounting in the pen and ink days, so it would be beyond me.

Keep it up, Peace. You're doing good work.

Excellent advice! I will strongly second your advice to document, as well as to pay close attention to comments on stories about Jeff. For example, there was a 2013 article on LoCO asking for info about the whereabouts of Robert Chris Hunter for Eureka PD. This was before Jeff disappeared and before Hunter was put on the most wanted list in Trinity county. Over a year later (two years ago) someone connected to Jeff added a comment to the article saying they wanted to talk to Hunter about Jeff. The next commenter gave his location! So it pays to monitor the comments. Hopefully that info was seen and passed on to LE. Hunter was eventually found and arrested AFAIK. He may not have been questioned about Jeff though, or may have refused to talk.

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2013/nov/11/epd-asks-do-you-know-man/

From personal experience I know that any information you gather on your own can be used by the sheriff as a basis for a search warrant.

 

[Lilibet]

Peaceofmind, I need to correct my advice to ask the detective what you can do to help. I just remembered that he can't make suggestions because then you'd be acting as his "agent" and the information you found would be challenged in court. Again, from personal experience in Humboldt almost 40 years ago.

I asked the sheriff if I could legally go on my own to the house where I suspected our stolen property was. He said "I can't tell you to do that. I can tell you that it's legal to do it. But I'm not telling you to do it. If you do it, it's your decision." Those words came in very handy when I was cross examined by the defense attorney at the preliminary hearing.

 

[somequestions]

My detective advice would be to try and see what Jeff Joseph did on previous trips. Where did he eat lunch? Where did he stay? Try to find some type of inconsistency that maybe leads to a clue.

One thing I can think of off the top of my head is shoes. I am not a farmer, but I think you would want to have work shoes and regular shoes. It has to be kind of muddy in fields sometimes. Or maybe he did not go out in the fields. That is one idea.

 

[Peaceofmind]

I don't really know how much to say. those comments on lost past really got us nowhere. You guys are great researchers. Do you know how to find the old lost coast comments? There was one very bothersome one that said "robert Hunter, That's your man. That is all I'm saying. and, I can't find it again. The level of frustration is just unbelievable because yes, he is in custody or was after 2 1/2 years and................. nothing deceptive found in what he said. However, u have no ability to know what was asked,,,,,, really sucks

Excellent advice! I will strongly second your advice to document, as well as to pay close attention to comments on stories about Jeff. For example, there was a 2013 article on LoCO asking for info about the whereabouts of Robert Chris Hunter for Eureka PD. This was before Jeff disappeared and before Hunter was put on the most wanted list in Trinity county. Over a year later (two years ago) someone connected to Jeff added a comment to the article saying they wanted to talk to Hunter about Jeff. The next commenter gave his location! So it pays to monitor the comments. Hopefully that info was seen and passed on to LE. Hunter was eventually found and arrested AFAIK. He may not have been questioned about Jeff though, or may have refused to talk.

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2013/nov/11/epd-asks-do-you-know-man/

From personal experience I know that any information you gather on your own can be used by the sheriff as a basis for a search warrant.

 

[Peaceofmind]

I don't think the detective knows what Jeff did on any trips. He stayed on his property when he was up there. also, what about shows. I'm sure he probably wore beater shoes but, if we can't get up there, we can't look for shoes....

My detective advice would be to try and see what Jeff Joseph did on previous trips. Where did he eat lunch? Where did he stay? Try to find some type of inconsistency that maybe leads to a clue.

One thing I can think of off the top of my head is shoes. I am not a farmer, but I think you would want to have work shoes and regular shoes. It has to be kind of muddy in fields sometimes. Or maybe he did not go out in the fields. That is one idea.

 

[Lilibet]

I don't really know how much to say. those comments on lost past really got us nowhere. You guys are great researchers. Do you know how to find the old lost coast comments? There was one very bothersome one that said "robert Hunter, That's your man. That is all I'm saying. and, I can't find it again. The level of frustration is just unbelievable because yes, he is in custody or was after 2 1/2 years and................. nothing deceptive found in what he said. However, u have no ability to know what was asked,,,,,, really sucks

I'm glad the comment was seen even if it didn't help. But it does illustrate the potential clues that can come from reading and rereading the comments.

I don't know how to find old LoCO comments other than going back and checking articles and reading them. Be sure to look in both the Thunderdome and Country Club comment sections on LoCO. The comment you quote doesn't seem like it would help LE by itself, but if you could message the person who posted it, maybe you could find out more details that LE could use. I'm curious about the commenter calling him Robert since he goes by Chris. That seems a little odd to me unless they used his full name.

It sounds as if LE gave Hunter a polygraph if they said they found nothing deceptive. They won't tell you what they asked, but if they told you the results, I would think it's fair to assume they asked about Jeff. Of course, there are probably ways to beat a polygraph, which is why they aren't admissible in court, so Hunter may know more than he let on, but there's no way to prove it that way.

Have you been able to talk to the detective about the status of the investigation since you started posting here? Squeaky wheel and all that. I wonder if he'd tell you whether the place Hunter lived was ever able to be searched in connection with Jeff. They may not have had enough probable cause for a search warrant though. It's always good to keep in mind that LE can't tell you everything they know, in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.

One thing I would definitely do is to ask both LoCO and Kym Kemp to run new stories on Jeff on the anniversary of his disappearance. Contact reporters at the TV stations and ask them to interview the detective and you about the case. Start cultivating relationships with reporters now, so they get interested enough to run a story in June. If you've made a video about Jeff's disappearance it can be part of the story and be linked. I've had some success with those approaches for Stephanie Warner, the case in my signature. One reporter did a three part series! That may bring in new tips, and it will at least give you more online comments to read, especially if you post comments too and ignore the mean ones. Hang in there!!

 

[Peaceofmind]

lilibet,
Bear with me because this site is still confusing me. What part of the comment from lost coast did i post? also, His real name is Robert Christopher Hunter as you know and some people call him Robert but, i think he mostly goes by Chris. There a was a comment one time on a LoCO article. That said something to the effect of " Hunter. that is your man. That's all i'm going to say" there is no way for me to contact the person who made that comment. Believe me, back then I begged for someone to help me find this person or their IP address. I can't find the article or comment now.

Why even do VSA's or Polygraphs if they can't be used in court?

Yes I've been in contact with the detective since I started posting. I don't think Hunter's place was ever searched. Not enough evidence to get a warrant which in my mind, is crazy. They were meeting, enough people know that and they just have not questioned the right people or anyone at all but, there are people who could confirm this meeting.

Thank you for all your advice and tips. I REALLY REALLY Appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad the comment was seen even if it didn't help. But it does illustrate the potential clues that can come from reading and rereading the comments.

I don't know how to find old LoCO comments other than going back and checking articles and reading them. Be sure to look in both the Thunderdome and Country Club comment sections on LoCO. The comment you quote doesn't seem like it would help LE by itself, but if you could message the person who posted it, maybe you could find out more details that LE could use. I'm curious about the commenter calling him Robert since he goes by Chris. That seems a little odd to me unless they used his full name.

It sounds as if LE gave Hunter a polygraph if they said they found nothing deceptive. They won't tell you what they asked, but if they told you the results, I would think it's fair to assume they asked about Jeff. Of course, there are probably ways to beat a polygraph, which is why they aren't admissible in court, so Hunter may know more than he let on, but there's no way to prove it that way.

Have you been able to talk to the detective about the status of the investigation since you started posting here? Squeaky wheel and all that. I wonder if he'd tell you whether the place Hunter lived was ever able to be searched in connection with Jeff. They may not have had enough probable cause for a search warrant though. It's always good to keep in mind that LE can't tell you everything they know, in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.

One thing I would definitely do is to ask both LoCO and Kym Kemp to run new stories on Jeff on the anniversary of his disappearance. Contact reporters at the TV stations and ask them to interview the detective and you about the case. Start cultivating relationships with reporters now, so they get interested enough to run a story in June. If you've made a video about Jeff's disappearance it can be part of the story and be linked. I've had some success with those approaches for Stephanie Warner, the case in my signature. One reporter did a three part series! That may bring in new tips, and it will at least give you more online comments to read, especially if you post comments too and ignore the mean ones. Hang in there!!

 

[Lilibet]

lilibet,
Bear with me because this site is still confusing me. What part of the comment from lost coast did i post? also, His real name is Robert Christopher Hunter as you know and some people call him Robert but, i think he mostly goes by Chris. There a was a comment one time on a LoCO article. That said something to the effect of " Hunter. that is your man. That's all i'm going to say" there is no way for me to contact the person who made that comment. Believe me, back then I begged for someone to help me find this person or their IP address. I can't find the article or comment now.

Why even do VSA's or Polygraphs if they can't be used in court?

Yes I've been in contact with the detective since I started posting. I don't think Hunter's place was ever searched. Not enough evidence to get a warrant which in my mind, is crazy. They were meeting, enough people know that and they just have not questioned the right people or anyone at all but, there are people who could confirm this meeting.

Thank you for all your advice and tips. I REALLY REALLY Appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!

BBM

You're welcome! Here are some answers to what you wrote:

On your post #204 about the comment you said "Robert Hunter..." and I was just questioning why someone who knew him would call him "Robert" and not "Chris." It seemed odd to me and made me wonder if the tip was bogus. But they were probably trying to give you the full name to work with. Don't worry about it. Sometimes I think too much!

I really wouldn't worry about finding that article again right now. It's more important to try for new tips, which is why I suggested getting reporters interested in a story about the third anniversary of his disappearance. Starting right now. If you can get news in Humboldt and New Orleans interested, and stay on top of reading the comments on any story, you may learn something. Or even better, someone will call in a tip to LE. Has Jeff been featured yet on the Dateline Missing in America series? I forget, but if he hasn't, that's another one to contact. Make a list, go on the website of each MSM (paper or TV), click "about" and you should be able to find the names of reporters and their emails. Start emailing them promoting this story. You may have to bug them, but just work at it until someone shows interest. Reporters are hungry for stories.

I think polygraphs are more of an investigative tool. If someone doesn't pass, LE can tell them and put more pressure on them.

Do you have the names of people who can confirm the meeting with Hunter? Does the detective have them. Keep in mind that no one has to talk to LE if they don't want to. So if no one confirmed the meeting, there isn't enough for a search warrant. Frustrating, I know.

 

[burblestein]

Given that Jeff financed his affairs with money orders, where did he purchase them? After mulling it over, I concluded he had to have bought them from a store or post office. A store or post office would also be a social center for the community.

Using Google street view, I checked out the only local store, Pearson's Groceries. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.184...Dewt-zLR0YCdbuVi8w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1. I can't tell whether one of the signs on the door advertises money orders. However, when I spin the view to https://www.google.com/maps/place/P...1d4585!8m2!3d41.1846596!4d-123.705238!6m1!1e1, the area's mailboxes come into view. Zero in on them like this https://www.google.com/maps/@41.184...oKlJ0dMs4CZkNs9k7A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1, and it becomes apparent there are 48 mailboxes in this clump. With only five houses and a store in Weitchpec, it's obvious that these gang-boxes serve the surrounding community. To double check this, I "drove" the road toward Jeff's place, searching for mailboxes, and found none.

The nearest verified sales point for money orders that I could find is the Hoopa Post Office http://www.uspspostoffices.com/ca/hoopa/hoopa. They sell national and international money orders. However, they are 21.2 miles from Jeff's place and their lobby is open 24/7; this might tend to diffuse folks' urge to mingle.

If a body wanted to investigate, they would be best served by finding when the mail first becomes available in either location. There will probably be people waiting for their mail and gossiping all the while. Heck, mail delivery is probably the high point of their day.

 

[Peaceofmind]

His PO Box was at the post office. Maybe he bought money orders when he was up there but, I don't think so. He normally bought them in New Orleans when he was there or Los Angeles. I DO know for sure his PO Box was at the post office... but, what can that tell me 3 years later? You guys are sooooooo good at this stuff. you are a mapping genius!

Given that Jeff financed his affairs with money orders, where did he purchase them? After mulling it over, I concluded he had to have bought them from a store or post office. A store or post office would also be a social center for the community.

Using Google street view, I checked out the only local store, Pearson's Groceries. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.184...Dewt-zLR0YCdbuVi8w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1. I can't tell whether one of the signs on the door advertises money orders. However, when I spin the view to https://www.google.com/maps/place/P...1d4585!8m2!3d41.1846596!4d-123.705238!6m1!1e1, the area's mailboxes come into view. Zero in on them like this https://www.google.com/maps/@41.184...oKlJ0dMs4CZkNs9k7A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1, and it becomes apparent there are 48 mailboxes in this clump. With only five houses and a store in Weitchpec, it's obvious that these gang-boxes serve the surrounding community. To double check this, I "drove" the road toward Jeff's place, searching for mailboxes, and found none.

The nearest verified sales point for money orders that I could find is the Hoopa Post Office http://www.uspspostoffices.com/ca/hoopa/hoopa. They sell national and international money orders. However, they are 21.2 miles from Jeff's place and their lobby is open 24/7; this might tend to diffuse folks' urge to mingle.

If a body wanted to investigate, they would be best served by finding when the mail first becomes available in either location. There will probably be people waiting for their mail and gossiping all the while. Heck, mail delivery is probably the high point of their day.

 

[Lilibet]

His PO Box was at the post office. Maybe he bought money orders when he was up there but, I don't think so. He normally bought them in New Orleans when he was there or Los Angeles. I DO know for sure his PO Box was at the post office... but, what can that tell me 3 years later? You guys are sooooooo good at this stuff. you are a mapping genius!

Since the P.O. is on the way to his property on Highway 96, I wonder if he went to the post office to get his mail before his possible meeting with Hunter or before arriving at the property. There's probably not much to learn unless the postmaster talked to him, saw Jeff with anyone and/or he seemed worried or upset, etc. You never know what people remember that they didn't think was important at the time.

 

[burblestein]

I mentioned the post office because rural post offices are social centers--kind of a watering hole for information. From Weitchpec, Orleans PO (95556) is closest. Hoopa PO (95546) and Willow Creek PO (95573) seem a pretty equidistant second furtherest. Salyer (95563) and Forks of Salmon (96031) are a bit further away still. You should be able to identify which PO by the ZIP code.

As you pointed out, the postmaster is a good place to begin inquiries. Jeff's purchase of money orders seems a natural convo starter.

However, don't forget the carrier. When I lived out on one of these rural routes in the boonies, our driveway was the turnaround for the carrier. There would be half a dozen vehicles waiting for the mail to show up, with general chat in progress. The carrier would eat lunch there and join in. It's the Boondock Grapevine.

In this case, the equivalent could be those gang-boxes across from Pearson's store in Weitchpec. Plus, I bet Jeff bought soft drinks, snacks, whatever, from Pearson's store because it's the only place to shop in Weitchpec.

 

[Peaceofmind]

yes. The owner of pearsons was very familiar with Jeff. In fact, she said she saw him right before he disappeared. She can't recall if it was the weekend he disappeared or the month before. Now, almost 3 years later these things are very hazy, even for me. No one went to check the cameras and they were filmed over. The PI, law enforcement, no one would do it and she wouldn't give them to me. The mail carrier did know jeff and told the 2nd PI, she saw him pulled over to the side of the road. However, again, nothing LE ever confirmed. very frustrating to say the least.

I mentioned the post office because rural post offices are social centers--kind of a watering hole for information. From Weitchpec, Orleans PO (95556) is closest. Hoopa PO (95546) and Willow Creek PO (95573) seem a pretty equidistant second furtherest. Salyer (95563) and Forks of Salmon (96031) are a bit further away still. You should be able to identify which PO by the ZIP code.

As you pointed out, the postmaster is a good place to begin inquiries. Jeff's purchase of money orders seems a natural convo starter.

However, don't forget the carrier. When I lived out on one of these rural routes in the boonies, our driveway was the turnaround for the carrier. There would be half a dozen vehicles waiting for the mail to show up, with general chat in progress. The carrier would eat lunch there and join in. It's the Boondock Grapevine.

In this case, the equivalent could be those gang-boxes across from Pearson's store in Weitchpec. Plus, I bet Jeff bought soft drinks, snacks, whatever, from Pearson's store because it's the only place to shop in Weitchpec.

 

[eucalyptuz]

I don't really know how much to say. those comments on lost past really got us nowhere. You guys are great researchers. Do you know how to find the old lost coast comments? There was one very bothersome one that said "robert Hunter, That's your man. That is all I'm saying. and, I can't find it again. The level of frustration is just unbelievable because yes, he is in custody or was after 2 1/2 years and................. nothing deceptive found in what he said. However, u have no ability to know what was asked,,,,,, really sucks

I was able to find the comment I think you are referring to. It under the story offering the $10,000 reward and it's close to the top give by someone with the user name TIP:
https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2015/feb/26/reward-jeff-joseph/#disqus_thread

ETA: there is another poster mentioning Hunter a little further down in the same thread...

 

[burblestein]

What cameras?

 

[Lilibet]

I was able to find the comment I think you are referring to. It under the story offering the $10,000 reward and it's close to the top give by someone with the user name TIP:
https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2015/feb/26/reward-jeff-joseph/#disqus_thread

ETA: there is another poster mentioning Hunter a little further down in the same thread...

Good find. The link you posted is for the Country Club (slightly more genteel) comments section and has some good info. But the comment by TIP and the other poster is on the Thunderdome (pretty wild) comments section.

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2015/feb/26/reward-jeff-joseph/#disqus_thread

 

[Lilibet]

yes. The owner of pearsons was very familiar with Jeff. In fact, she said she saw him right before he disappeared. She can't recall if it was the weekend he disappeared or the month before. Now, almost 3 years later these things are very hazy, even for me. No one went to check the cameras and they were filmed over. The PI, law enforcement, no one would do it and she wouldn't give them to me. The mail carrier did know jeff and told the 2nd PI, she saw him pulled over to the side of the road. However, again, nothing LE ever confirmed. very frustrating to say the least.

BBM

Do you mean that Jeff was also in the area the month before he disappeared?

Do you mean that a PI you were paying wouldn't do what you asked him or her to do regarding the cameras at Pearson's? Why not? Did the owner of Pearson's review the camera video herself? Did she perhaps see something that would incriminate someone?

When and where did the mail carrier see Jeff pulled over to the side of the road? Was his car familiar or was it a rental and the carrier recognized Jeff?

Do you know how long Jeff had leased this property and approximately how many times each year he went there? You mentioned about 20 times, but was it spread out over several years? Did he have the property when he still lived in CA? I don't think I know how long he'd lived in NOLA. Did he make frequent trips from there?

Sorry about all the questions. The answers may or may not shed light on anything but thanks for whatever you can provide.

 

[burblestein]

I just checked for cameras on the front of Pearson's Grocery, and didn't spot any. So where are these filmed-over cameras located?

 

[Lilibet]

I just checked for cameras on the front of Pearson's Grocery, and didn't spot any. So where are these filmed-over cameras located?

Could they be inside the store? It seems as if they possibly would be more of a security camera than just outside.

 

[Peaceofmind]

If they had cameras, surely after almost 3 years, everything has been taped over??? see, the thing is, we asked for all these things which is so frustrating but, LE at the time said he was voluntarily missing so, would not make any of this a priority. We had a PI who, did none of this but was supposed to.... it's sooooooooooooooooo soooooooooooooo frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Could they be inside the store? It seems as if they possibly would be more of a security camera than just outside.