Hi all!
Thank you for asking good questions and sharing your smart thoughts--I'll take these to the family and respond here with what I learn.
But first I wanted to share a possible sighting--it's promising because it is very recent and because the witness mentioned his clothing specifically. John's daughter Laura and her husband is heading there now. Sharing the information here. We'd appreciate all your prayers and good thoughts!
Here's the first post:
I don't want to get anyone's hopes up but I am 80% sure I just saw him in Sebastopol. I called the police dept. It was dark, but I saw a tall man, similar shirt, the same hat, and dark pants walking on Bodega Avenue towards Ragle Rd
and then the inbox conversation. Black text is the witness. Dark blue text is Laura. Teal text is Joy:
I just wrote something about seeing him. Called the Sebastopol Police Dept. and the Alameda Police Dept. I saw the man from the back when I looked behind me, and it was exactly like the man from the lands end picture, down to the off-white brimmed hat.
He was on Bodega Avenue, walking West, bw Pleasant Hill and Ragle Rd
When I turned around I couldn't see him. It becomes dark on Bodega, and the sidewalk ends
hi! when was this? thank you so much for reporting
I drove up and down Pleasant Hill and couldn't find him - but god, it looked exactly like him. Older man, same outfit, same hat, shuffling
25 minutes ago
Maybe 35
and when did you call the police?
10 minutes ago
15 maybe
As soon as I got home
There is a little mall there with 7-11 so he could have gone there, I'm not sure
I'm so sorry I didn't stop the first time. So sorry.
Is there any information you want from me?
It was just the 'same figure' as in the Lands End photo. Does that make sense? I saw him and looked back and thought 'holy ****, I have seen that man before'
And the clothes matched, so….
do you think i could have your cell phone number? I think we are going to head over and look for him since you are so sure. this is the first excellent lead we've gotten
PHONE NUMBER REDACTED
I so hope Im not leading you astray.
im laura and my phone number is REDACTED. if you know anyone else in the area who might be able to look for him out there and could find him and stay with him until we are there, i would be forever grateful. coming from alameda, calif. and on our way right now.
i feel like there's a real possibility and it's worth trying
thank you so very much
I can go out again with my car and phone?
The cops are supposedly out looking
if you have the time, that would be amazing! we are literally getting in a car right now.
I'll go out again, sure
I'll have my phone with me
ok please text or call if you see anything. we are on our way. thank you again so so so much
Of course. I'm going out now
thank you! Laura and her husband are headed your way. This is her friend Joy now--I'm monitoring the page now and can communicate anything to her via text. thank you!!
UPDATED TO ADD THIS FROM WITNESS: Sure. I'm driving around right now. This is a rural area so there aren't lots of streets. There is also a park where there are lots of places someone could hide and sleep. I talked to the Alameda police department and told them all of this.they mentioned maybe doing a flyover.