IL IL - John Spira, 45, DuPage County, 23 Feb 2007

[Cubby]

Johns sister has updated her missing persons page for John indicating DuPage county has confirmed the DNA tested against the John Doe found in May 2009 was in fact compared to her mothers and could only come from a male in their family.

So John is officially ruled out as the unidentified male found in May 2009.

Link to Johns sisters latest blog with the above info.

http://www.johnspira.com/b2/

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

Picture number 14 is a man, nothing to indicate who he is or why you saved his photo. Do you happen to recall? I'm just wondering if he is another missing person whom I don't recognize or perhaps someone involved in the rescue efforts. Thanks.

Also, you saved the coroners press release which is good info to have. It states the John Doe had a small amount of currency on his remains. I'm going to take that to mean a small dollar amount. Which leads to this being more likely to be a transient since John was planning on meeting a friend for dinner. He would have more than a few dollars on him. However, that doesn't mean he didn't carry a wallet or billfold which had most of his money and if he had small change he didn't just shove a few dollars and some coins into a pants pocket if he was in a hurry. I'm not going to rule out based on that little bit of ino. It is still possible the John Doe could have had a bill fold that somehow washed out of his pants or loosened much easier than paper money would have in a pocket.

Just thinking outloud.

So sorry I did not get back to this thread.

The man in picture 14 is Chad Pregracke. He found the body.

Unfortunately in late March all my titles to all the pics were irretrievably lost by photobucket. I will never have the time to fix all the albums, it is years of work, and if I didn't label I might not remeber.

Anyways, here is the link for this:
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/channahon.river.body.2.1015385.html

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

Johns sister has updated her missing persons page for John indicating DuPage county has confirmed the DNA tested against the John Doe found in May 2009 was in fact compared to her mothers and could only come from a male in their family.

So John is officially ruled out as the unidentified male found in May 2009.

Link to Johns sisters latest blog with the above info.

http://www.johnspira.com/b2/

It really did look promising. Damn.

 

[HesterMofet]

I really wish it had turned out to be him because I am pretty sure he is dead and would like his family and friends to have closure. A guy like that just doesn't walk away, especially without signs of depression, etc.

I still think someone who knew him and lives in the area had something to do with his death because otherwise, why tear down the billboard and burn down the business? Those acts might have been done by different people, but I am highly doubtful.

 

[Cubby]

Police rebuff expert in search for John Spira

Man offers his expertise to help in disappearance that contrasts sharply with Stacy Peterson case


"I'm not just frustrated -- I'm furious with it," Stephanie McNeil, the sister of missing St. Charles man John Spira, said of the sheriff's department's failure to respond to inquiries from DiBiase, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney who has developed a specialty in reviewing homicide cases involving missing victims.

McNeil said she reached out to DiBiase and brokered a meeting between him and the DuPage County cops in February.


"He's the country's leading expert on no-body murder cases," McNeil said of DiBiase, noting that DuPage detectives initially seemed receptive to the idea of working with the famed homicide consultant.
"DuPage said, 'No problem. We just have to check his references,'" McNeil recalled.
DiBiase said he provided references but after nearly four months of trading e-mail and calls, the DuPage County police told him he could not have access to Spira's case file.
Instead of opening the file for him, DiBiase said, a DuPage County sergeant informed him he could submit a list of questions for investigators to review. That was when DiBiase had enough.

full article at link:

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/foxvalleysun/news/2443220,4_1_JO29_NOBODY_S1-100629.article

This is sad. I see a battle of 'ego's' here. The statement DuPage is 'rebuffing' is very misleading imo. Further reading into the article indicates DuPage was willing to provide him with info on a list of questions..... DiBiase wants full access to the entire case file- because that is the way he does things in so many words.

As a lifelong resident of DuPage, I know very well DuPage is not going to have someone from another jurisdiction or family of a missing person dictate to them how to investigate the case. I also know DuPage 'county' - does not appear to be open to outside help in ANY case, even when doing so would not impair or harm an open investigation.

I can appreciate and understand Johns sisters frustration, having experienced it myself with dealing with 'County'. It is difficult at best to describe trying to work with or submit tips to County- both WS and non WS related. My city PD is so much more open to working with citizens.

JMO

 

[Cubby]

Cubby, I may be confused, and I apologize if so (isn't the first time!!)... but missing teeth vs. "distinctive" may be different. I was thinking "distinctive" meant crooked or an over/under bite, etc. What do you think?

Has that body been ID'd yet?
TIA

My apologies for the delay in responding. No the Doe you mentioned has not been id'd, but has a thread here in our unidentified forum.
IL- 4/13 Skeleton found in DuPage Herrick Lake Forest Preserve - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

Johns sister has a site for John, and per posts there she does not believe this Doe was John.

DuPage has not updated since their initial press releases and a gender has not been released.

 

[theforgotten]

John's case was featured on Disappeared this afternoon. I found it on that they didn't discuss the wife more or the terms of the divorce that they were fighting over for 2 years.

 

[Cubby]

The remains found in Channahon discussed here as possibly being John have been identified as 32 year old Scott Dudko from Woodridge, IL.

link to the thread for the remains identified as Scott.
Identified! IL - MALE found in Des Plaines River-Channahon- May 09 -Scott Dudko - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community



I will make sure to send Johns sister a message at her blog for John to let her know these remains were identified and we have not forgotten the brother she is fighting so hard for. Especially since she was able to get both her brother and this former uid some media attention.

Cubby

 

[Cubby]

This weeks marks the 4 year anniversary of Johns disappearance. His sister recently posted (January 2011) the private land owners who had previosly allowed the missing persons banner across from his business from where he went missing will no longer be permitting the banner on their property.

http://www.johnspira.com/b2/ (see Jan 2011 blog update)

John you have not been forgotten. Still praying for answers in your disappearance.

 

[gogrannypop]

John's case is on ID channel right now, 10:10am.

 

[KaylynnCouture]

Sister Says She's Being Shut Out By Cops

In the more than four years since her brother John Spira vanished, Stephanie McNeil's mounting frustration with the perceived lack of action by the DuPage County Sheriff's Office has prompted her to take matters into her own hands. Or at least try to.

Last year, McNeil enlisted the assistance of a former federal prosecutor who specializes in homicide cases with missing victims, only to have the DuPage County police refuse to let him in on the case.

Now the DuPage County Sheriff's Office has rejected McNeil's formal request to see what its detectives have been up to since her brother vanished in February 2007.

Snipped from: http://plainfield.patch.com/articles/missing-mans-sister-shut-out-by-cops

 

[Peki51]

Searching For John Spira

Tuesday, May 17, 9pmET

Crime Wire Investigates


John Spira, a well-known local businessman and blues musician, known as “Chicago Johnny,” has now been missing for more than three years.

Authorities say the investigation into his disappearance has grown cold. However, seven months after he went missing in February 2007, the business Spira owned for more than a decade suddenly burned to the ground.

Additionally, a large missing person billboard hung by his family and friends across the street from the office a few days before the fire was torn down. The replacement sign, police say, was also forcibly removed.

However, seven months after he went missing, the business Spira owned for more than a decade suddenly burned to the ground.

Joining us will be John Spira’s sister, Stephanie McNeil and Reporter, Joe Hosey.

Listen LIVE: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/crimewire

http://imaginepublicity.com/2011/05/16/crime-wire-investigates-4/http://imaginepublicity.com/2011/05/16/crime-wire-investigates-4/

 

[kevmob77]

John's ex-wife, considered a suspect in his disappearance by John's sister, has died. Not sure if this has been posted yet as it is from May 2011, but here is the link. Interesting article. http://shorewood-il.patch.com/artic...for-more-than-six-months-did-cops-have-a-clue

 

[Cubby]

John's ex-wife, considered a suspect in his disappearance by John's sister, has died. Not sure if this has been posted yet as it is from May 2011, but here is the link. Interesting article. http://shorewood-il.patch.com/artic...for-more-than-six-months-did-cops-have-a-clue

Wow. This comes as a complete surprise and shock. I'm curious about the cause of death. The COD may be a clue in this case. Especially since last we knew public records indicated Suzanne was co-owner of the building John and his partner ran their cable business.

I'd think Johns sister should be able to order a copy of the death certificate. I'm not sure why she doesn't go that route, it's not difficult to do and would list the cause of death. I think she simply needs to order it through the county which issued the death cert.

SSDI records indicate she died October 30, 2010 (search Suzanne Spira, apparently she did not go back to her maiden name).


Link to Johns sisters blog about his case where she discusses Suzanne's death.
http://www.johnspira.com/b3/2011/05/suzanne-spira-wife-of-john-spira-dead/

 

[kevmob77]

Wow. This comes as a complete surprise and shock. I'm curious about the cause of death. The COD may be a clue in this case. Especially since last we knew public records indicated Suzanne was co-owner of the building John and his partner ran their cable business.

I'd think Johns sister should be able to order a copy of the death certificate. I'm not sure why she doesn't go that route, it's not difficult to do and would list the cause of death. I think she simply needs to order it through the county which issued the death cert.

SSDI records indicate she died October 30, 2010 (search Suzanne Spira, apparently she did not go back to her maiden name).


Link to Johns sisters blog about his case where she discusses Suzanne's death.
http://www.johnspira.com/b3/2011/05/suzanne-spira-wife-of-john-spira-dead/

Somewhat disconcerting that the Dupage Police Dep't either didn't know, or didn't bother to tell John's sister of this. I am in agreement with his sister that there needs to be a new set of eyes on this case.

 

[SuziQ]

No obituary....nothing? I guess someone was hoping no one would notice Suzanne was gone?

 

[Cubby]

I'm not ready to toss in the towel on how DPC is investigating this case. Johns sister is pretty vocal and sometimes honey attracks more bees than vinegar. She posts a LOT online and imo, LE is not going to give her inside information if they believe she'll be posting it online or sharing it in a way it will get to the public.

Last I knew the building which housed universal cable had not been demolished after the fire. That tells me the case and any possible connection between the two is still being investigated. If the possible arson case were closed, the building would have been demolished a long time ago. DuPage County is not an area where buildings needing to be demolished are let go for long periods of time.

JMO

 

[SuziQ]

Wow. This comes as a complete surprise and shock. I'm curious about the cause of death. The COD may be a clue in this case. Especially since last we knew public records indicated Suzanne was co-owner of the building John and his partner ran their cable business.

I'd think Johns sister should be able to order a copy of the death certificate. I'm not sure why she doesn't go that route, it's not difficult to do and would list the cause of death. I think she simply needs to order it through the county which issued the death cert.

SSDI records indicate she died October 30, 2010 (search Suzanne Spira, apparently she did not go back to her maiden name).

Link to Johns sisters blog about his case where she discusses Suzanne's death.
http://www.johnspira.com/b3/2011/05/suzanne-spira-wife-of-john-spira-dead/

I sure would like to know that COD. It appears that John's sister spoke to Suzanne shortly before her death. The letter dated 11-20-10 refers to having spoke to her a few weeks prior.

http://www.johnspira.com/b3/2010/12/letter-to-suzanne-spira/

 

[Cubby]

I sure would like to know that COD. It appears that John's sister spoke to Suzanne shortly before her death. The letter dated 11-20-10 refers to having spoke to her a few weeks prior.

http://www.johnspira.com/b3/2010/12/letter-to-suzanne-spira/

Me too. I also wonder why the letter was not returned to Johns sister as it was mailed and would have been post marked after Suzanne died.

Suzanne died October 30 and the letter from Johns sister was mailed exactly 3 weeks later.

I'd think if the letter came back, Johns sister would have mentioned it being refused rather than not receiving a reply. If that is accurate who then opened, read and currently has possession of the letter?

I can't say with certainty but I think Suzanne still had a financial interest in the business at the time of her death.

I wonder what county she died in and who is handling her estate. That info should be online in the probate area for her estate.

 

[SuziQ]

Good point about that letter. Did her and Dave ever move in together? Were they living together at the time of her death? Sounds like the business partner previously unnamed is Dave? I hope Dave likes being the sole focus now.