50/60 year old Amnesia Victim Savannah, GA Thread #5

[christine2448]

Mr Kyle will be featured at our event tonight along with Monica Bowie, Clyde Stewart, Steven Lankester, & Raymond Green.



Georgia based Lighting The Way Home is hosting an event with CUE for the Missing!

CUE will be stopping in Peachtree City, GA on their National Road Tour 2009 August 18, 2009, and we are pleased to announce that we will be having a get together next to City Hall at 151 Willow Bend Road, 30269. All are invited to attend, 7PM.

This is a unique opportunity for those of us who are passionate regarding the plight of the missing to stand shoulder to shoulder with families who are seeking loved ones-please help us to draw attention to the suffering of those who are left behind when a family member disappears.

"On The Road To Remember," is an awareness campaign that focuses on missing person cases that have gone cold, or have not received significant media coverage. The tour, which travels through several states annually, seeks to give these cases the kind of attention they deserve.
Promotional items will be distributed through the tour and at each rally stop.
Please spread the word and encourage people to attend-raising awareness enough to close out even one cold case moves one file from the bottom of the pile and ends the suffering, finally, of one family. The reward is priceless.

Please contact me with any questions!

Christine Jones
Lighting The Way Home
for the Missing & Unidentified
(770) 328-5995 24/7

 

[believe09]

Hi all-

I sent this to the Board of Directors of Alumni University of Colorado Boulder:


Dear Sirs and Madam,

Mr. "Benjaman Kyle" is a well documented retrograde amnesia victim who was discovered unconscious behind a Burger King in Richmond Hill, GA in 2004. In the five years that have followed since his discovery, neither the FBI, local law enforcement or the online Internet community have been able to uncover the actual identity of this intelligent, articulate man. He has been the subject of numerous national media interviews and has even appeared on the Dr Phil Show in an attempt to develop leads that would determine who he was prior to the assault that led to his amnesia.

The reason I am writing to you regarding his case is that he has specific recollections of the University of Colorado Boulder, including the library on campus. Mr. Kyle (as he named himself once he returned to consciousness) has distinct and specific recollections of many areas of Colorado and there is a possibility that he was a student at the University at the time of the draft for Vietnam, which is why his fingerprints do not appear in any military databases as an active or retired member of the service. (Mr Kyle believes that he was born 10 years to the day prior to Michael Jackson, which would give him a birthdate of August 29, 1948.) Mr. Kyle also has the build of a football player and has had surgeries that might indicate he played a contact sport in the past. These have been documented through scars and imaging. He was also possibly an orphan from the Indianapolis area who would have needed scholarship money to attend the University. I am hoping that your organization would be willing and able to either post information regarding Mr. Kyle on the website or in communications to other alumni, or might even be able to comb records that could uncover who this nice man is.

In this post 9-11 world, Mr. Kyle is unable to work or collect benefits as a citizen of the US without proper legal identification. He is currently the subject of a documentary scheduled to be presented at the Sundance Film Festival upon its completion. Anything you can do to assist in ruling in/out the University as a possible source of finding out Mr. Kyle's identity would be truly appreciated. Please see the the following links to determine the veracity of this request:
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjaman_Kyle"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjaman_Kyle[/ame]

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/jul/05/amnesia-victim-boulder-benjaman-kyle-cu/
http://www.savannahnow.com/node/364434
http://www.thegeneticgenealogist.com/2009/01/07/using-genetic-genealogy-to-solve-the-mystery-of-benjaman-kyle/
http://www.kansas.com/news/state/story/932333.html
http://www.indy.com/posts/benjaman-kyle-wikipedia-the-free-encyclopedia

Please let me know if you are able to help in the quest to identify this special man. I am available for any questions or suggestions you might have via return email or over the phone.

Thank you very much for your time!!!!

Sincerely,
Believe09

 

[dreamweaver]

believe09: Thank you for that great letter.

 

[dreamweaver]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009...5259231.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColLowerPromoArea
ot: This amnesia person featured this last weekend. His identity already discovered
by a viewer in Shanghai.
He was found 7/30/9.

If only, Benjaman K, could be so lucky.

 

[dreamweaver]

I decided to read again some of the more recent news articles.
http://www.kansas.com/news/story/93...2&mi_pluck_action=page_nav#Comments_Container
In reading the Wichita Eagle news article, I read all the posts.

In one, it says that Benjaman K's y-dna markers are now upgraded to 67 markers. ''snipped''
wrote on 8/16/2009 6:44:23 AM:
You can see pictures of Benjaman Kyle at
http://home.flash.net/~parino/bkyle.htm . Thanks to Family Tree DNA Benjaman Kyle's Y-DNA test has been upgraded to 67 markers. They also upgraded some of his close matches and tested some of their relatives. Thanks to Fred Mann and the Wichita Eagle for their help.
''snipped''

I did not know if anyone else was aware of that.

It seems like this is a very good thing.

 

[dreamweaver]

The Wichita Eagle article of 8/16/2009
also says ABC's 20/20 is talking about doing a story on Benjaman K.

I checked the abc website. There is no mention of BK as an upcoming story.
I decided to contact 20/20 and ask.

Wouldn't it be great if there was a 20/20 story!

 

[believe09]

The Wichita Eagle article of 8/16/2009
also says ABC's 20/20 is talking about doing a story on Benjaman K.

I checked the abc website. There is no mention of BK as an upcoming story.
I decided to contact 20/20 and ask.

Wouldn't it be great if there was a 20/20 story!

I think this has been in the works for a while-wonder what the hold up is??

 

[Cubby]

What does the 67 marker upgrade mean? Can someone explain how that is different than the previous information was posted? (and can we have that answered on the approp. DNA thread? ) I will copy this question there as well.

 

[Julessleuther]

I saw in Believes letter to the Alumni Assoc of UC that BK might have played football. Here are some archived photos of the U of C at Boulder football team--I only found 1969:

1969:
http://uncbears.com/information/halloffame/1999/1969_Football.jpg

Another 1969 pic:
http://www.rare-maps.com/historicPhoto_detail.cfm?type=photos&rid=884&CFID=110236&CFTOKEN=52469348



Also, in reading about CU Boulder, I found out that they have one of the largest Air Force ROTC detachments in the country.

 

[Julessleuther]

I searched SSDI for Benjamin Powells, and I found one that was born Aug 29, 1950 and who died March 1975, but no death location. His social was issued in Virginia in 1967, and the number was 231-74-7792 (some of the numbers being similar to numbers he remembers). I did find a Benjamin Powell who died in Illinois May 5, 1975, but there is no social so I do not know if it is the same person. There is also a Ben Powell Jr who died Jan 4, 1975 but again, I do not know if this is the same person.

Also, there was a Benjamin W Powell who died Aug 27, 2004 in Roanoke, VA. He was 82, so obviously was not our BK, but perhaps was a family member? Here is the obit:

Friday, August 27, 2004

Benjamin Watkins Powell​

Benjamin Watkins Powell, 82, of Salem, a retired pharmacist, died August 22 in Roanoke.​

Born in South Boston, he attended Randolph Macon College and was a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia School of Pharmacy. He served in the United States Army during WWII prior to attending college. ​

Mr. Powell was president and owner of Powell Pharmacy in Salem and a member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. He was a member of Rotary International of Salem and a Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Powell served twice as a volunteer pharmacist in Haiti at a clinic sponsored by the local Rotary District and also was a volunteer pharmacist at the Bradley Free Clinic. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Salem.​

Survivors of Mr. Powell include his wife, Regine Archer Powell; son and daughter-in-law, William Bryan and Betty T. Powell; one daughter, Patricia Leigh Powell; grandchildren, William B. Powell Jr. and Erin Leigh Powell; brother, Lawrence J. Powell; sister, Mrs. William B. Harris of South Boston, and her children, Mrs. Lionel P. Perkins, Anne Watkins Harris, Dr. William B. Harris Jr. and Robert C.P. Harris. He was preceded in death by one son, Benjamin Thomas Powell.​

Funeral services were held August 25 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bobby J. Pickle officiating.​

Here is another Powell with a son named Benjamin:

John Powell JOHN BENJAMIN POWELL Born on November 10, 1928 in Memphis, Tennessee. He went home to be with the Lord on November 8th, 2004 in Sun Valley, California. He leaves behind one daughter, Brenda and her husband Bruce; three sons, Benjamin and his wife Patrice, John A., and Joseph (Michael) and his wife Jody; and seven grandchildren. His wife, Betty; and daughter, Phyllis, preceded him in death. He was dearly loved by all. We will miss his smile and his laugh. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

 

[Cubby]

Great find Julessleuther! Do you happen to know if any of these Powells are related to the Joseph Powell dna group? That might be a start....

I'll add one thought to these searches. I've been doing random searches looking to find some kind of 'tie' with either the Powell surname or the name Benjaman in the Indianapolis/Marion County area indicating the family was Catholic. Of the umpteen who knows how many records I have searched I have yet to find any link of a Powell family anywhere in Indiana who practise or practised Catholicism. Is anyone having any luck finding Catholic Powells? I'd like to try to branch off that angle if we can find Catholic Powell families ( or the variant of the surname ) in Indiana. I'm just not having any luck via that angle at this point.

On another note... as this crossed my mind. It is possible Mr. Kyle did not attend Catholic school, or only attended Catholic school for a portion of his grade school years. It is possible he remembers CCD classes which may have been held at his church or in the school building. Just a thought.......

 

[Julessleuther]

Good thoughts about the Catholic school Cubby! I am Catholic and went to CCD every week, but did not go to Catholic school. CCD was still such a big part of my life, however, and I can remember things I did in 1st and 2nd grade CCD! I will check to see if there is any connection between these Powells and the Joseph Powell DNA group. Mmmm--how do I check that?

Great find Julessleuther! Do you happen to know if any of these Powells are related to the Joseph Powell dna group? That might be a start....

I'll add one thought to these searches. I've been doing random searches looking to find some kind of 'tie' with either the Powell surname or the name Benjaman in the Indianapolis/Marion County area indicating the family was Catholic. Of the umpteen who knows how many records I have searched I have yet to find any link of a Powell family anywhere in Indiana who practise or practised Catholicism. Is anyone having any luck finding Catholic Powells? I'd like to try to branch off that angle if we can find Catholic Powell families ( or the variant of the surname ) in Indiana. I'm just not having any luck via that angle at this point.

On another note... as this crossed my mind. It is possible Mr. Kyle did not attend Catholic school, or only attended Catholic school for a portion of his grade school years. It is possible he remembers CCD classes which may have been held at his church or in the school building. Just a thought.......

 

[Julessleuther]

O/T but did you know there was a Joseph Powell who was Jimmy Carter's press secretary?

[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Lester_Powell[/ame]

He was born in Cordele, GA and goes by Jody Powell.

http://www.powelltate.com/aboutus/staff_powell.asp

Ok--I am guessing that this has already been researched, but there was a Joseph Powell, born 1903 in Oklahoma who lived in Michigan City, Laporte Indiana in 1930. Whatever the living arrangements, he lived with MANY (approx 100) men at the same residence. It appears there were no women living in the residence.

There was a James Richard Powell who was born Aug 6, 1949 from Greensburg, Indiana who died in Vietnam in June 1970. It says his body was recovered, but...

As far as the Catholic school comment, maybe his family was not Catholic but he did attend Catholic school? I know people who have done that...

 

[Cubby]

Good thoughts about the Catholic school Cubby! I am Catholic and went to CCD every week, but did not go to Catholic school. CCD was still such a big part of my life, however, and I can remember things I did in 1st and 2nd grade CCD! I will check to see if there is any connection between these Powells and the Joseph Powell DNA group. Mmmm--how do I check that?

Carolwood has a good understanding and detail regarding the Powell DNA group... she has some info she is working on as well. Perhaps the two of you can share/compare notes. GL!

 

[dreamweaver]

"I mean, what is an un-birthday present?"
"A present given when it isn't your birthday, of course."
Alice considered a little. "I like birthday presents best," she said at last.
"You don't know what you're talking about!" cried Humpty Dumpty. "How many days are there in a year?"
"Three hundred and sixty-five," said Alice.
"And how many birthdays have you?"
"One."
- Lewis Carroll -

Hoping you have an unbirthday gift very soon.
All questions will be answered.

 

[Kentjbkent]

I think this has been in the works for a while-wonder what the hold up is??

I actually live in Richmond Hill, about 5 miles from the Burger King where he was found (it is now torn down).

There was an update to his story about the "markers" and Powell family tie here locally, as well as in the Savannah newspaper within the last week. Those articles also mentioned that 20/20 will be broadcasting a story in the near future.

Going to see if I can find links to the recent stories...

http://savannahnow.com/node/771941

 

[Kentjbkent]

I have been following the story of Benjamin in the media for some time and recall his visit to Dr Phil but had NO IDEA this forum existed!. Am trying to slowly start at the beginning of all of these threads to catch up on all the wonderful, hard work you guys have put in, but have a few general questions to get me started.

Was it ever determined what mode of transportation Benjamin was using when he arrived in Richmond Hill area? Was he driving his own vehicle, travelling with someone else? Could he have been a passenger in an 18 wheeler?

The reason I ask is that I am very familiar with the area he was found in. Richmond Hill is a very small quiet town (even smaller back when this happened) but the Burger King he was found behind was directly across the street from a huge "not so nice' truckstop. This particular one mile stretch of Hwy 17 is directly off I-95 and is seedy motels, convenience stores and fast food restaurants. This mile stretch becomes a "dark world" after the sun goes down and the prostitutes and loiters come out. There have been a number of robberies (people), shootings and lots of drug dealing going on in the small motels. But it IS a popular area for travellers to stop while travelling down I-95 to gas up, eat, etc.

I just always wondered if he could have possibly been travelling with someone in an 18 wheeler that stopped at the truck shop. I know they have a truckers lounge, showers you can rent, etc. and wonder if the truck stop may have records if he "checked out" one of the showers, etc. I think it is obvious that he was mugged and robbed most likely after going into Burger King, which by the way, did not sit on the side of Hwy 17. There was a very small gas station in front and Burger King sat behind it a good distance. (Burger King went out of business about a year ago and was recently torn down)

I have no doubt the local police did little followup after he was taken by ambulance. I know a couple of the officers that were interviewed in the Dr Phil taping.

 

[carolwood]

I have been following the story of Benjamin in the media for some time and recall his visit to Dr Phil but had NO IDEA this forum existed!. Am trying to slowly start at the beginning of all of these threads to catch up on all the wonderful, hard work you guys have put in, but have a few general questions to get me started.

Was it ever determined what mode of transportation Benjamin was using when he arrived in Richmond Hill area? Was he driving his own vehicle, travelling with someone else? Could he have been a passenger in an 18 wheeler?

The reason I ask is that I am very familiar with the area he was found in. Richmond Hill is a very small quiet town (even smaller back when this happened) but the Burger King he was found behind was directly across the street from a huge "not so nice' truckstop. This particular one mile stretch of Hwy 17 is directly off I-95 and is seedy motels, convenience stores and fast food restaurants. This mile stretch becomes a "dark world" after the sun goes down and the prostitutes and loiters come out. There have been a number of robberies (people), shootings and lots of drug dealing going on in the small motels. But it IS a popular area for travellers to stop while travelling down I-95 to gas up, eat, etc.

I just always wondered if he could have possibly been travelling with someone in an 18 wheeler that stopped at the truck shop. I know they have a truckers lounge, showers you can rent, etc. and wonder if the truck stop may have records if he "checked out" one of the showers, etc. I think it is obvious that he was mugged and robbed most likely after going into Burger King, which by the way, did not sit on the side of Hwy 17. There was a very small gas station in front and Burger King sat behind it a good distance. (Burger King went out of business about a year ago and was recently torn down)

I have no doubt the local police did little followup after he was taken by ambulance. I know a couple of the officers that were interviewed in the Dr Phil taping.

Welcome Kentjbkent

snipped...
Was it ever determined what mode of transportation Benjamin was using when he arrived in Richmond Hill area? (NO)
Was he driving his own vehicle, travelling with someone else? (Don't Know)
Could he have been a passenger in an 18 wheeler? (Don't Know)

Since your from that area, do you remember the turn-around at the plant, up the road from there where several people were killed in crane accidents? At the moment, can't remember the name of the plant, but was told to us on these boards at one time there were several hundred people at that location working and the hotels in the area were booked solid. Do you know if this was the case with the hotels? Thanks and again Welcome.

 

[Kentjbkent]

Welcome Kentjbkent

Since your from that area, do you remember the turn-around at the plant, up the road from there where several people were killed in crane accidents? At the moment, can't remember the name of the plant, but was told to us on these boards at one time there were several hundred people at that location working and the hotels in the area were booked solid. Do you know if this was the case with the hotels? Thanks and again Welcome.

Yes, I do recall an incident. It was actually only one worker (he lived here in Richmond Hill, had 3 small children) and it was a forklift accident. It also took place at the truck stop I mentioned earlier that is across the street from the Burger King not at a plant (there are no plants in the area). The truck stop was doing some construction on a new "overhang" area to the side where truckers can wash their rigs if I recall right.

OSHA obviously got involved and the truck stop (T/A) was fined for lack of training, unsafe equipment, etc.

Just went looking for an archive newspaper article to get the actual date of the incident (August 26, 2004) and read in the article that between 2002 - 2003 OSHA had investigated 11 forklift related fatalities in the southeast. Maybe that is where the "several people were killed in crane accidents" came from. When this accident happened, it was big news for a few days since it was a local father involved and the truck stop was blocked off for a few days.

The motels in the area we are talking about are usually only booked and busy during the big St Pat's Day celebration in Savannah. These motels are usually occupied "by the hour" or by transients looking for work. With the exception of a Holiday Inn, the rates usually run $29.99 a night.....lots of drug activity, domestic calls, etc at these motels by the local police.

I don't think he was most likely staying at one of these though. I think that would have been easy for the police to check.

I do know two of the investigators very well and will ask them of their recollections the next time I run into them.

 

[Boyz_Mum]

Welcome to the thread here, Kentjbkent!

It's very nice to have a local person here, thanks for sharing what you know about the area.

Do you remember if around the time Benjaman was found, was there a lot of activity because of the hurricane? (Were people stranded in your area, because of flight cancelations or anything like that?) I don't say things very well, but I'm wondering if there is a particular destination "on the ocean" that you think Bejaman could have been heading towards, if he was traveling I-95? Your description of the area does make it seem like a robbery/beating could take place without much attention being paid. If Benjaman had been traveling by car, could he have ended up in this area as an easy off the highway spot to grab a hotel or something?

Sorry to bombard you with questions, I'd love to hear your opinions, since you are local. :blowkiss: