CA CA - John Beck, 73, Alameda, 9 Feb 2016 #1

[JoyM]

From reading the banruptcy laws of CA, his home would have been worth much more than the amount allowed.

Somewhere I believe many of us have heard that in a bankruptcy you get to keep your house. Unfortunately, that is not necessarily the case. In my state, one can only have so much equity in the house to keep it! Believe me when I say the amount is so low, in today's market, it would be a junker.

Not to mention the fact that the real estate market in the bay area is one of the most expensive in the country now, due to the tech boom. I think my parents bought their house for $50 or $60K in the 60s, and it is a modest, middle class home and they've never renovated or upgraded it. But it's probably worth more than a million dollars now. I have a decent middle class job, but I could never afford to buy a home in my hometown today! (I'm from Oakland, right next to Alameda, but prices have sky rocketed all over the bay.)

So the value of a normal, not fancy family home has skyrocketed, even if the home itself hasn't been changed or renovated.

 

[JoyM]

BBM

These are really good questions.

I recall that the searches for public transportation to Sutro Baths and Baker Beach were done early in the morning of the day he disappeared 2/9. So doesn't seem planned ahead. I assume he researched these places just so he could get there easily without his car. But why?

Later they found street views of various places...the Embarcadero BART station, Sutro Baths and the address on Sacramento St. I recall Joy saying that these were done at 4:00 a.m. I assumed she meant the same morning he disappeared. They were buried deeper (deleted?) so it took longer to find. The Sacramento St address has been checkout out, along with others in the area.

Other searches that were done 2/1 and 2/2 haven't been found to have significance yet. We were discussing them Friday evening when the Sebastopol report came in.

I hope Joy can answer the rest or correct any mistakes I've made.

this is all correct! You're incredible at organizing and synthesizing information. Thank you!

 

[JoyM]

One problem with something like psychosis ( uti theory ) is that his behavior would be so bizarre that anyone he encountered would certainly know something was going on and call for help. Untreated, that behavior would get worse after some days. There is just no way that I can believe he's anywhere near others and those others are not aware that this man needs help. So, I go back and forth on that one.

I'm sure this was covered days ago but does John have any medical conditions, even slight? Most folks that age are on a few meds for this or that and not necessarily serious concerns. But let's say he took something for cholesterol and now has not had that in over a week. Might there be any side effects from stopping any meds cold turkey when he left ? Sorry to ramble, just thinking out loud .

We don't know of anything that could explain this. We've been trying to get his records from his doctor, but California's privacy laws are very strict (or maybe our national laws are?) and we would need a court order. This, apparently, will be very difficult to obtain because we don't really have the evidence to establish probable cause. We're still working on it, but it's definitely an uphill push.

 

[JoyM]

A strap was seen in the Lands End photo that matches the glasses case in another photo, so he may have sunglasses with him if he wears them. I have a faint recollection that he doesn't, but Joy would know. If he does, your idea is excellent!

Yes, I've never seen him in sunglasses. The glasses case is to switch between different types of glasses--for close up vs. far away.

 

[Deleted member 165632]

Hi JoyM,
Thank you so much for the updates and also answering questions. I really hoped that John would be found over the weekend in Sebastopol. Once again, just wanted to say what an amazing job you, John's family & friends are doing.

Since you mentioned that the search has returned to SF, I had one more suggestion...

SF seems to be one of the few major cities with SROs (single room occupancy) buildings. I saw in this article that some are run by non-profit/gov't housing and some are for-profit (some may even operate as "hotels"). They are not great buildings... usually considered one step above homelessness... and not very safe...
I don't know if it is worth checking out... I have not found a comprehensive list online, maybe another WSer can weigh in.

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/1-000-a-month-for-bedbugs-shared-bathroom-in-5668140.php
http://www.sfhsa.org/91.htm

 

[LivingJuicy]

I've been thinking about John since this thread started. It just makes me so.. sad. I am on the east coast but sure wish I was closer, I would definitely want to help.

I had a couple of questions -

Is John religious or practicing of any specific religion?
Does John have grandchildren? If so, is there anyway an appeal from family, including the kids could help lure him home (maybe he feels guilty or that he has burdened family for the past business/legal matters?)
Does John have a drivers licence and if so - could he rent a car (I know he doesn't have known cash on him and there is no credit card activity?)
Could he have another credit card that no one is aware of? Maybe pull his credit to see about recent inquiries?


Just a few random questions on my mind tonight. He has a gentle face and kind eyes (if that makes sense) and I really just hope he's found.

 

[cvaldez1975]

yep. im down in san jose, housing prices are freakin astronomical.

Not to mention the fact that the real estate market in the bay area is one of the most expensive in the country now, due to the tech boom. I think my parents bought their house for $50 or $60K in the 60s, and it is a modest, middle class home and they've never renovated or upgraded it. But it's probably worth more than a million dollars now. I have a decent middle class job, but I could never afford to buy a home in my hometown today! (I'm from Oakland, right next to Alameda, but prices have sky rocketed all over the bay.)

So the value of a normal, not fancy family home has skyrocketed, even if the home itself hasn't been changed or renovated.

 

[Frigga]

Praying John is found safe and soon. Wish I had more to offer.

This may sound silly but Boy Scouts are always trying to earn badges- especially the older ones getting close to their Eagle Scout project.

Is there Any chance you could enlist a local troop? Each troop will of course have connections to other troops who could pitch in to help.

I know from personal experience that often times there are dads who are ex-military, police officers, lawyers and business men along with a host of other awesome trades and capabilities.

I would find a troop and see if they could brainstorm ways they could assist you!

Do a good turn daily- is part of their oath!

Good luck Joy- I'm so sorry for what you are going through.

 

[nannymo]

I personally believe the family or PI needs to start at square one again and see where it leads you. As much as the family feels there is a medical reason John left, I feel he left voluntarily and does not wish to be found. Go back to the initial sighting on the Land's End trail and proceed to the possible sighting at 4PM and then branch out from there. Has LE said anything else about TX Equuasearch? The family really needs to push LE to invite them into the search. They are great at locating people and have all the equipment to be successful. The longer you wait the more difficult it is to find any more clues. Hoping John is found soon.

 

[cujenn81]

I'd be happy to share everything with you guys, but the problem is that it is an ongoing legal action, and we've been advised it's unwise to speak about it publicly. John's wife still has to continue with this case. I'm sorry, I just can't share more.

Oh no, Joy! I completely understand your reasons for not disclosing information about John's legal case, and I didn't mean to imply I was talking about this case specifically. My apologies! I just meant WS cases, in general, that result in a missing person being found--how it might be helpful to know what circumstances initially led to their disappearance. I should have made that more clear.

 

[Deleted member 50844]

I personally believe the family or PI needs to start at square one again and see where it leads you. As much as the family feels there is a medical reason John left, I feel he left voluntarily and does not wish to be found. Go back to the initial sighting on the Land's End trail and proceed to the possible sighting at 4PM and then branch out from there. Has LE said anything else about TX Equuasearch? The family really needs to push LE to invite them into the search. They are great at locating people and have all the equipment to be successful. The longer you wait the more difficult it is to find any more clues. Hoping John is found soon.

I agree. It seems John did plan his disappearance, at least to some extent. I know it's very difficult to understand, but even in circumstances where the missing person is seemingly living a happy normal life it happens. One case that keeps coming to my mind as I follow John's thread is that of Nicholas Francisco. http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?60495-WA-Nicholas-Francisco-28-Seattle-13-Feb-2008-1

That case blew my mind, as well as most everyone who followed it. You think you truly know someone...

 

[1&2&3]

The value of the house has nothing to do with how much equity you have in it. You may have $60,000 equity in a house worth $60,000 (100% equity) or you may have $5,000 equity in a $500,000 house. You may have a low equity even though you have paid on the house for 30 years because you may have taken out home equity loans or refinanced the house multiple times.

I have to disagree with you. In working with someone, I personally sat in the bankruptcy lawyer's office and heard him say one could only have amount of equity in their home to keep it. This person had too much equity and would lose their home!

We were both flabbergasted!

 

[Timekeeper65]

:candle:

Thoughts and prayers going UP tonight for the family and friends of JB.

 

[persimmon]

I have to disagree with you. In working with someone, I personally sat in the bankruptcy lawyer's office and heard him say one could only have amount of equity in their home to keep it. This person had too much equity and would lose their home!

We were both flabbergasted!

There are different types of bankruptcy filings. Maybe that plays a role? Honestly, I'm clueless but just an idea. I do know people who have kept their homes after filing but they may have had little equity. With California's housing prices a reappraisal could benefit someone.

 

[persimmon]

:candle:

Thoughts and prayers going UP tonight for the family and friends of JB.

Yes, this is the most important thing to focus on. I greatly empathize with his loved ones. He looked so happy in his role as grandfather...I hope he returns to it.

 

[Lilibet]

I'm really stumped. I have to wonder if something is going on as it's been really quiet on the FB page and people are asking for updates without being answered.

If not and they have hit a wall and are regrouping, I agree that they need to start over from scratch at Lands End and see where it takes them. Yes to Texas Equuasearch. Let us know what you need.

I'm so sorry. Prayers for all.

 

[nannymo]

Unfortunately, Tx Equuasearch will only come at the request of LE. That has to be initiated by the family but I sure feel that they have a good chance of finding him with all of the hands on work the family has accomplished.

 

[Lilibet]

I hate to be the one to post the latest article about the FTC case, but John's brother seems to believe that John may have been trying to save his house, as we've discussed here. Alameda Police categorize John as a voluntary missing person.

Stephen Beck said he believes his brother disappeared on purpose, thinking it would prevent the FTC from taking the Regent Street home belonging to him and his wife.
“If so, he chose to sacrifice himself for the benefit of his family,” Stephen Beck said. “And from my lifelong knowledge of his character, that sounds like something he would do.”
Despite Beck’s legal troubles, his brother insisted Beck is an honest, benevolent person who became the target of an overzealous government crackdown.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Reputed-victims-of-John-Beck-speak-out-6847874.php

 

[Lilibet]

Unfortunately, Tx Equuasearch will only come at the request of LE. That has to be initiated by the family but I sure feel that they have a good chance of finding him with all of the hands on work the family has accomplished.

Since Alameda PD now calls John a voluntary missing person, as mentioned in the new article, I wonder if that is why they haven't asked TX Equuasearch to come. Referring to the shifted focus to Sepastopol:

It’s kind of driving me nuts because we’re all running around trying to look for him, and he’s left of his own accord,” said Lt. Jill Ottaviano of the Alameda Police Department. She said the police categorized Beck as a “voluntary missing person.”

That could have been said a little more tactfully!

http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Reputed-victims-of-John-Beck-speak-out-6847874.php

 

[nannymo]

Someone commented on the facebook page that there are caves in the Sutro Baths area and when the tides come in the caves fill with water.....have the caves been searched?

I agree about the inactivity on the facebook page also. I hope no news is good news so far.

Thank you Lilibet for the update from the Brother! It makes this sort of fall together to me in my mind.