CA CA - Virgil Owen Bussell, Jr., 52, Weitchpec, 25 Mar 2020

[burblestein]

All the true crime books I have read agree that if a murder is not investigated within 72 hours of its occurrence, the chance of catching the culprit decreases drastically.

Three weeks??

 

[CastlesBurning]

Candlelight Vigil at Courthouse in Support of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People – Redheaded Blackbelt

 

[mlhenn]

Even with the $15k reward, sadly no one has come forward with any info on Virgil’s case.

 

[amanda_lee]

Missing Hoopa Man’s Truck Found Abandoned With Keys and a Full Load of Wood – Redheaded Blackbelt

I linked this article in a previous post, but I just noticed the number of comments made regarding it. I believe they are worth noting. A person with initials AL seems to have a lot of info seeing she replies to the majority of que or comments made by others.

-- If you mean me, Amanda Lee, I am the missing's relative. I was painfully desperate to derive information out of anyone online, anonymously, on his whereabouts. I was in close contact with his children as things progressed, and shared tidbits as appropriate. A lot of people were spinning narratives on Redheaded Blackbelt, that I thought necessary to discredit with facts I knew.

Virgil and I are Natinixwe, aka Hoopa People. By our cultural law, we are brother and sister. I followed a lot of articles and comment forums, hoping against hope that someone would post a clue.
It has been nearly a year now, and we still have no solid answers. But, I do know medicine/karma finds its way to anyone who wouldnt disclose what they knew, and will soon dispense its due on those who still will not come forward, and my family doesnt even have to lift a finger. It is the way and law of our people...in time, those who have made bad medicine(karma) and/or their loved ones suffer until it is made right. Indeed it has come to pass, and again, I reiterate, is not done; it will come for the rest of those involved and refuse to come forward.

Thank you for taking notice of the comments, and weeding me out. I am glad people are keeping an eye on such details. Nearly a year later without much help or progress, but we have still not given up, and will not give up.
We. Will. Bring. Him. Home.

 

[mlhenn]

@amanda_lee I can’t begin to imagine what you & the family are going through. I try to periodically check for any new updates on Virgil’s case & pray answers come soon.

“For nothing is hidden. Whatever is done in the dark will come out in the light.”

 

[Knox]

-- If you mean me, Amanda Lee, I am the missing's relative. I was painfully desperate to derive information out of anyone online, anonymously, on his whereabouts. I was in close contact with his children as things progressed, and shared tidbits as appropriate. A lot of people were spinning narratives on Redheaded Blackbelt, that I thought necessary to discredit with facts I knew.

Virgil and I are Natinixwe, aka Hoopa People. By our cultural law, we are brother and sister. I followed a lot of articles and comment forums, hoping against hope that someone would post a clue.
It has been nearly a year now, and we still have no solid answers. But, I do know medicine/karma finds its way to anyone who wouldnt disclose what they knew, and will soon dispense its due on those who still will not come forward, and my family doesnt even have to lift a finger. It is the way and law of our people...in time, those who have made bad medicine(karma) and/or their loved ones suffer until it is made right. Indeed it has come to pass, and again, I reiterate, is not done; it will come for the rest of those involved and refuse to come forward.

Thank you for taking notice of the comments, and weeding me out. I am glad people are keeping an eye on such details. Nearly a year later without much help or progress, but we have still not given up, and will not give up.
We. Will. Bring. Him. Home.

First, thank you for coming here - second, for being such a strong voice for Virgil. I have no doubt you will bring him home.

 

[mlhenn]

Sadly, Virgil has been missing for a year now.

@amanda_lee are there any updates?
I pray the family gets closure & answers soon.

 

[YaYa_521]

Virgil is still missing. HCSO's post from 27 Mar 2020:

The HCSO Special Services Unit, the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Posse and the Hoopa Volunteer Fire Department are conducting an extensive ground search in the area of Highway 96 and Deerhorn Road in Weitchpec for a missing 52 year old man.

Virgil Owen Bussell Jr., of Weitchpec, was reported missing on March 25, 2020, at about 8 p.m. after his truck was discovered abandoned on Deerhorn Road earlier that evening. It is believed that Bussell Jr. was possibly cutting firewood prior to his disappearance.
Teams are searching through thick vegetation and rugged terrain in an effort to locate Bussell Jr. or any evidence of his location.

Bussell Jr. is described as a Native American male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, approximately 180 pounds, with black hair, a beard and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and work boots.

Anyone who has seen Bussell Jr. in the last few weeks or has information regarding his whereabouts should contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

 

[amandalee_]

Sadly, Virgil has been missing for a year now.

@amanda_lee are there any updates?
I pray the family gets closure & answers soon.

I lost my password, created a new account. No real updates. But today was peculiar, as I was made aware of some hearsay...I came here to vent.
Someone now claims to know his whereabouts, but only tells select people within their social circle, yet has not/will not make a statement to investigators (giving us just cause to search that area).
I find that incredibly sick.
I am so sad that anyone is capable of standing in the way of allowing his loved ones to bring him home.
I was reading over other sites and people's input. I feel compelled to mention that he did not voluntarily disappear. He wouldnt do that to us. He loves his family very much - his children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, his only surviving paternal uncle, his cousins; he had a relationship with all of us, and he wouldnt put us through this agony of not ever seeing him again, or not knowing that he is safe.
The reward stands at $30,000 I believe.
Until we get solid evidence, and/or statements that are not hearsay, we are in a deadlock - and it pains me.
He used to do this silly raspberry sound/face; and earlier this evening something caught my attention while I was leaving the gas station; I looked toward the direction of what caught ny attention, and I heard that raspberry sound...I cried to myself. After today's revelation (albeit of hearsay), I have to believe it was a sign that we are that much closer.
I think about him every day.
I know we are going to find him, but I wish it was sooner and that people who have valuable information on his location had the backbone to make a statement to appropriate authorities - as a decent human act.
I appreciate this thread so much.
Thank you for allowing me to rant. <3

 

[mlhenn]

@amandalee_ my heart breaks for you. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Reading your latest post brought tears to my eyes.

 

[lindamichelle1]

It appears he is still missing Thinking of Virgil

 

[Luckyzmom]

Praying for Virgil to be found soon.And for friends and y to find peace and comfort
Always here for you Amanda Lee Hugs

 

[Pennysmom1]

Feb 8, 2021

Activists for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Rally to Remember Khadijah Britton Three Years After She Disappeared – MendoFever – Mendocino County News

News from Mendocino County & Beyond

mendofever.com

May 5, 2023

North Coast tribes march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons' Awareness Day

Members from Norther California's Yurok, Karuk, Round Valley and Hoopa tribes joined the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation in Crescent City Friday where they all marched to

krcrtv.com

 

[Pennysmom1]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

MISSING

Demographics
Missing Age 52 Years
Current Age 55 - 56 Years
First Name Virgil
Middle Name Owen
Last Name Bussell, Jr
Nickname/Alias--

Sex Male
Height 5' 8" (68 Inches)
Weight 180 lbs
Race / Ethnicity American Indian / Alaska Native
Tribe Enrollment / Affiliation Unknown

Circumstances​

Date of Last Contact March 1, 2020
NamUs Case Created April 29, 2020

Last Known Location Map​

Location Weitchpec, California
County Humboldt County
Missing From Tribal Land Yes
Primary Residence on Tribal Land--

Circumstances of Disappearance Virgil Bussell, Jr. disappeared in early March 2020 from the Weitchpec area of Humboldt County.

Physical Description​

Hair Color Gray or Partially Gray
Head Hair Description--
Body Hair Description--
Facial Hair Description--
Left Eye Color Brown
Right Eye Color Brown
Eye Description--

---

Distinctive Physical Features​

Item
Description
Tattoo
Numerous tattoos on both arms, shoulders, chest, see IMAGES

Tattoo
right upper arm "BUSCAT"

Other distinctive physical characteristic
Large lump on forehead

• 
• 

 

[mlhenn]

Virgil Owen Bussell Jr. – The Charley Project

May 14, 2024; casefile added.

Virgil Owen Bussell Jr.​

• 
• 

Details of Disappearance​

Bussell was last seen in Weitchpec, California on March 15, 2020. He may have been cutting firewood prior to his disappearance. He has never been heard from again. He was reported missing on March 25, after his truck was found abandoned on Deerhorn Road in Weitchpec. Few details are available in his case.

Investigating Agency​

• Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office 707-445-7439

Source Information​

• California Attorney General's Office
• KRCR 7

 

[amandalee_]

Coming upon 5yrs.
I still think of him, every day.
And hold out hope that we will find him.

Someone who was of strong interest in Virgil's disappearance passed away since my last post/update. I can only wonder if it was karma. He maintained he had no idea what happened to Virgil, but he didnt have the best reputation and was a known unsavory character.

I have heard more hearsay. Still no one has come forward with strong leads. Just speculation after speculation.

He remains loved, and not forgotten nonetheless.
We will find him. He will come home, in one form or another.

 

[mlhenn]

@amandalee_ I think of Virgil’s case often. I pray for answers.