Found Deceased FL - Robert Heikka, 70, Port Orange, 25 Oct 2020

[PayrollNerd]

This is confusing. The PIO says RH didn't show up for work on the morning of the 25th which is a Monday, but the 25th of Oct was a Sunday.

The lead investigator says RH was seen leaving his home by neighbors on the morning of the 24th. All initial reports were that RH was last seen leaving his home on the 25th.

This is what I have until there is clarification...

Sat, Oct 24 – RH was seen in the evening near Cocoa (Brevard County) in Cape Canaveral Shores at an ATM. He appeared to be alone in the video and made a typical bank transaction.

Sun, Oct 25 – Neighbors saw RH driving away in the morning from his home at 1650 Arash Cir, Port Orange, FL. Address is per Volusia FL Public Access (vcgov.org).

Sun, Oct 25 – RH’s cell phone pinged by Interstate 4 and State Road 44 near the Volusia County Fairgrounds.

Mon, Oct 26 – When RH was a no-show at Creekside Middle School, staff went to his home. When there was no answer, they contacted police.

Welcome to Websleuths! Nice to have you with us.

Interesting to see that “typical bank transaction” terminology rather than “withdrew cash” or “deposited a check.” Cash is not used as frequently anymore and during this pandemic, it has been discouraged for safety. Very little use of paper checks too and they can be deposited using a mobile app and camera. Transferring money from one account to another can also be done online.

To go to an ATM on a Sat evening makes me think he needed cash to stay under the radar on Sunday.

 

[PommyMommy]

Just relistened to the press conference posted directly on the Port Orange Police Department Facebook page. Mr. Heikka was last seen on October 24th via the bank ATM video footage. They are now saying that no neighbors saw him on Oct 25th.

I re-listened to it this morning as well.

About 4 minutes in a reporter asks about his last location and the investigator responds that they can 100% put him in the area of Cocoa, Cape Canaveral shores area on the evening of Oct. 24.

At the 5 minute mark, the investigator says that he was last seen by neighbors on the morning of Oct. 24 leaving his residence.

Revised timeline:

Sat, Oct 24 – Neighbors saw RH driving away in the morning from his home at 1650 Arash Cir, Port Orange, FL. Address is per Volusia FL Public Access (vcgov.org).

Sat, Oct 24 – RH was seen in the evening near Cocoa (Brevard County) in Cape Canaveral Shores at an ATM. He appeared to be alone in the video and made a typical bank transaction.

Sun, Oct 25 – RH’s cell phone pinged by Interstate 4 and State Road 44 near the Volusia County Fairgrounds.

Mon, Oct 26 – When RH was a no-show at Creekside Middle School, staff went to his home. When there was no answer, they contacted police.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=3615966348468731

 

[rcr32738]

Interesting to see that “typical bank transaction” terminology rather than “withdrew cash” or “deposited a check.” Cash is not used as frequently anymore and during this pandemic, it has been discouraged for safety. Very little use of paper checks too and they can be deposited using a mobile app and camera. Transferring money from one account to another can also be done online.

To go to an ATM on a Sat evening makes me think he needed cash to stay under the radar on Sunday.

Mr. Heikka was my teacher way back in 1994-95. Very nice guy. It's weird how little information there is out there surrounding this case and I actually did not hear about it until yesterday, even though he's been missing since later October. One of the articles I read said he was seeing a woman. Do we know if the police have talked to her? Was she with him in Cocoa on Saturday, the 24th? Just seems like there are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding this case.

 

[brooks]

Very strange. During the Presser, LE didn't even verify the specific location the phone pinged.

 

[mlhenn]

I searched DeLand FL in WS after coming across an article & this thread appeared. I’m not familiar with this case so I have no idea if this article is connected.
Human remains found in DeLand; investigation underway, police say
https://www.wesh.com/article/human-...nd-investigation-underway-police-say/34965554
DeLand Police Department detectives are asking for the public's help in the case of an unidentified man whose human remains were found in the wooded area near State Road 15A and International Speedway Boulevard.

 

[PommyMommy]

I searched DeLand FL in WS after coming across an article & this thread appeared. I’m not familiar with this case so I have no idea if this article is connected.
Human remains found in DeLand; investigation underway, police say
DeLand Police Department detectives are asking for the public's help in the case of an unidentified man whose human remains were found in the wooded area near State Road 15A and International Speedway Boulevard.

Noting location - approx 8 miles from the area RH's phone last pinged. There are several wooded areas near State Rd 15 and International Speedway Blvd.

Volusia County Fair to 29.054806, -81.325009 - Google Maps

Deland Police Dept Press Release: Suspicious incident | DeLand Police Department (crimewatchfl.com)

 

[GatorFL]

Noting location - approx 8 miles from the area RH's phone last pinged. There are several wooded areas near State Rd 15 and International Speedway Blvd.

Volusia County Fair to 29.054806, -81.325009 - Google Maps

Deland Police Dept Press Release: Suspicious incident | DeLand Police Department (crimewatchfl.com)

It's not very far at all from where he pinged last. IIRC that's over by the Deland Airport. Small wooded areas and also a number of neighborhoods and businesses. I used to run out by that airport.

 

[anonypotomous]

No updates?

 

[rcr32738]

No updates?

I was wondering the same thing and came here hoping maybe someone posted an update. I have searched several times and the last news update appears to be the news conference that Port Orange police held on 12/7. I'm surprised this case isn't getting more attention.

 

[KatzEye]

This article from December may have been previously posted, but I didn't find it. FBI and several agencies are involved.

FBI helping in search for Port Orange teacher missing since Oct. 25

In a press conference Monday morning, Sgt. Steven Nagy, a Port Orange police detective, said that in addition to the FBI, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, Daytona Beach police and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office are assisting with the investigation into the disappearance of Robert Heikka.

 

[freckles]

Interesting to see that “typical bank transaction” terminology rather than “withdrew cash” or “deposited a check.” Cash is not used as frequently anymore and during this pandemic, it has been discouraged for safety. Very little use of paper checks too and they can be deposited using a mobile app and camera. Transferring money from one account to another can also be done online.

To go to an ATM on a Sat evening makes me think he needed cash to stay under the radar on Sunday.

The use of “typical bank transaction” could mean that it was consistent with his pattern of transactions.

 

[brooks]

So here we are with another man who has just disappeared off the face of the earth, and nobody is searching for him. Sad.

 

[oceanstarryeyes]

I re-listened to it this morning as well.

About 4 minutes in a reporter asks about his last location and the investigator responds that they can 100% put him in the area of Cocoa, Cape Canaveral shores area on the evening of Oct. 24.

At the 5 minute mark, the investigator says that he was last seen by neighbors on the morning of Oct. 24 leaving his residence.

Revised timeline:

Sat, Oct 24 – Neighbors saw RH driving away in the morning from his home at 1650 Arash Cir, Port Orange, FL. Address is per Volusia FL Public Access (vcgov.org).

Sat, Oct 24 – RH was seen in the evening near Cocoa (Brevard County) in Cape Canaveral Shores at an ATM. He appeared to be alone in the video and made a typical bank transaction.

Sun, Oct 25 – RH’s cell phone pinged by Interstate 4 and State Road 44 near the Volusia County Fairgrounds.

Mon, Oct 26 – When RH was a no-show at Creekside Middle School, staff went to his home. When there was no answer, they contacted police.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=3615966348468731

Sat, Oct 24 – RH was seen in the evening near Cocoa (Brevard County) in Cape Canaveral Shores at an ATM. He appeared to be alone in the video and made a typical bank transaction.

Would be great to know what time he was seen at the ATM near Cocoa on Sat evening.
How late in the evening was it?
Did he not arrive home from Cocoa on the 24th?

I keep thinking he could have landed in water off an exit on I-4.
Orlando Weather Sat Oct 24 Tropical Depression No. 28 forms, expected to strengthen

 

[GatorFL]

Would be great to know what time he was seen at the ATM near Cocoa on Sat evening.
How late in the evening was it?
Did he not arrive home from Cocoa on the 24th?

I keep thinking he could have landed in water off an exit on I-4.
Orlando Weather Sat Oct 24 Tropical Depression No. 28 forms, expected to strengthen

Would have been I-95, not I-4 to get back to Port Orange from Cocoa.

 

[oceanstarryeyes]

Would have been I-95, not I-4 to get back to Port Orange from Cocoa.

His phone last pinged Deland Exit off of I-4

 

[GatorFL]

His phone last pinged Deland Exit off of I-4

Yes I know. But he wasn't getting to Port Orange from Cocoa on I-4. He would have driven PAST PO on I-95 to get to where he last pinged. Lots of mysteries on this one, the timeline has a lot of gaps in it.

 

[oceanstarryeyes]

Yes I know. But he wasn't getting to Port Orange from Cocoa on I-4. He would have driven PAST PO on I-95 to get to where he last pinged. Lots of mysteries on this one, the timeline has a lot of gaps in it.

Beachline Express goes straight to Cocoa from I-4
His girlfriend lived off of I-4. That could be the route he drove to get to where his last ping location was detected. I-4 and Deland Exit.

 

[GatorFL]

Beachline Express goes straight to Cocoa from I-4
His girlfriend lived off of I-4. That could be the route he drove to get to where his last ping location was detected. I-4 and Deland Exit.

528 puts him smack dab in the middle of Orlando, I-4 is a nightmare right now. Doubtful he went that way. Would be easier and faster to go 95 to 4 to 44.

 

[PayrollNerd]

I'm wondering if the girlfriend knew which route he normally took from his place to hers. Or, if that particular day, was there a change to a normal route due to traffic, errands, etc.

 

[GatorFL]

I'm wondering if the girlfriend knew which route he normally took from his place to hers. Or, if that particular day, was there a change to a normal route due to traffic, errands, etc.

Where does the girlfriend live?