IL IL - John Katsilieris, 17, Oak Park, 15 Aug 1985

[Pennysmom1]

John Katsilieris

oag.ca.gov

<<John was last seen on August 16, 1985, in Santa Ana.>>

 

[beavt]

Hi everyone-

This is my first post here, and I just wanted to check if anyone has seen these?

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2009/04/investigators-still-trying-to.html

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/mpch/UnidentifiedDetails.asp?id=U8710001

Both pages are about a "John Smith" that was found dead in 1986 at a motel in Dallas, TX. The person that was found matches a lot of John P. Katsilieris' description and I thought the forensic sketch even looked like him.

Here's his missing in California page with pics: http://missingincalifornia.com/johnkatsilieris1985.html

Came across this case the other day on the center for missing and exploited children website, and noticed he(John K.) left his house and took five guitars with him. Sounds like he was going to try to go to California to start up a career in the music business. It has been said on some sites that he was seen in Orange County, CA a day or so after he left Illinois...but by who?

Seems like a lot of details are missing. Has anyone else been following this one, or know anything else?

Yeah, I don’t feel he ever left Illinois.

 

[Caring1]

 

[DD Byrd]

Leaving home with 5 guitars and going to CA could be two different things. Especially if it was only 'believed" he went. Believed by family, friends, whoever reported him missing? I agree with an earlier post that he may have been selling some of the guitars...maybe that transaction turned deadly. Also, was he an accomplished guitarist? 5 wouldn't be a lot if he were, or were a collector at a young age. But It might be a lot for a kid with just a passing interest or hobby-ish garage band.

 

[annoulzz]

To be honest, I find it a bit strange that his parents would allow him to travel by himself I am assuming to go to California. Lugging 5 guitars around is super heavy and taxing on the body especially for a teenager, he must have had help or could have hitchhiked with his belongings to get to CA. Did his brother ever provide any insight?