Indiantown, FL - John Henry Mallouk, 78, reported missing January 2023, last heard from August 2022, house burned down January 2025

[kuromiiiilove]

https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article298501678.html

John Mallouk was 78 at the time of his disappearance. He would be 80 now.

John was reported missing in January 2023 by a concerned relative. He had not been heard from since August 2022.

Detectives found no evidence of foul play in his home in 2023.

Now, his Indiantown home was destroyed in a fire.

Coincidence or disposing of evidence? This is happening fairly locally to me. Unfortunately I think this will be a case of getting justice for John rather than finding him alive. MOO.

 

[kuromiiiilove]

Missing Person / NamUs #MP99405

View NamUs missing person case MP99405 for John Mallouk missing from Okeechobee, Florida. Date of last contact: Aug 18, 2022. NCMEC case number: --.

namus.nij.ojp.gov

John Henry Mallouk – The Charley Project

It seems to me that his case did not receive ANY publicity until now; however, google could be optimizing search results and hiding old articles from me.

 

[kuromiiiilove]

Fire at missing Florida man’s home reignites search for clues in 2022 disappearance: MCSO

Detectives in Florida are revisiting the home of a man who had not been seen since 2022 after his house went up in flames last week.

www.fox13news.com

‘Detectives said when they initially searched Mallouk’s Okeechobee home, they found no signs of struggle or foul play. The premises appeared untouched, with doors left unlocked, food still in the refrigerator, and a cell phone abandoned on the counter, according to MCSO.’

I tried to use ChatGPT to find earlier articles about JHM’s disappearance with no luck. I am very confused why the local police wouldn’t have publicized his disappearance more. A 78yo man would likely not be ok to just up and walk away from his life. And isn’t it weird that it appears his house hasn’t been occupied or sold in the past couple years?

Right now there are a couple possibilities
1) JHM left to go for a walk/grab cigarettes/groceries and intended to return. The house fire is a coincidence.
2) JHM left to end his life on his terms. The house fire is a coincidence.
3) JHM met nefarious ends in August ‘22.
A) the fire was a coincidence.
B) the fire is from squatters/vandals and was intentionally or incidentally set, but unrelated to his disappearance.
C) the fire was intentionally set to destroy evidence.

 

[GraceG]

Fire at missing Florida man’s home reignites search for clues in 2022 disappearance: MCSO

Detectives in Florida are revisiting the home of a man who had not been seen since 2022 after his house went up in flames last week.

www.fox13news.com

‘Detectives said when they initially searched Mallouk’s Okeechobee home, they found no signs of struggle or foul play. The premises appeared untouched, with doors left unlocked, food still in the refrigerator, and a cell phone abandoned on the counter, according to MCSO.’

I tried to use ChatGPT to find earlier articles about JHM’s disappearance with no luck. I am very confused why the local police wouldn’t have publicized his disappearance more. A 78yo man would likely not be ok to just up and walk away from his life. And isn’t it weird that it appears his house hasn’t been occupied or sold in the past couple years?

Right now there are a couple possibilities
1) JHM left to go for a walk/grab cigarettes/groceries and intended to return. The house fire is a coincidence.
2) JHM left to end his life on his terms. The house fire is a coincidence.
3) JHM met nefarious ends in August ‘22.
A) the fire was a coincidence.
B) the fire is from squatters/vandals and was intentionally or incidentally set, but unrelated to his disappearance.
C) the fire was intentionally set to destroy evidence.

You raise some good points on the possibilities. He may have had either diagnosed, or undiagnosed dementia or other cognitive issues, and wandered off. The fire, this late, has to be a concidence. If it was going to destroy evidence it would have happened a LONG time ago, and given the length of time the home has been vacant, likely squatters, addicts using the home for shelter or to use drugs (with resultant high risk of accidental fire from a unapproved heat source).

 

[kuromiiiilove]

This case reminds me a lot of David Brown from Hernando County Fl. He was 69 and was on a walk with his brother. He had cancer and was looking for a ‘special tree’ to pray at. His brother said he went back to the house to get equipment to clear a trail, and when he came back, David was gone.

There is a thread for David on Websleuths: FL - FL - David Brown, 69, was walking his dog in the woods, the dog came home w/o him, seen w/o shoes on video, Brooksville, 13 Aug 2024

Both cases, in my opinion, have been woefully under-investigated by their respective police departments.

 

[kuromiiiilove]

You raise some good points on the possibilities. He may have had either diagnosed, or undiagnosed dementia or other cognitive issues, and wandered off. The fire, this late, has to be a concidence. If it was going to destroy evidence it would have happened a LONG time ago, and given the length of time the home has been vacant, likely squatters, addicts using the home for shelter or to use drugs (with resultant high risk of accidental fire from a unapproved heat source).

Especially since we had a cold snap in Florida in the past couple weeks. I think incidental fire is likely. I’m happy it’s bringing attention to JHM’s case though.

 

[FansBlowing]

4. He got eaten by an alligator. His home is 2 acres on the shore of Lake Okeechobee. Large alligators everywhere.

 

[PayrollNerd]

I’m guessing squatters unintentionally burned the house down. But it could be faulty electrical since nobody lived there and it was abandoned for some time.

When I bought my home in 2018, the wiring in the kitchen ceiling was atrocious. Dangling wires left in place not connected or capped, etc. I had the electrician bring it up to code. So I can believe a random fire could have started, even if the power was off. Maybe there was a surge in the community, power outage, or something triggered a spark.

It’s interesting that no family followed up with the property.

 

[truthfinder2019]

Past article

Martin Sheriff seeks public's assistance to locate MISSING 76 year old man

Martin Sheriff seeks public's assistance to locate MISSING 76 year old man Martin County, Fl (treasurecoast.com) -The Martin Sheriff is seeking the public's assistance to locate a missing 76 year old man.

treasurecoast.com

 

[FansBlowing]

Someone/the police need to investigate whether anyone was spending his social security checks and/or pension while he was missing.

 

[truthfinder2019]

Based on the photos published of his burned house and car, the property is the following

12700 SW Conners Hwy, Okeechobee, FL 34974 | Zillow

12700 SW Conners Hwy, Okeechobee FL, is a Single Family home that contains 1092 sq ft and was built in 1983.It contains 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.This home last sold for $160,000 in August 2018. The Zestimate for this Single Family is $347,300, which has increased by $929 in the last 30...

www.zillow.com

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0jZKGeVvdQHg3spkCKvx43dNw36PtcWFMU2ZQqeVetvHddo1tbAptrpTJpUsBajcKl&id=100064550981128

 

[FansBlowing]

First suspect is whoever inherits that nice car! lol Oh I see it was burned up in the fire also. Martin County Tax Assessor's office shows that the taxes have not been paid since 2021.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Someone/the police need to investigate whether anyone was spending his social security checks and/or pension while he was missing.

And who, if anyone is paying the property taxes.

Looking at the weather history for the area in Aug 2022, there were not any hurricanes. So likely no flooding that would trigger a drowning.

 

[truthfinder2019]

John was born on 16 May 1946 and had many residences over the years

FamilySearch.org

Discover your family history. Explore the world’s largest collection of free family trees, genealogy records and resources.

www.familysearch.org

 

[kuromiiiilove]

I

Based on the photos published of his burned house and car, the property is the following

12700 SW Conners Hwy, Okeechobee, FL 34974 | Zillow

12700 SW Conners Hwy, Okeechobee FL, is a Single Family home that contains 1092 sq ft and was built in 1983.It contains 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.This home last sold for $160,000 in August 2018. The Zestimate for this Single Family is $347,300, which has increased by $929 in the last 30...

www.zillow.com

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0jZKGeVvdQHg3spkCKvx43dNw36PtcWFMU2ZQqeVetvHddo1tbAptrpTJpUsBajcKl&id=100064550981128

I wonder if they didn’t put a lien on the house because they knew he was missing? It’s odd to me. I would think the county/tax collector would have reclaimed the property by now.

What a beautiful house and property.

Edited to add - looks like insufficient time has elapsed for the property to be reclaimed. His taxes would have become delinquent April 23, and there needs to be two years elapsing before the tax collector can apply for a tax deed sale. Also, Florida law requires the property owner to be notified of a tax deed sale, which raises obvious problems.

 

[kuromiiiilove]

I’m guessing squatters unintentionally burned the house down. But it could be faulty electrical since nobody lived there and it was abandoned for some time.

When I bought my home in 2018, the wiring in the kitchen ceiling was atrocious. Dangling wires left in place not connected or capped, etc. I had the electrician bring it up to code. So I can believe a random fire could have started, even if the power was off. Maybe there was a surge in the community, power outage, or something triggered a spark.

It’s interesting that no family followed up with the property.

BBM - unfortunately doesn’t seem like he has any local family. Even the family member (unnamed) who reported him missing said they had last HEARD from him in August 22. That implies to me that they weren’t local to see him face-to-face. MOO

 

[truthfinder2019]

There is a John H Mallouk born 1946 in NY (see familysearch link)
Could it be that his family or whatever is left of it given his age, is still in or around NY state?
This is the link for this public record. if it is him, which I believe so

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XY9-9HYF

 

[kuromiiiilove]

There is a John H Mallouk born 1946 in NY (see familysearch link)
Could it be that his family or whatever is left of it given his age, is still in or around NY state?
This is the link for this public record. if it is him, which I believe so

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XY9-9HYF

Definitely could be! I know lots of folks whose family are still up north. I think you’re right that this is him.

 

[truthfinder2019]

Definitely could be! I know lots of folks whose family are still up north. I think you’re right that this is him.

Yes it’s him, I’m pretty sure.

Here a 1985 article mentioning him when he was 39. So he was already in FL at the time

Man Who Says He Loves Her Is Told to Stay Away From Chris Evert Lloyd

A Chris Evert Lloyd fan who has written the tennis star more than 200 letters was ordered to stay away from her by a judge fearful of a "John Hinckley-Jodie Foster situation."

www.latimes.com

Quoting:”Mallouk said he played tennis in college and makes a living through real estate holdings he inherited.”

 

[kuromiiiilove]

Yes it’s him, I’m pretty sure.

Here a 1985 article mentioning him when he was 39. So he was already in FL at the time

Man Who Says He Loves Her Is Told to Stay Away From Chris Evert Lloyd

A Chris Evert Lloyd fan who has written the tennis star more than 200 letters was ordered to stay away from her by a judge fearful of a "John Hinckley-Jodie Foster situation."

www.latimes.com

Quoting:”Mallouk said he played tennis in college and makes a living through real estate holdings he inherited.”

Wow, fantastic research! Thanks, truth finder!