NE NE - Jason Jolkowski, 19, Omaha, 13 Jun 2001 - #3

[CountSnap]

Where in the world is this dude?
What happened to him?
I cry "uncle" to the universe on this one.... Darndest, most baffling case there is.

Ok... got that out.
The search continues
All the best everyone.

 

[MatthewTyler]

I cry "uncle" to the universe on this one.... Darndest, most baffling case there is.

.

Never.

Just gotta hope for one major break in the case for the ball to get rolling again. IMO, that break is finding out why Jason wanted to meet at the school. Still don't buy the 'bad at directions' story.

 

[CountSnap]

Never.

Just gotta hope for one major break in the case for the ball to get rolling again. IMO, that break is finding out why Jason wanted to meet at the school. Still don't buy the 'bad at directions' story.

Yessssssir!
Goonies never say die
We're in it to win it.

True about the directions.
It's basically BHS plus 2 turns.
That isn't too bad.

Thinking one of 2 places.
One we know he spent time at.
The other is a mystery.

 

[kmiller2665]

I've been reading this thread and thought I may add my opinion as an Omahan for some of the ideas I've read, particularly the thought that Jason may have been planning to meet someone before being picked up, possibly at Holy Name. What time was Jason supposed to meet his coworker? We know he was last spotted at 10:45 helping his brother with garbage cans and his coworker called between 11:15-11:30 asking why he didn't show. From his house, it's probably about a 10-15min walk to Benson High. 15mins tops but probably closer to 10mins. That leads me to believe he may have arranged to be picked up at 11am. Though I'm not sure. Given the limited time, I do not believe he had any plans to go anywhere else or take a detour. Also, from where his house is, it doesn't really make sense to walk by Holy Name if you are going to Benson High School. I know they are near each other, but it doesn't make sense to walk that way, especially if you need to meet your ride in a short amount of time. You would probably just walk up Bedford and turn onto 52nd. It leads straight to the parking lot. Even going the other route would probably add on an extra 10mins, especially if you were going to meet someone else, just because you would be walking more east for a couple blocks, so you would need to back track a little bit. Again, given that he was last seen leaving his house at 10:45, and his coworker called between 11:15-11:30, I just don't see a lot of time for anything else. I feel like he would have left earlier if he had another plan. Also if I'm the coworker and don't see him, I would give him a few extra minutes before I call. Do we know if the coworker called from a cell phone, or Fazolis? I'm only asking because cell phones weren't a standard thing back then and I don't know if she called from the car in the parking lot, or all the way from Fazolis on 72nd and Cass. If the latter is the case (which is probably more likely), the time is even more narrow from when they were supposed to meet, because that's probably another 7-10min drive to work from Benson. The window is just a little too narrow. I think that something happened on his way straight to Benson, and he probably left his house towards Bedford to 52nd.

 

[MatthewTyler]

Do we know if the coworker called from a cell phone, or Fazolis? I'm only asking because cell phones weren't a standard thing back then and I don't know if she called from the car in the parking lot, or all the way from Fazolis on 72nd and Cass. If the latter is the case (which is probably more likely), the time is even more narrow from when they were supposed to meet, because that's probably another 7-10min drive to work from Benson. The window is just a little too narrow. I think that something happened on his way straight to Benson, and he probably left his house towards Bedford to 52nd.

She called from a gas station that is by the corner of Benson HS just past NW Radial Highway. It's still there today. She called Fazoli's I believe, and then from there the manager at the restuarant called Jason's home. Don't think the girl ever actually tried calling Jason directly. According to his mom, that would have been the route he took, since she did mention that his path to the school brings him over by the middle school. And like you said, it does make the most logical sense timewise to just take Bedford.
The pitstop theory could just be wishful thinking, but it would at least add some kind of sense to this all. Otherwise it's just the most horrendous and unfortunate coincidence of all time that he managed to help arrange his own demise.

 

[ekardh]

Judging from Google maps, taking a detour to the church would add on 10+ minutes to Jason's journey, compared if he turned right onto Bedford Ave. Bear in mind, it might only have been a quick stop to notify the person he had other plans. Perhaps, in turn, that person offered to drive Jason to the school, and that's where things went awry?

 

[CountSnap]

Judging from Google maps, taking a detour to the church would add on 10+ minutes to Jason's journey, compared if he turned right onto Bedford Ave. Bear in mind, it might only have been a quick stop to notify the person he had other plans. Perhaps, in turn, that person offered to drive Jason to the school, and that's where things went awry?

Very possible... That is a very possible thought.
Or... was JJ persuaded not to go in at all and hang around...
Was pretty much his last day is that right? Didn't have much more time left at Fazoli's did he?

 

[MatthewTyler]

Very possible... That is a very possible thought.
Or... was JJ persuaded not to go in at all and hang around...
Was pretty much his last day is that right? Didn't have much more time left at Fazoli's did he?

Could never find anything that definitely confirmed that he was actually leaving his Fazoli's job. Assuming that this new job of his was going to be M-F, 9-5 for the Summer, he could have still worked weekends at Fazoli's. But I'm thinking back to the article I posted months ago when the co-worker picking him up mentioned that when he arranged to meet at Benson she said to him "Okay, you better be there". Not sure if this was just a playful jab that turned into a bad coincidence, or if she thought Jason would bail if he was leaving the job soon, or if he had a history of being flaky (though his parents say he was responsible) .

 

[kmiller2665]

Calling from that gas station makes sense. It's very close. I still would like to know what time they had planned to meet because that may fill some holes too.

I think he probably just wanted to meet at the school to make it easier for his ride. Especially pre cell phone/gps days. Sometimes I suck at giving directions too. Especially around that area of town, midtown and Benson, there's lots of avenues, 5 way stops, etc. It may have just been easier to say "I'll meet you at Benson High." He had originally planned to walk to work so I don't think that walking would have been an issue for him. Especially if he was just trying to make it easier.

I used to have soccer practice at that park close to his house on Bedford, Lake James park. I even broke my wrist at that park the very year he went missing! The playground was usually busy (at least back then, can't really say now since I don't really drive by there anymore), and I bet during the summer it was busy too. Granted, the playground itself is closer to Wirt St than Bedford, so I'm really not sure if someone would have noticed him from there. Keep in mind my recollection of the park is also from like 20yrs ago. I'm sure it's been renovated since then, even just slightly.

My point being: I just keep thinking that if the police hadnt waited so many days before they started investigating, this case would have a different outcome. Someone im sure would have remembered seeing him if they were asked the next day. But recalling that info after 9 days (I believe 9 days, correct me if I'm wrong)... It just seems far more unlikely. I think that's a large reason no one else saw him, they may have just not remembered, especially if he was just walking by.

Someone also mentioned the lagoon at Fontanelle Park earlier in the thread. That lagoon was just under renovations maybe during 2019, so the whole thing was drained, dug up, and redone. I drive by that specific park everyday to work. Granted, I've been working from home for almost a year now, because of coronavirus, and the last year and even 2019 just kind of run together for me! But 2019 sounds right.

 

[CountSnap]

Could never find anything that definitely confirmed that he was actually leaving his Fazoli's job. Assuming that this new job of his was going to be M-F, 9-5 for the Summer, he could have still worked weekends at Fazoli's. But I'm thinking back to the article I posted months ago when the co-worker picking him up mentioned that when he arranged to meet at Benson she said to him "Okay, you better be there". Not sure if this was just a playful jab that turned into a bad coincidence, or if she thought Jason would bail if he was leaving the job soon, or if he had a history of being flaky (though his parents say he was responsible) .

Yes! Now, that is what I'm talking about.
That "you better be there" sticks with me.
I wonder if she picked up something in his voice.... sometimes it's that instinct that kicks in and you pick up on something.
Maybe it was even a bit more obvious.
I'd love to know for sure why she said that to him

I guess I had just assumed he was leaving that job at Fazoli's. Though I thought I saw that somewhere. University. New job. That's a lot to keep the Fazoli's as well. Though possible of course.

 

[kmiller2665]

Judging from Google maps, taking a detour to the church would add on 10+ minutes to Jason's journey, compared if he turned right onto Bedford Ave. Bear in mind, it might only have been a quick stop to notify the person he had other plans. Perhaps, in turn, that person offered to drive Jason to the school, and that's where things went awry?

I think he very well could have encountered someone on his walk that he knew. I keep thinking of Arial Castro and Gina DeJesus. They were acquaintances. I don't really think Jason planned to walk somewhere else. Does anyone know if he had plans before being called into work? I'm sure police during their investigation would have checked phone call records, and to me it makes sense that if he had plans to meet someone, there would be a phone call at some point.

I think it's very likely some acquaintance may have seen him and offered him a ride and things went awry from there.

He attended Benson High, and there are a lot of people from that neighborhood that go there too. He also had some connections to Holy Name, and there are a lot of people from Holy Name that live in that area. I used to attend Holy Name school and my dad was a member of the Men's Club there for years. Lots of the church members live right around there.

To me, seems very plausible he encountered someone he knew, even if just an acquaintance.

 

[ekardh]

To me, seems very plausible he encountered someone he knew, even if just an acquaintance.

I think it would have to be a scenario like that. I don't think it's plausible that Jason randomly disappeared en route to the school. He was a low-risk victim and there was little room for an accident.

 

[MatthewTyler]

It was in all likelihood that scenario. It's just crazy to me that the smallest little change lead to him being in harm's way. Had he been picked up at his house, he could still be alive to this day. Guess that could be said about any abduction/murder but this one in particular is just so strange. The universe really conspired against this poor kid- car in shop, extra shift, meet at the school . And then after the fact that the cops waited 10 days. This was the luckiest perp that picked out the unluckiest victim.

 

[CountSnap]

I have to wonder if he even made it much further than his house.
Though, if someone or something happened too close to his home his brother may have noticed.
Unless his brother was inside quickly.

This could have been very close to his house. I guess there are four segments.
That corner area where his house was.
48th Street.
Lake James Park
and
Bedford Avenue.

What would be most likely?

With Lake James park, he likely didn't get too close to it? He would have turned right onto Bedford and been on the opposite side of the street. (More than likely, anyway)

48th Street... Same basic probability as Bedford Avenue. A simple street with people who may or may not have known him too well, and roughly the same amount of traffic.

As for the corner where he lived. That is closest to him. The people who would likely have known him most and seen him around most, and likely a reason to say something to him at all.

 

[kmiller2665]

Yeah... Everything had to align in order for this to happen. It's really sad. I hope it's solved at some point.

And really, the local media has pretty much forgotten it at this point. Usually on the anniversary of his disappearance they do a quick story on their website, essentially just "still missing." I haven't seen any in depth stories since the early to mid 2000s. I wish the Omaha World Herald would do something in depth, just to bring more attention and a fresh look. Someone knows something.

 

[kmiller2665]

I have to wonder if he even made it much further than his house.
Though, if someone or something happened too close to his home his brother may have noticed.
Unless his brother was inside quickly.

This could have been very close to his house. I guess there are four segments.
That corner area where his house was.
48th Street.
Lake James Park
and
Bedford Avenue.

What would be most likely?

With Lake James park, he likely didn't get too close to it? He would have turned right onto Bedford and been on the opposite side of the street. (More than likely, anyway)

48th Street... Same basic probability as Bedford Avenue. A simple street with people who may or may not have known him too well, and roughly the same amount of traffic.

As for the corner where he lived. That is closest to him. The people who would likely have known him most and seen him around most, and likely a reason to say something to him at all.

Good points. I'm not sure he made it very far either. We know a neighbor saw him helping the brother with garbage cans. I don't think I've seen anything in which he even said he saw Jason leave. So, that may have just been a quick glance in that direction. Heck, he may have even been inside-do we know if the neighbor was outside or inside his house? But if the neighbor was outside, I would think he may have noticed if he saw Jason get into a car with someone, even if it was further down the street. I too wonder if the brother saw him walking away or if he went back inside right after.

And yes, I would think he would have been on the opposite side of Bedford street from the park, assuming he made it that far.

 

[CountSnap]

We also know that he wasn't spotted on the school cameras.
Does that include both the middle school and high school cameras?
That closes that gap on some of the length.
All of this is for naught, though, if someone was driving by and took him in. Which... I still doubt somewhat.
This is a very, very short walk.
Wonder if the Police reviewed the school footage and tried to track any vehicles that went by around that time...
Maybe he gets picked up and they start toward the school, then JJ or the drive says heck with it....

 

[CountSnap]

I did find in a previous message that JJ had given notice at Fazoli's.
So, looks like from what we may know, that he was leaving Fazoli's.
That helps.... in regard to the "you better be there" comment.

 

[kmiller2665]

I know the middle school cameras were checked for sure, but not sure about high school. I would assume the high school cameras were checked too, but don't know for sure.

I'm not even sure if the cameras back then were good enough to check cars that drove by. Don't think license plate readers were a thing. Cameras back then were probably grainier. Plus a lot less places/homes had cameras compared to now, so doing any sort of vehicle tracking would be difficult, if not impossible.

Edit: also that the cops waited 9 days...I would think any other camera footage from the area may have been scrubbed of it existed at that point.

I live behind another high school in Omaha and I've had to call once to see if they had camera footage for an incident that happened. When my uncle lived here in the same house, the house was broken into, and the high school had deleted any relevant footage by the time he had the idea to call 2wks later.

 

[ekardh]

I know it's dreadfully pessimistic but I have a nasty feeling this one will never be solved. After almost 20 years, there hasn't been a single lead or piece of evidence to go on. Project Jason is now defunct and the case has gone cold. With respect to everyone (myself included) we're clutching at straws due to the lack of evidence. Not that I think we should ever give up. Quite the contrary, I keep coming back to Jason's chance on the off-chance there's a breakthrough. But I guess I'm coming to terms with the fact an answer looks unlikely. If it was foul play, whoever did it has obviously been able to cover their tracks. It would take a confession or Jason's remains being found on someone's property to blow it right open, but after all this time, what are the odds of that?