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

[Miles21]

Jason Jolkowski (Photo provided by NamUs.gov)
March 18 2021 Jenn Baxter
Vanished Into Thin Air: The Disappearance of Jason Jolkowski
''Investigators combed through surveillance footage from cameras at both Benson High School and the neighboring middle school, but Jason never appeared on any of the footage. It was clear that he never made it as far as the school; unfortunately, there were no other surveillance cameras in the area so it’s unknown exactly how close he might have gotten to his destination before he disappeared.

Police conducted several searches of the area where Jason was last seen, combing through the residential streets, wooded areas, and parks on foot and horseback. They used a helicopter equipped with infrared radar, but found nothing.''

- I’m really curious: how do you know a helicopter with infrared was used? And do you happen to know the exact areas they searched?? I guess I have not seen that specific information is why I ask...

 

[MatthewTyler]

- I’m really curious: how do you know a helicopter with infrared was used? And do you happen to know the exact areas they searched?? I guess I have not seen that specific information is why I ask...

Missing teen's parents help other families cope - CNN.com

 

[Alleykins]

Missing teen's parents help other families cope - CNN.com

Thank you for providing the link.

 

[Miles21]

Missing teen's parents help other families cope - CNN.com

Thank you for the link.
Samuel Sherman is his real name and he is from Sioux City, Iowa.

 

[spearhead1030]

Nice post. I wish Jason's mom still went on WS so she could see all the people still affected/actively seeking answers for her son. She wrote a post once saying that when he was born he became really sick and had to stay in the hospital for awhile longer. This kid has suffered from day one. With that, then getting bullied, then having financial issues, then vanishing without a trace- his life seemed to be a lot of suffering. And then I think of the passage he read in church the Sunday before he disappeared: "We gladly suffer because we know suffering helps us endure". It does all seem kind of prophetic. I guess that's why I'm drawn to this case the most; I just believe that he deserved a better end after having a less than stellar hand drawn in life. Well, he shouldn't have had an "end" yet, but at the very least he deserves a proper conclusion if that's how it had to be.

I didn't know about the passage Jason had read, that just makes it all so much more painful.

It's just frustrating. You want to do something but you just can't do anything to help him all these years later except post on websites like these and re-examine what has been done and what hasn't. If anyone has a way I can get involved in this, I'm all ears just because of how this story and JJ's voicelessness affect me. I can't imagine what it must be like for his family, feeling stuck day in, day out. Mrs. Jolkowski is an amazing, strong woman to turn that fear and that sadness into something so powerful for people like her around the country.

I just want to help, but I can't.

 

[Alleykins]

I didn't know about the passage Jason had read, that just makes it all so much more painful.

It's just frustrating. You want to do something but you just can't do anything to help him all these years later except post on websites like these and re-examine what has been done and what hasn't. If anyone has a way I can get involved in this, I'm all ears just because of how this story and JJ's voicelessness affect me. I can't imagine what it must be like for his family, feeling stuck day in, day out. Mrs. Jolkowski is an amazing, strong woman to turn that fear and that sadness into something so powerful for people like her around the country.

I just want to help, but I can't.

For me, I look for unidentified remains who may be Jason.

Maybe it won't help Jason directly, but you could take a family DNA test and put the results on GEDMatch dot com in hopes you could be a link to identifying other sets of unidentified remains (if you haven't already).
My understanding is Jason's parents are no longer married and she's using her former last name now. And, unfortunately, the website providing resources and direction for other families with missing persons appears to be defunct. Someone mentioned it's been that way for a couple of years, no idea why, and couldn't find an official announcement of it being disbanded. I've been unable to ascertain if Project Jason is even in existence anymore, which is a shame if it isn't.

 

[JohHall1001]

I still don't think grown men get killed/abducted in the middle of the morning in suburbia, whether it by strangers or a neighbor. And with no planning in advance? No. I get that I'm in a minority here, but I still think Jason took off. I think he had a plan, sidetracked work and headed in the opposite direction. Why at that time? Who knows. Maybe to a large city where he wouldn't need his car. Maybe he died sometime within these 20 years, maybe he is living amongst the homeless population in a large city. But I can't believe that someone made a split second decision to kill him, covered it perfectly, and hasn't said a peep for 20 years.

 

[dotr]

I still don't think grown men get killed/abducted in the middle of the morning in suburbia, whether it by strangers or a neighbor. And with no planning in advance? No. I get that I'm in a minority here, but I still think Jason took off. I think he had a plan, sidetracked work and headed in the opposite direction. Why at that time? Who knows. Maybe to a large city where he wouldn't need his car. Maybe he died sometime within these 20 years, maybe he is living amongst the homeless population in a large city. But I can't believe that someone made a split second decision to kill him, covered it perfectly, and hasn't said a peep for 20 years.

It is also my hope and suspicion that Jason started walking and just kept going until...? imo, speculation.

 

[JohHall1001]

It is also my hope and suspicion that Jason started walking and just kept going until...? imo, speculation.

Well since there's just as much evidence of that as any other theory, why not?Maybe he took that $60 on him and just got on a bus. Isn't it a romanticized fantasy to go from a small town to the big city? Maybe New York or Chicago. Maybe he had help (from the church?). I know it isn't the most practical theory, but I don't think it's strange to think that he might have felt his life going nowhere at home (no money, starting a job that he might not have wanted, maybe parents pushed priesthood instead of radio DJing) so he just said "F it" and left.

 

[ekardh]

I still don't think grown men get killed/abducted in the middle of the morning in suburbia, whether it by strangers or a neighbor. And with no planning in advance? No.

Which is exactly why cases like this are so rare.

 

[JohHall1001]

Which is exactly why cases like this are so rare.

Yeah, but I still go with statistics. Adult men who disappear (and aren't runaways) are mostly troubled with drug connections, suicides, or were at high risk situations at the time of their disappearance (such as heavy drinking at a party or prostitution). Even most of Dahmer's and Gacy's victims fall into those categories. Jason doesn't fit the mold on any of those, so to me personally a runaway makes the most sense. The time of day and non-secluded surroundings just makes me doubt any foul play happened so flawlessly. Yes, this could be an anomaly, but I still go with the most likley given his demographic.

 

[JohHall1001]

I have no real answers to why he would have chosen then when he had a ride waiting for hin, but my thinking is that he already had some escape plan figured out before worked called him. Maybe he wanted to make this look like a mystery, so the work angled worked in his favor- could make it seem like something happened on his way over there. I'm not saying that Jason necessarily would be living a good life, unless he help from someone somehow. If we're going by stats again, if he is alive after leaving town, he is most likley either amongst the homeless population or is very under the radar and working off the books.

 

[Alleykins]

I still don't think grown men get killed/abducted in the middle of the morning in suburbia, whether it by strangers or a neighbor. And with no planning in advance? No. I get that I'm in a minority here, but I still think Jason took off. I think he had a plan, sidetracked work and headed in the opposite direction. Why at that time? Who knows. Maybe to a large city where he wouldn't need his car. Maybe he died sometime within these 20 years, maybe he is living amongst the homeless population in a large city. But I can't believe that someone made a split second decision to kill him, covered it perfectly, and hasn't said a peep for 20 years.

My opinion only.

Everything I've read and seen about this case tells me that it would be out of character for Jason to take off. Especially with little to no money and no personal belongings on him. In an interview, his mother said he was very, very responsible. He was also shy. Striking out on his own would force him to step outside of his comfort zone. I get people can be spontaneous and do things out of the blue, and can act contrary to what is normal behavior for them and their personality. And I think there are a few missing person cases where the MP acts impulsively and does things unlike them, but not in Jason's case, at least, not to this degree. He had a lot going for him if he stayed put, including pursuing a career he enjoyed, and a loving, supportive family. It didn't appear he was oppressed or stifled by his parents in any way and would want to leave. By all accounts, he really had no reason to start a new life.

Definitely don't think this was some sort of snatch and grab job, where a van pulled up, the doors opened, and thugs got out and dragged him inside, and then drove off.

I think this was a crime of opportunity, a combination of random chance and coincidence. I think it was committed by a casual acquaintance, someone unknown to his family and community circle, but known well enough by Jason where he felt comfortable interacting with them and didn't feel threatened by them. I believe this because his mother said that anyone and everyone, and she emphasized and was emphatic about everyone, who ever knew Jason, was interviewed and cleared. This leads me to believe it was someone his family may not have been aware of, but Jason knew. Someone who, by random chance, just happened to be driving by (or maybe pulling out of their driveway) while he was walking to the school and offered him a ride, and, pressed for time, he accepted. If there were a moment where he might act out of character and be impulsive, I believe this would be the more likely scenario than taking off. He had someone waiting for him and it would save him from a sweaty, brisk walk, a decision spurred by his sense of responsibility.

To give you an example of what I mean, when I was about 13, I was out for a walk one rainy day, and a former friend’s father just happened to be driving by. He recognized me, did a U-turn, and offered me a ride. I declined, my house was around the corner and I didn’t need one. Had he been a bad person (just to be clear, he wasn’t, he was a very nice man), and had I gotten in the car with him, never to be seen again, my family would’ve had no clue who he was, and chances are, he’d never have been interviewed. And unless there were witnesses to me getting in the car, he’d never have been found out and taken the secret to the grave with him when he died unexpectedly 2 or 3 years later. Something similar to this is what I think may have happened to Jason. Again, this is my opinion as to what happened, subject to change as things evolve.

 

[JohHall1001]

My opinion only.

Everything I've read and seen about this case tells me that it would be out of character for Jason to take off. Especially with little to no money and no personal belongings on him. In an interview, his mother said he was very, very responsible. He was also shy. Striking out on his own would force him to step outside of his comfort zone. I get people can be spontaneous and do things out of the blue, and can act contrary to what is normal behavior for them and their personality. And I think there are a few missing person cases where the MP acts impulsively and does things unlike them, but not in Jason's case, at least, not to this degree. He had a lot going for him if he stayed put, including pursuing a career he enjoyed, and a loving, supportive family. It didn't appear he was oppressed or stifled by his parents in any way and would want to leave. By all accounts, he really had no reason to start a new life.

Definitely don't think this was some sort of snatch and grab job, where a van pulled up, the doors opened, and thugs got out and dragged him inside, and then drove off.

I think this was a crime of opportunity, a combination of random chance and coincidence. I think it was committed by a casual acquaintance, someone unknown to his family and community circle, but known well enough by Jason where he felt comfortable interacting with them and didn't feel threatened by them. I believe this because his mother said that anyone and everyone, and she emphasized and was emphatic about everyone, who ever knew Jason, was interviewed and cleared. This leads me to believe it was someone his family may not have been aware of, but Jason knew. Someone who, by random chance, just happened to be driving by (or maybe pulling out of their driveway) while he was walking to the school and offered him a ride, and, pressed for time, he accepted. If there were a moment where he might act out of character and be impulsive, I believe this would be the more likely scenario than taking off. He had someone waiting for him and it would save him from a sweaty, brisk walk, a decision spurred by his sense of responsibility.

To give you an example of what I mean, when I was about 13, I was out for a walk one rainy day, and a former friend’s father just happened to be driving by. He recognized me, did a U-turn, and offered me a ride. I declined, my house was around the corner and I didn’t need one. Had he been a bad person (just to be clear, he wasn’t, he was a very nice man), and had I gotten in the car with him, never to be seen again, my family would’ve had no clue who he was, and chances are, he’d never have been interviewed. And unless there were witnesses to me getting in the car, he’d never have been found out and taken the secret to the grave with him when he died unexpectedly 2 or 3 years later. Something similar to this is what I think may have happened to Jason. Again, this is my opinion as to what happened, subject to change as things evolve.

I do get what you're saying, but I just personally believe that we don't really know if he felt "he had a lot going for him" if he stayed. We don't know to what extent he wanted this job, or how close he was with his family (all families will say they were tight knit to the public). If he did have some sort of help, then maybe he wouldn't need many personal items. His car could be tracked, so what good would that be? An acquaintance known to Jason, like I said, would be taking a HUGE risk at that time. And as the question has been brought up before...why then? It was obvious he had somewhere to be and his absence would be soon noticed. I can't believe that there wasn't one kid playing outside, or a person walking their dog that would deter a perp from luring him in at the risk of being caught/later identified. If, however, Jason was willingly leaving on his own accord, nobody would give a second look because to them he would just be walking on his way to God knows where.Regarding the story you told about your friends dad, that sort of scenario could definitely happen...but again, a 13 year old girl is a bit different than an almost 20 year old man. I don't know, until anything ever gets discovered like a personal possession of his, then I'll always feel he ducked out of Omaha that day.

 

[ekardh]

Yeah, but I still go with statistics. Adult men who disappear (and aren't runaways) are mostly troubled with drug connections, suicides, or were at high risk situations at the time of their disappearance (such as heavy drinking at a party or prostitution). Even most of Dahmer's and Gacy's victims fall into those categories. Jason doesn't fit the mold on any of those, so to me personally a runaway makes the most sense. The time of day and non-secluded surroundings just makes me doubt any foul play happened so flawlessly. Yes, this could be an anomaly, but I still go with the most likley given his demographic.

I don't know dude, I could rattle off a few cases with missing young men who don't fall into those categories.

Look at Zebb Quinn. By all reports, he was a good kid like Jason, wasn't involved in drugs or criminality. Still got murdered. Fortunately, the suspect was identified early on.

I know what you're saying, Jason was a low-risk victim, and it's strange that he disappeared in broad daylight of suburbia, but that doesn't mean that foul play didn't occur. I'd like to think if Jason was running away, he would've prepared a little better than having no car, no belongings, and wearing his Fazoli's uniform. It seems quite a poorly planned, inopportune moment to start a new life. And there's been no credible sightings of him at all in the 20 years he's been gone? Sorry, I think this particularly line of enquiry is a non-starter.

 

[JohHall1001]

I don't know dude, I could rattle off a few cases with missing young men who don't fall into those categories.

Look at Zebb Quinn. By all reports, he was a good kid like Jason, wasn't involved in drugs or criminality. Still got murdered. Fortunately, the suspect was identified early on.

I know what you're saying, Jason was a low-risk victim, and it's strange that he disappeared in broad daylight of suburbia, but that doesn't mean that foul play didn't occur. I'd like to think if Jason was running away, he would've prepared a little better than having no car, no belongings, and wearing his Fazoli's uniform. It seems quite a poorly planned, inopportune moment to start a new life. And there's been no credible sightings of him at all in the 20 years he's been gone? Sorry, I think this particularly line of enquiry is a non-starter.

Zebb Quinn had a crappy friend and put his faith in the wrong people. I don't know, just how I feel about Jason's case. I'm not really trying to convince people to believe this theory, just putting in my two cents. He wasn't wearing his Fazoli's shirt at the time so I think he ditched it. Once he got to a larger city, I could believe that there was no credible sighting of him. Brown hair, brown eyes, thin build and 6'1... that sounds like every 5th person in NYC. He doesn't have any distinguishing characteristics. But again, everyone has their own ideas and unfortunately none of them could be proven or disproven.

 

[Alleykins]

I do get what you're saying, but I just personally believe that we don't really know if he felt "he had a lot going for him" if he stayed. We don't know to what extent he wanted this job, or how close he was with his family (all families will say they were tight knit to the public). If he did have some sort of help, then maybe he wouldn't need many personal items. His car could be tracked, so what good would that be? An acquaintance known to Jason, like I said, would be taking a HUGE risk at that time. And as the question has been brought up before...why then? It was obvious he had somewhere to be and his absence would be soon noticed. I can't believe that there wasn't one kid playing outside, or a person walking their dog that would deter a perp from luring him in at the risk of being caught/later identified. If, however, Jason was willingly leaving on his own accord, nobody would give a second look because to them he would just be walking on his way to God knows where.Regarding the story you told about your friends dad, that sort of scenario could definitely happen...but again, a 13 year old girl is a bit different than an almost 20 year old man. I don't know, until anything ever gets discovered like a personal possession of his, then I'll always feel he ducked out of Omaha that day.

Well, the "why then" question I believe I answered when I said my theory was a crime of opportunity, a combination of random chance and coincidence. It would have been sheer happenstance. The question of "why then" as it applies to your theory is anyone's guess, it could be he'd had enough of whatever and decided halfway to the school he couldn't take it anymore and walked away.

I get what you're saying about families painting a better picture of themselves in the public eye.
And you're right, we don't know what Jason was thinking when he walked out the door, or if he believed he had a lot going for him. It's easy for us to say he did, being on the outside looking in, and having only secondhand accounts of his well-being. But I truly believe one need only look at how his brother turned out in order to have an idea what their family life may have been like.

And also, I want to make it very clear that I'm not talking about Jason being lured or grabbed. I'm talking about someone he knows, even casually, pulling up, offering him a ride, and he getting in, taking all of 10 seconds, nothing that would cause anyone looking on any suspicion or alarm. In this case, people could have seen him but thought nothing of it, because it was unremarkable. I'm not talking about something that would have made a scene, been noisy, or notable. Just a guy catching a ride.

 

[retrometro]

Yeah, I personally don’t think the idea of a voluntary disappearance is very likely. Without a birth certificate and social security card, it would be nearly impossible to secure any sort of long-term employment, and he doesn’t seem like the sort of person who would have had the social connections or knowledge needed to obtain fake documents.

I agree with @Alleykins. This was likely a crime of opportunity/coincidence committed by someone he knew or recognized, but who was at the same time peripheral enough to Jason and his family that they never were on LE’s radar.

 

[ekardh]

I think we have two scenarios:

• Jason was genuinely lousy at directions and on route to the school he was intercepted by someone he knew (neighbour, friend, acquaintance) who took advantage of him.
• Jason arranged the rendezvous at the school in order to make a quick detour, and the person he met was behind his disappearance.

I'm veering towards the latter, to be honest.

 

[MatthewTyler]

. Once he got to a larger city, I could believe that there was no credible sighting of him. Brown hair, brown eyes, thin build and 6'1... that sounds like every 5th person in NYC. .

While I don't think this is what happened to Jason, this is a fair point. If you shave off 3 inches, those stats would match me lol. Because of his average look, the lack of sightings wouldn't be THAT strange to me IF Jason were alive and far from Omaha. But I lean towards Ekardh's way of thinking. Whatever this pit stop was would have to be extremely quick and right on the way if he was still planning on catching his 11:00 ride.