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

[CountSnap]

Just from the way I've seen some unfortunate souls go through the ideations of self harm, it is one of the stranger elements of the mind. It seems to be kind of like a cocked gun in a way, just waiting for someone to pull the trigger, or release the tension. It's a, press on, everything is normal, nothing to see here unless I tell you or you know what to look for kind of thing.
There is a missing man named David Mekvold, who left his lunch in the trash at the insurance company he worked at and vanished. A very likely suicide unfortunately.
His wife posts about him and her life. Says now she is starting to really realize some of the signs. So, it is a sad, area of the mind we know so little about. Some people talk and show signs, while some "you never see it coming."
Incredibly hard to say. But, if I understand it correctly, JJ was already on the schedule for that day, but was called in early. Could that have been "the last straw?"

 

[Gilderoy Lockhart]

I was shy and introverted (shyness and introversion are not the same) as a teen-ager/young adult, just like Jason was. I didn't have many friends either and dat. American culture is very open and expressive, so extroverted people tend to thrive in social situations, particularly in school/work, not people who are reserved. I much preferred (and still do) one-on-one interaction; larger groups can be emotionally draining. I just listen much more when I'm around a lot of people. His friend at the radio station who has posted on Reddit about her friendship with Jason spoke very highly of him. Not surprised at all. It was likely in a far different in setting than say in the high school scene. Jason loved being a DJ and there were probably a lot fewer people involved with the radio station. Much easier to get to know someone with his disposition in that environment.

I don't believe for a minute that Jason harmed himself. It's telling that a few people who likely didn't know his parents spoke of him in similar terms i.e. his folks did not portray their son in an inaccurate light. They too said he was a genuinely kind person, not involved in shady stuff, eager to help others, etc.

 

[MatthewTyler]

There was an article online that said Jason had told his little brother before he left to have their parents pick him up at Fazoli's after his shift, so it seems like he was definitely planning on being there. Unless this is another Christopher Kerze scenario, where he wanted to make a probable suicide look like some kind of accident or purposely make it a mystery (not proven in Kerze's case, just my speculation). But it doesn't seem likely with Jason. Kerze had the advantage of being able to get far away with a car, but Jason did not.

 

[Andreee]

There was an article online that said Jason had told his little brother before he left to have their parents pick him up at Fazoli's after his shift, so it seems like he was definitely planning on being there. Unless this is another Christopher Kerze scenario, where he wanted to make a probable suicide look like some kind of accident or purposely make it a mystery (not proven in Kerze's case, just my speculation). But it doesn't seem likely with Jason. Kerze had the advantage of being able to get far away with a car, but Jason did not.

I agree one hundred percent.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I agree, and I also think IMO that it is one of the SO neighbours who lives in a house on the way to the school. I read that they have all been investigated, but unfortunately it was ten days after Jason went missing so that gave extra time for the perp to cover his crime. I just do not see any other explanation at this point that fits with all of the information given over the years.

And let's not forget that there are offenders who aren't registered (generally speaking. I don't know about JJ's neighborhood at the time.)
And recently someone posted here saying they lived in the neighborhood when JJ disappeared and that LE never came knocking to ask if they saw/ knew anything, LE has never talked to them.
Maybe LE never even talked to the perpetrator and he could have lived right there.
All IMO only.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I live in town and have been thinking about walking along the path from Jason's house to the school when I have some spare time in the next few weeks. I suppose I could record it, but I'm not sure how good the video would be. You might just get a really good view of the sidewalk.

I feel even photos of the journey would be interesting.
If you walk it with a camera, please be careful. Maybe walk with someone for safety. (I realize I sound paranoid.)
I'be seen a few threads here where people posted photos they've taken. You have to state in your post that you personally took the photos, maybe ask a mod before posting.

 

[Andreee]

And let's not forget that there are offenders who aren't registered (generally speaking. I don't know about JJ's neighborhood at the time.)
And recently someone posted here saying they lived in the neighborhood when JJ disappeared and that LE never came knocking to ask if they saw/ knew anything, LE has never talked to them.
Maybe LE never even talked to the perpetrator and he could have lived right there.
All IMO only.

I agree, not all criminals are 'known' to police! I do recall that the good concerned neighbour right behind JJ's home said on a forum that he, for one, wasn't talked to as to whether or not they saw anything, if I have that right.

 

[Alleykins]

There was an article online that said Jason had told his little brother before he left to have their parents pick him up at Fazoli's after his shift, so it seems like he was definitely planning on being there. Unless this is another Christopher Kerze scenario, where he wanted to make a probable suicide look like some kind of accident or purposely make it a mystery (not proven in Kerze's case, just my speculation). But it doesn't seem likely with Jason. Kerze had the advantage of being able to get far away with a car, but Jason did not.

Did they ever say what time Jason was getting off work? I know the brother had a baseball game that evening they all attended.

 

[BethAnn777]

Why take the shift at Fazoli's if he was planning anything like that? I know we could argue he wasn't thinking straight etc. but it doesn't really add up to me, particularly when there's no clue he was suicidal or depressed. Also, his body has never been found, and there were no sightings of him.

Within that short timeframe, he must have got taken by someone.

If he did self harm it didn’t need to be planned. He could have decided on his walk to the school.

I understand it’s very unlikely, but it seems every other option is unlikely as well. Such a mystery.

 

[morland_cath]

I feel even photos of the journey would be interesting.
If you walk it with a camera, please be careful. Maybe walk with someone for safety. (I realize I sound paranoid.)
I'be seen a few threads here where people posted photos they've taken. You have to state in your post that you personally took the photos, maybe ask a mod before posting.

Good point. I can probably convince my husband to walk it with me

What does everyone think is the most likely route Jason would have gone that day to get to the school? Seems there are a few contenders - has his mother ever stated the one he normally took?

I also wonder if it is worthwhile/possible to get our hands on Jason's police report - or if it would just tell us info we already know. Seems we can request them? Omaha Police Department - Request a Copy of a Police Report

I think someone on here did this for Samuel Sherman, if my memory serves.

 

[MatthewTyler]

Good point. I can probably convince my husband to walk it with me

What does everyone think is the most likely route Jason would have gone that day to get to the school? Seems there are a few contenders - has his mother ever stated the one he normally took?

I also wonder if it is worthwhile/possible to get our hands on Jason's police report - or if it would just tell us info we already know. Seems we can request them? Omaha Police Department - Request a Copy of a Police Report

I think someone on here did this for Samuel Sherman, if my memory serves.

Yup, I requested the Sherman files and was told no because it was an active investigation. Well lo and behold, it was not actually active, and I ended up "solving" it anyway. The officer there was a nice guy, but I question some of the competency there.
As for Jason's route, his mom said that he usually went past the middle school so his most likely route was down 48th st, right onto Bedford Ave and straight down (past the park) towards the middle school where he may have cut through one of those side streets where there were entrances to the back parking lots of the school.

 

[morland_cath]

Absolutely agree about the competency MatthewTyler. The department's 10 day delay before investigating the disappearance just boggles the mind. I also heard from Kelly on a podcast that the police pretty much refused to consider the SO angle until she pushed them to investigate that.

Sadly make me wonder whether this case could have been solved 20 years ago if different detectives were in charge...

 

[Andreee]

Absolutely agree about the competency MatthewTyler. The department's 10 day delay before investigating the disappearance just boggles the mind. I also heard from Kelly on a podcast that the police pretty much refused to consider the SO angle until she pushed them to investigate that.

Sadly make me wonder whether this case could have been solved 20 years ago if different detectives were in charge...

 

[Andreee]

I did not know that the investigators were reluctant to look into the SO angle, which to me is where the answer lies IMO. A fresh set of 'cold case' detective eyes is needed for this case!

 

[studebkr]

I'm just getting caught up on all of the posts that fell during the anniversary. For those new here, I was lured into this forum because I was backyard neighbor to the Jolkowski's. I have little to offer, as I wasn't even aware of the disappearance until maybe a week after it happened. I wish I would have went to the memorial last week. It totally slipped my mind.

A few pages back there was an article about Jeremy Sheets. I had never heard about his release from Jail, on that same day. That was a terrible needless murder. Kenyatta Bush was only 17. I remember them finding her later up North of Dodge Park. Almost to where the Surfside Club is. I either forgot, or didn't know they freed him. I can't tie the two events together in any way, but I am struck by the coincidence that it would happen the same day. It is plausible that there might have been some that were looking for him. He would have been quite a bit older than Jason.

My son is staying with me this weekend, and I sat him down with the Google map and asked him how most kids walked to school. He said everyone went over to Bedford and walked up the hill to Monroe Junior High and cross the parking lot to Benson High. Most of the time he angled from Pinkney to Bedford via 48th Ave, because it shaved off a few steps, but not always. They would mix it up, but the odds are you would end up coming in from Bedford Street. After Jason went missing, I bought my son his first car as soon as he turned 16.

 

[studebkr]

I feel even photos of the journey would be interesting.
If you walk it with a camera, please be careful. Maybe walk with someone for safety. (I realize I sound paranoid.)
I'be seen a few threads here where people posted photos they've taken. You have to state in your post that you personally took the photos, maybe ask a mod before posting.

I've thought about walking it too. Or even driving it with a camera in my dash. That last stretch of Bedford is steep!

 

[Andreee]

I did not know that the investigators were reluctant to look into the SO angle, which to me is where the answer lies IMO. A fresh set of 'cold case' detective eyes is needed for this case!

I'm just getting caught up on all of the posts that fell during the anniversary. For those new here, I was lured into this forum because I was backyard neighbor to the Jolkowski's. I have little to offer, as I wasn't even aware of the disappearance until maybe a week after it happened. I wish I would have went to the memorial last week. It totally slipped my mind.

A few pages back there was an article about Jeremy Sheets. I had never heard about his release from Jail, on that same day. That was a terrible needless murder. Kenyatta Bush was only 17. I remember them finding her later up North of Dodge Park. Almost to where the Surfside Club is. I either forgot, or didn't know they freed him. I can't tie the two events together in any way, but I am struck by the coincidence that it would happen the same day. It is plausible that there might have been some that were looking for him. He would have been quite a bit older than Jason.

My son is staying with me this weekend, and I sat him down with the Google map and asked him how most kids walked to school. He said everyone went over to Bedford and walked up the hill to Monroe Junior High and cross the parking lot to Benson High. Most of the time he angled from Pinkney to Bedford via 48th Ave, because it shaved off a few steps, but not always. They would mix it up, but the odds are you would end up coming in from Bedford Street. After Jason went missing, I bought my son his first car as soon as he turned 16.

 

[Andreee]

Thanks for posting again. I recall you had said that LE didn't even drop by your place to see if you witnessed anything unusual that day. It is such a mystery that any insight from people who knew this family is interesting to hear about!

 

[morland_cath]

The dashcam idea is a very good one studebkr. Far less conspicuous! I've been reading through the old threads and appreciate your insight (and that of your son!).

Now that you've mentioned 48th ave and I'm looking more closely at the map, I realized that I interned for a woman on that street about five years ago. I would work with her out of the basement in her house. She was a bit of an odd duck and abruptly canceled our arrangement due to some weird conspiracy nonsense that I couldn't make heads or tails of at the time. It was very strange.

I have no reason to suspect her, as I don't even know if she was living there in 2001. But it does make me wonder whether a person (again, not saying her) might have had a paranoid episode or psychotic break and attacked Jason as he was walking by and was simply lucky that no one witnessed it. I dunno. I'm probably just grasping at straws at the moment.

 

[Andreee]

I came across a WS poster's link to a sex offender's site where you type in your address to see how many SO's lives in area around you. I know it is 20 yrs. since this crime, but it was still interesting to see how many SO's live in that area on a map, even near the schools which should not be allowed IMO.