NE NE - Jason Jolkowski -19 - Omaha - 13 Jun 2001 - #4

[Danaya]

I'm not usually one to believe the went to start a new life theory, but even I think that saying it's impossible is a stretch. As time goes on, I've watched as the public narrative begins to shift, in many of the cases I follow.

It's refreshing to get a new perspective, so thanks Arven.

I agree, there must be something we don't know. I remember Jason being portrayed, early on, as someone who was a bit immature and/or naive. What if he was much more mature and "worldly" than anyone realized?

 

[Andreee]

Since we were talking about possible sightings a little while ago, I wanted to bring back this comment that someone wrote on Facebook 6 years ago on a post about Jason. Supposedly he saw him that morning. If this sighting is to be believed (everything taken with a grain of salt), then that would put JJ in the opposite direction of where he was supposed to go. The JNJ grocery store is the other way down Bedford, and according this poster, "in the hood". IF he was actually seen in that area that morning, that makes me believe even more that he was making a pit stop that morning.

Yes that was certainly interesting to read about several years ago, and y I agree is a real possibility.

 

[mrsselig]

Since we were talking about possible sightings a little while ago, I wanted to bring back this comment that someone wrote on Facebook 6 years ago on a post about Jason. Supposedly he saw him that morning. If this sighting is to be believed (everything taken with a grain of salt), then that would put JJ in the opposite direction of where he was supposed to go. The JNJ grocery store is the other way down Bedford, and according this poster, "in the hood". IF he was actually seen in that area that morning, that makes me believe even more that he was making a pit stop that morning.

Thank you for bringing this back! Also, this thread is so long, I don't remember if the screenshots were posted originally - but I am SO GLAD to have them now Reading these screenshots, the sighting sounds really credible.

Echoing some other recent comments here, I too am normally of the camp of not believing "went off to start a new life" theories. However, recently, a few missing persons cases turned out to be people who did just that. There is no evidence that JJ did not leave to "start a new life". I think it's good to discuss all possible theories - because one of them - is correct.

 

[Andreee]

M

Thank you for bringing this back! Also, this thread is so long, I don't remember if the screenshots were posted originally - but I am SO GLAD to have them now Reading these screenshots, the sighting sounds really credible.

Echoing some other recent comments here, I too am normally of the camp of not believing "went off to start a new life" theories. However, recently, a few missing persons cases turned out to be people who did just that. There is no evidence that JJ did not leave to "start a new life". I think it's good to discuss all possible theories - because one of them - is correct.

I knew when I wrote Zero chance that I overstated it lol. I agree that it is possible but I believe very unlikely he ran to start a new life considering all the factors. Now that we havent discussed this case for awhile, I have a bit of a 'new' perspective that JJ did not go missing on the route to the school but rather in the gas stn. area. I do think the witness sighting is somewhat credible. Perhaps JJ needed to use the restroom or had another reason to head in that direction. At any rate, this is my latest theory.

 

[Alleykins]

M

I knew when I wrote Zero chance that I overstated it lol. I agree that it is possible but I believe very unlikely he ran to start a new life considering all the factors. Now that we havent discussed this case for awhile, I have a bit of a 'new' perspective that JJ did not go missing on the route to the school but rather in the gas stn. area. I do think the witness sighting is somewhat credible. Perhaps JJ needed to use the restroom or had another reason to head in that direction. At any rate, this is my latest theory.

If this is a credible sighting, then I wonder if he somehow got the meet up spot wrong or got turned around somehow, and then found himself in a sticky situation. Or I wonder if he got a ride and they got the location wrong and simply dropped him off at the nearest place with a pay phone.
But let's say he did take a deliberate detour to meet up with someone, just to let them know he had a change of plans, this location is so far out of his way there would be no way to make up the time. He had such a short amount of time to meet up with his coworker, it seems out of character he would make her wait that much longer to give him a ride. He had to have known it would delay his meet up, why didn't he tell her I can't meet you at 11, but I can meet you at 11:30? It just doesn't add up for me, unless the times are off. Just thinking out loud here, trying to incorporate this into what little we know.

 

[spaceeye99]

I'm sure that by this point, almost everything has been discussed but is there any verified information about what the weather was like that day? As a meteorologist, I'm always curious about how weather impacts cases like this. Quick research into the archives of weather observations on April 11, 2001 shows that it was a relatively stormy day in Kansas/Nebraska/Missouri. A local storm report archived from that morning shows 1.75 inch hail reported in Stanberry, MO, not all that far east, at around 11:15 AM.

I wonder if he could have been caught in a storm on the walk and ducked in somewhere to get out of the rain (or maybe even hail?).

 

[MatthewTyler]

Quick research into the archives of weather observations on April 11, 2001 shows that it was a relatively stormy day in Kansas/Nebraska/Missouri.

You're confusing this thread for Branson Perry, who did in fact disappear on April 11, 2001 in Missouri.

Jason disappeared June 13, 2001 in Nebraska.

 

[spaceeye99]

Yep. You're right. I had several stories open at once. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Ignorant_Bystander]

This case is really sad but fascinating. Its the first time Ive heard of a possible sighting where he's going in the opposite direction of the school. I'm wondering if for some reason he wanted to stop in at the garage where his car was being fixed, there is one on that street, as of 2022 on google maps called Young's Auto Repair, assuming its the same one he dropped his car off at. But JNJ grocery is quite a bit past that so he was likely already passed it when allegedly seen "going toward JNJ"

 

[The Zookeeper]

Arven, Thank you for your well-written thoughts. I was not aware that Jason had an online presence. I had never given much thought to the idea that maybe he left to start a new life. However, the fact that his father wanted him to become a priest gives me pause. Now I’m wondering if Jason may have left to start a new life because he didn’t want to become a priest. Maybe he couldn’t bear to disappoint his parents, so he left. If he had online “friends,” maybe one or more of them helped him. He could have assumed a different identity and possibly be living under that identity now.

 

[Cat4]

This case is really sad but fascinating. Its the first time Ive heard of a possible sighting where he's going in the opposite direction of the school. I'm wondering if for some reason he wanted to stop in at the garage where his car was being fixed, there is one on that street, as of 2022 on google maps called Young's Auto Repair, assuming its the same one he dropped his car off at. But JNJ grocery is quite a bit past that so he was likely already passed it when allegedly seen "going toward JNJ"

Interesting idea. He very well could have needed an item from his car if that was the case.

 

[CountSnap]

Since we were talking about possible sightings a little while ago, I wanted to bring back this comment that someone wrote on Facebook 6 years ago on a post about Jason. Supposedly he saw him that morning. If this sighting is to be believed (everything taken with a grain of salt), then that would put JJ in the opposite direction of where he was supposed to go. The JNJ grocery store is the other way down Bedford, and according this poster, "in the hood". IF he was actually seen in that area that morning, that makes me believe even more that he was making a pit stop that morning.

So, what would he, if it was JJ, be going that direction for?

 

[Brooklyn127]

So, what would he, if it was JJ, be going that direction for?

Exactly! This case has bothered me for a long time - as it has many of us.
I thought I had it figured out! The sighting at the gas station I felt was very credible (Cubs shirt, his height, possible personal recognition, etc.). One poster said that he would have been noticed getting into a car there. I have to disagree - people get into and out of cars all the time at gas stations. Unless they were wearing Men In Black or clowns' suits, no one would pay any attention. One more person, one less, no one would notice. But if you are wearing a Cubs shirt - possibly the only person in the state - well, then that would have been noticeable!
So, I figured he was running late. Had stopped there before going to the school, for some reason. My guess would be cigarettes, that his parents were unaware of. Then, accepted a ride from someone who was friends with (with him being unaware of this) the people who had bullied him at school. Once you get into a car, who knows when, if ever, you will be found.
This lovely theory is all shot down by the idea (with even more credible witnesses) that he then went to a grocery store - even further away. I have no guess, nothing, no clue at this point. It makes no sense.
MOO, I have no personal knowledge of this case.

 

[ekardh]

The problem is that even if that sighting was credible, it was someone recalling it many, many years after the fact. It could well be that they did see Jason, but it wasn't on the day of his disappearance. And I'm someone who subscribes to the "making a pit stop" theory.

 

[CountSnap]

Right on all.
I have wondered for some time if he dressed in the Cubs gear thinking he would head to the College World Series game.
That is something that has still stuck in my mind as a possibility.
But even if so, what after?
What after any of these sightings?
Murder/Suicide/TheRunOff
Murder still most likely?

 

[Gilderoy Lockhart Jr]

I don't buy the grocery store sighting located in the opposite direction from the HS. The witness reported the person they saw was wearing all blue; however, it's known Jason left for work wearing black dress pants. I find the other sighting much more interesting.

 

[RookieDetective]

Since the security cameras of the highschool were checked and none of them showed Jason arriving at the school, I wonder if there were any other cameras on the way from his home to school and if they were checked, maybe a security camera of a store showing the street would have helped.

 

[Brooklyn127]

Since the security cameras of the highschool were checked and none of them showed Jason arriving at the school, I wonder if there were any other cameras on the way from his home to school and if they were checked, maybe a security camera of a store showing the street would have helped.

I believe security cameras were dicey back then, in terms of availability, resolution, etc. Good that the school had them. But in other places, like the nearby gas station where there was a supposed sighting that day, if no one asked soon enough, it would have been wiped (recorded over). If even there. And working.
It is kind of like electronic cash registers. Yes, of course they existed, but not every station (or grocery store) had them yet.
And Ring cameras on the houses he passed by are obviously out of the question!

 

[Brooklyn127]

Well, I've never gotten to say this before, since I am usually late to the party!
But - Welcome to Websleuths, RookieDetective!

 

[RookieDetective]

I believe security cameras were dicey back then, in terms of availability, resolution, etc. Good that the school had them. But in other places, like the nearby gas station where there was a supposed sighting that day, if no one asked soon enough, it would have been wiped (recorded over). If even there. And working.
It is kind of like electronic cash registers. Yes, of course they existed, but not every station (or grocery store) had them yet.
And Ring cameras on the houses he passed by are obviously out of the question!

Yeah you're right, technology wasn't advanced as much back then as it is now. Even if there were security cameras, the footage probably got wiped and recorded over like you said. And the fact that the police waited for 10 days to start investigating is really disappointing, during that long time of period evidence can be easily destroyed.

I didn't know about the gas station sighting, was this ever confirmed?