SC SC - Johnny Lamar Brown, 44, Myrtle Beach, 3 Aug 2012 - #1

[maureen]

Uggggh! This is all so frustrating! I was in Myrtle Beach Labor day weekend. If I had known about this, I would have looked for him! The family's lack of involvement is soooo frustrating- they have a facebook page for donations, but, not one for finding him? The only pics are his state ID and a sideways pic of him standing next to a car, where you cant see his face? Any family photos you'd like to share? I just sent an email to Evonne, who runs the Black and Missing but not Forgotten facebook page, I didn't see him there, maybe she can help get the word out. I don't know what else to do.....Frustrating!!
:banghead:

 

[Peekerfoo]

Uggggh! This is all so frustrating! I was in Myrtle Beach Labor day weekend. If I had known about this, I would have looked for him! The family's lack of involvement is soooo frustrating- they have a facebook page for donations, but, not one for finding him? The only pics are his state ID and a sideways pic of him standing next to a car, where you cant see his face? Any family photos you'd like to share? I just sent an email to Evonne, who runs the Black and Missing but not Forgotten facebook page, I didn't see him there, maybe she can help get the word out. I don't know what else to do.....Frustrating!!
:banghead:

Thanks for "getting it", maureen. ITA with you! Thanks for sending the e-mail to Evonne, too. Another good resource!

 

[Nonni Brenda]

Hi everyone. My family has dared me to come to this comp. b4 3 days, but they are all in bed or gone now. I have skipped around and read some of your posts, and I can understand what you all are saying. I talked to Julie Tues. night told her about my surgery scheduled for Wed. and told her I would help her this am put out flyers. Little did I know I would feel so bad today, after all, the procedure was outpatient??? Lipotripsy...She was to be off work today and Fri, and said she has a lot of fliers. There are 2 truck stops near here, one 15 mi north and the other 10 mi south, approx. I haven't heard from her, and really didn't feel like calling her. My pain med. has kept me sleeping a lot of the day. I really understand the questions you are having about the family's activity searching. I honestly expected a call from her this am.??? All I know is they are very poor, can't stay in MB for very long searching, and probably don't know much else they can do. I did talk to Johnny's mom during the day on Tues. She and Rev. Brown were still at MB, but had no transportation. She told me they could stay till the weekend and would probably have to take a bus back home. I am at a loss what else to tell you. On Tues I did contact the 3 mjr tv stations in atla who said they would brocast the story again. I didn't hear them Tues night, and wasn't able to check yesterday or today. The Cartersville newspaper, who reported it in the beginning said they would run it again. I updated some info for them, about sightings, advised to stress mental disability and very severe speech impediment, probably facial hair by now, and may be in Ga trying to get back home. The Cartersville radio station did a phone interview of me and I gave them the same info. they also had broadcast it weeks ago too. I don't know what else I can do. Peekerfoo, please dont feel bad. You have done so much. You, Miss J. OLG Writer nosysw, fabgod, all you others inspired me. But we can just do so much. I'm wondering if the family hasn't given up??? I know the helpless feeling we are getting can also be the same feeling the family has. I think he has tried to get back home, maybe hitch hicking, and someone dropped him off at the end of their line. Thank you all for what you are doing. I'm gonna stay on here till about 11 o'clock, unless I get caught b4 then...I'll check back tomorrow after lunch. Love and appreciate you all. Nonni

 

[Nonni Brenda]

Somebody posted that a bus driver picked Johnny up here on W/S, I remember seeing the post but I cant find it now, I have looked but Just don't see it.

Does anyone know of this incident?
If it did happen, can we find out which bus, what direction, which day, where from etc,
This could have been Johnnys Route out of Surfside, it may give us a clue as to where to concentrate efforts.

From what I think I read, it didnt seem like the bus driver took him anywhere, but that might not have stopped Johnny getting on a different bus at the same place

Anyone know?

AFAIK there was only 1 bus, and that was way in the beginning. If I'm not mistaken, that was a local MB bus and the driver told Johnny he didn't go t o Atlanta. I believe someone, MJames, Peeker, OLG, some posted about a wk ago all the sightings, and it may be on that.

 

[maureen]

Any thoughts on why his family has his ID instead of him having it with him? Especially with special needs, inability to communicate, being unfamiliar with MB, being allowed to go out alone? A medical bracelet would have been invaluable in this case!

 

[Nonni Brenda]

Sorry folks, I'm not reading all the posts b4 I start answering questions, and I am finding out that you all have already answered. Afraid my granddaughter is gonna catch me on here. LOL

 

[Nonni Brenda]

I asked this upthread ,but maybe it got lost .

What is the difference between Johnny's missing person case and the Linnea Lomax missing person case?

As far as I can tell they have issues that might make them more vulnerable,and they both seem to have walked away voluntarily.
If anything (and maybe I'm missing some important info) ,it's more obvious that Johnny is "LOST" while it looks as though Linnea may have left on her own.

Is LE treating them differently? Does the Lomax family have more resources?

It really bothers me that the HH police had to get a call from Peekerfoo to even learn about Johnny. They said they ddn't have anyone matching the drowning victims description ,reported missing,yet after talking to Peekerfoo he felt he needed more info from Julie.

To me that means Johnny has not risen to the status of being an "important" missing person.

Very minor publicity,only a few people even looking ,until CUE was brought in.

What's REALLY going on here?

MissJames, I'm not familiar with the other case you mentioned. Can you give a description of her, I am thinking of what differences they might have but need a description. thanks.

 

[Simp]

Sorry folks, I'm not reading all the posts b4 I start answering questions, and I am finding out that you all have already answered. Afraid my granddaughter is gonna catch me on here. LOL

Hope you are feeling better. Good to see you here. I talked to my friend in Atlanta again yesterday and the one from Suwanee (sp?) today. I've sent them pics and they were eager to help. Anyway, glad you're here and praying for your speedy recovery!!!

 

[Nonni Brenda]

So it seems that Johnny is aware enough to understand that buses and taxis can get him where he wants to be and also, he isnt afraid of getting on or in a vehicle.
Johnny can also, it seems use the phone and has gone into restaurants.

Maybe I am underestimating him, he obviously doesnt seem to be afraid of people but that is concerning in a way, because there have been no sightings or reports of him anywhere for almost two weeks, It looks very much that he isnt in Surfside anymore, where awareness was greatest, so now which way?

I heard that CUE were looking in Conway, if he has gone that way there are few big towns in that immediate direction, so there is a good chance he would stand out.

If he is going South as he needs to and if he can indeed say Atlanta and Cartersville, he is looking at 350 miles.
Im hoping he has gone to Myrtle Beach, Georgetown or Soccastee, there is a good chance he could go undetected in those towns

In my opinion, those three towns are the best chance of finding Johnny at the moment, they are all within a short enough distance for him to hitch a ride without anyone trying to go into detail about his background (idle chat, which would surely alert the driver),
He could get to those towns possibly on foot and there are no coordinated searches in those areas, so unless he stood out, there is a good chance he could still be okay in those areas.

Somehow, the awareness needs ramping up, someobody famous or high profile maybe?

Was anyone ever able to get in touch with the actor that played in "Radio"? I know we talked about it way back. Also didn't someone mention Nancy G. or JVM? What about Levi? Levi are you here?

 

[Nonni Brenda]

I think this has to be said regarding the comparisons between Linnea Lomax and Johnny Lamar Brown,
the media is a business and needs to court popularity saleability and visual impact.
Therefore a Photogenic white Blonde girl is going to get more media interest than a 44 year old Black man with special needs everytime, its an unfortunate fact of life in a media driven world.

The only way to compete is to create or find an angle,
Like I mentioned in an earlier post, we really could do with finding that angle, maybe a media celebrity or a campaign that differs from the normal route of a missing person, there are too many already and it is nigh on impossible to get to the top of the list.

Very early on someone on here mentioned the actor who played the autistic man in a film?
Somebody must have some connection somewhere that could be tapped into that would raise Johnnys profile
Obama was in Charleston the other night, there is no one higher on the food chain than him or going to Romney, it doesnt matter what their motive for supporting it is (votes) Is there a way to connect to those type of people?

Great ideas fabgod.
Johnny's description:
Special needs
Mentally handicapped
African American
Physical handicapped (would speech impediment qualify here???)
Very low family income (I can almost be sure of this, I have been to their home)

Now what celebrity, movie star, sports figure, musician, band, politician speaks out most often for each one of these characteristic?

Special needs spokeperson/leader:
Mentally handicapped spokesperson/leader:
African American spokesperson/leader:
Physicalhandicapped spokesperson/leader:
Low income spokesperson/leader:

What politician right now is running on any of the platforms?

Let's fill in the blanks and start calling/contacting them!:websleuther:

 

[Nonni Brenda]

I never asked J. if Johnny had been arrested before. I wonder if there's some kind of "look-up" to find out? I think any hospital can take any patient. If he was unidentified you would think they'd check NAMUS first thing. These are good questions and hopefully we can find the answers!

I'll check to see if his name is on the Bartow Co. records . It would show only if he had been found guilty.

 

[GateKeeper]

Sorry folks, I'm not reading all the posts b4 I start answering questions, and I am finding out that you all have already answered. Afraid my granddaughter is gonna catch me on here. LOL

ahhhh Nonni Brenda...youre so BAD!!!

 

[Nonni Brenda]

I wish I knew. I believe a lot of it is exactly what Fabgod said--Johnny is not a blonde young girl. We also have a family that, for whatever reason, aren't getting their voices heard (or not using them) and I have to wonder if there isn't one person in the family or their church who could help with public relations? Just someone in the community who may have ties to someone else who has better ties? Someone who could shout from the rooftops about this? Cartersville is not that far from Atlanta. Do they have anyone there that could take over? Can they call someone from a Civil Rights group that might be able to help? They have to make some of these calls. They just do and if they can't they need to find someone in will. Nonni Brenda is trying to help, but she has medical problems right now, so that's a big burden. There has to be SOMEONE besides complete strangers that can do SOMETHING! Thank goodness CUE answered the call and hopefully TES will be on it, too. We need just a little bit of assistance to BE of assistance. JMO

You are so right here. I'm gonna call Julie in the morning and tell her this, and find out who she knows in Cartersville who goes to bat for them here in this area. A very good friend of mine, we called him coach, passed away about 4 yrs ago. His name was Matthew Hill. He was absolutely the most loved person in Cartersville, of any race. He was African American, but he looked after anyone that needed it. He volunteered at the local children's shelter, where I worked part-time. I knew his daughter slightly. I'll try to call her tomorrow. Even if she can't help, I know she will be able to direct me to someone who can. I should have thought of it b4.

 

[Nonni Brenda]

Hope you are feeling better. Good to see you here. I talked to my friend in Atlanta again yesterday and the one from Suwanee (sp?) today. I've sent them pics and they were eager to help. Anyway, glad you're here and praying for your speedy recovery!!!

Thanks Simp. I am feeling better. Glad to be rid of this 9 mm kidney stone. I appreciate the good thoughts and words. I used to live in Atlanta, 15 yrs, Tucker, N. Druid Hills area. Worked for ATT there, easier than driving. I loved living there, but moved home at retirement. Really wish I had stayed. LOL

I checked the Ga. Dept. Of Corrections and didn't find Johnny Lamar Brown, or any Johnny Brown with an offense in Bartow County. But there was a note about a "First Offense Law", seemed their name wouldn't be listed if it was first offense. Not sure. I don't know if there is a way to check Bartow County records. I'm sure there must be, just don't know how to do it...

 

[Nonni Brenda]

ahhhh Nonni Brenda...youre so BAD!!!

I've been caught...Tee Hee

Nite All

fftobed:

 

[Reannan]

Thanks, Simp. Your help is so appreciated as are your kind words.

I feel so strongly about this because I may have seen Johnny. I even have a problem with that. I reported him as having jeans on, described them as well as I could, and that he was also carrying a bright colored umbrella. Julie said that others reported him as wearing jeans, but no one, to my knowledge, has said anything about an umbrella. It was because of these things that I hesitated to call. If several people reported him as wearing jeans then shouldn't that be all over the news when they do the interviews? They say he "may be wearing different clothing" on some things, but why not describe the jeans? How come no one else saw the umbrella? It was pouring rain that day and he was at the flea market the same day? I'm beginning to wonder if the man I saw even was Johnny. Maybe it's just wishful (weird) thinking on my part because I have so much guilt about not stopping. I wasn't out searching for Johnny that day, just coming back from the store. We found out my daughter's house had been robbed the night before and I was still upset about that. I saw a man walking in the rain, who met the description of the man I read about here on WS, with different pants on and an umbrella. I wish I knew how other people described his pants or whether they saw an umbrella. I would think they'd be putting out a more accurate description if that's the case. I haven't slept well since this began because I keep thinking about that day. I am taking Julie's word for it that there were other sightings of him in jeans. But why did NO ONE report a big orange and white striped golf umbrella? I hope you understand what i'm trying to say here. I wish I could go back and start that day all over again.

Peekerfoo, I hope you get to have a cup of coffee with Johnny someday, and ask him in person if that was him with the big umbrella that day! It may or may not have been Johnny, but in the end, the man you saw that day was a catalyst for igniting something awesome here on WS's. Your passion, your dedication, and your persistence has inspired, motivated, and has been a blessing to more people than just the ones who are posting here. ALL of you have been - and continue to be, the glue that holds humanity together IMHO. The family of Johnny is certainly not reaching out and utilizing the resources that are here, but in all honesty, I am not really surprised by that. Our world has split into at least two very different sectors of society. There are those who are 'connected' like us (look at Nonni Brenda sneaking away from her family to get on WS's!!! LOVE IT!!!) --- and then there is a section of society that is essentially "off of the grid". My family would have been a lot like Johnny's family. They just did not ask for help from anyone. You were born, you lived (if you were lucky), and you died. In between, there was TONS of love between the family, and VERY strong bonds, but that was "US". I've rambled on for long enough. Sorry - just wanted to say that you are all WONDERFUL, and I am SO glad that you are CONNECTED, and I am honored to be a part of this group. Still looking in Augusta, Georgia - everywhere.

 

[fabgod]

just checked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation site for missing persons - nothing
Atlanta Police Dept Missing Persons - nothing
Is it family that have to notify these departments?

CUE has a profile on Johnny, his last sighting is stated as 2.30pm 3rd august, what about the CCTV footage viewed by the family, when was that?

 

[Oriah]

I asked this upthread ,but maybe it got lost .

What is the difference between Johnny's missing person case and the Linnea Lomax missing person case?

As far as I can tell they have issues that might make them more vulnerable,and they both seem to have walked away voluntarily.
If anything (and maybe I'm missing some important info) ,it's more obvious that Johnny is "LOST" while it looks as though Linnea may have left on her own.

Is LE treating them differently? Does the Lomax family have more resources?

It really bothers me that the HH police had to get a call from Peekerfoo to even learn about Johnny. They said they ddn't have anyone matching the drowning victims description ,reported missing,yet after talking to Peekerfoo he felt he needed more info from Julie.

To me that means Johnny has not risen to the status of being an "important" missing person.

Very minor publicity,only a few people even looking ,until CUE was brought in.

What's REALLY going on here?

I understand your frustration, MissJames. I think there are many reasons why certain cases are treated differently in the media (and on the ground)- some which make sense, and some that just...don't.
My opinion only- but often missing persons with special needs grab a TON of attention- or none at all. Age of the individual always comes into play. Appearance of the individual always comes into play. How well the family of the missing individual can communicate always comes into play. And how the media interprets the case initially- all come into play.

My cop friends in Charleston had not heard about Johnny until I told them. That doesn't mean they didn't care- just that they have a lot on their own plates, and a description of a missing 44 yr old african american man with a speech impediment is- unfortunately- a dime a dozen in this area. Not saying this is right- just that it is. I hope that changes in the near future, but it's been one heck of a long uphill battle. I just hope we're close to the top.

Anyway, I think that in order to get the word out more productively to LE and SAR groups, maybe we need to personalize Johnny a little more. I asked upthread about his food likes/dislikes. Lets get a flyer made up that includes that sort of info. Let's include what makes him smile and laugh. Lets include the fear of thunderstorms. Lets include whether or not he likes animals and if so, what kind. What does he call his mom? His sister? That sort of thing.

I really think we need to distinguish him in a very personalized way to raise awareness.

And he needs to be entered in Namus, in the event that something bad has happened to him.

 

[Peekerfoo]

Hi everyone. My family has dared me to come to this comp. b4 3 days, but they are all in bed or gone now. I have skipped around and read some of your posts, and I can understand what you all are saying. I talked to Julie Tues. night told her about my surgery scheduled for Wed. and told her I would help her this am put out flyers. Little did I know I would feel so bad today, after all, the procedure was outpatient??? Lipotripsy...She was to be off work today and Fri, and said she has a lot of fliers. There are 2 truck stops near here, one 15 mi north and the other 10 mi south, approx. I haven't heard from her, and really didn't feel like calling her. My pain med. has kept me sleeping a lot of the day. I really understand the questions you are having about the family's activity searching. I honestly expected a call from her this am.??? All I know is they are very poor, can't stay in MB for very long searching, and probably don't know much else they can do. I did talk to Johnny's mom during the day on Tues. She and Rev. Brown were still at MB, but had no transportation. She told me they could stay till the weekend and would probably have to take a bus back home. I am at a loss what else to tell you. On Tues I did contact the 3 mjr tv stations in atla who said they would brocast the story again. I didn't hear them Tues night, and wasn't able to check yesterday or today. The Cartersville newspaper, who reported it in the beginning said they would run it again. I updated some info for them, about sightings, advised to stress mental disability and very severe speech impediment, probably facial hair by now, and may be in Ga trying to get back home. The Cartersville radio station did a phone interview of me and I gave them the same info. they also had broadcast it weeks ago too. I don't know what else I can do. Peekerfoo, please dont feel bad. You have done so much. You, Miss J. OLG Writer nosysw, fabgod, all you others inspired me. But we can just do so much. I'm wondering if the family hasn't given up??? I know the helpless feeling we are getting can also be the same feeling the family has. I think he has tried to get back home, maybe hitch hicking, and someone dropped him off at the end of their line. Thank you all for what you are doing. I'm gonna stay on here till about 11 o'clock, unless I get caught b4 then...I'll check back tomorrow after lunch. Love and appreciate you all. Nonni

Nonni Brenda, you should be resting!! Thanks so much for getting in touch with Julie. I'm sorry she didn't call you back yet. You really need to take it easy. You have done so much already, but your health has got to be your priority right now! I'm glad that you have loved ones there that care so much.

I hope the family hasn't given up! Do you know who made their facebook page? Perhaps whoever did could change it to be more about finding Johnny, with a little blurb about the donations. I realize that there's a shortage of funds with the family, but I feel that the Facebook page should be filled with info about Johnny. People need something they can share that has lots of pictures and ideas about where he might be headed. I'm new to Facebook and still trying to figure it out, so I would NOT be a good candidate for the job of trying to do a FB page.

I can't believe the parents stayed here and Julie didn't let me know.:banghead: I offered transportation and still have my packet of things for them. I don't know what to say about that. I hope they made out OK this week.

My focus is on Johnny and getting the word out. I feel bad for his family, but Johnny is the one who is lost and he will be the one getting my energy. He's the one who is probably scared to death, confused, hot, bug bitten, and maybe worse. He's the one I'm concentrating on. I've come to realize that helping to find Johnny is the BEST thing we can do for the family.

Nonni Brenda---:rocker:

 

[Peekerfoo]

I've been caught...Tee Hee

Nite All

fftobed:

BUSTED!!!! :what: