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

[Truman]

I hate that I cannot be there helping. I agree with writer, I feel very strongly that "The Hill" needs to be checked.

The lack of recent sightings could be because he left with "Roger" as the lady at the hotel said.

Do the police know about the possibility of him going to "The Hill"? I have to believe they would escort Johnny's family and/or the (wonderful) people searching to see if he's there.

If anyone thinks an "anonymous" tip might get LE out there quicker, I'd be happy to phone it in.

Thanks again to every poster here for caring, and especially to those fantastic WSers searching for Johnny. You're going to find him, and I cannot wait to read all about the happy ending of this story!

 

[Peekerfoo]

Peekerfoo:

I have tried to call Julia a couple of times today, but she hasn't returned my calls. I know she is trying to work and take care of looking for her brother, and I 'm sure she has a lot on her, so I just assumed she was very busy. I'm really glad you have been in contact with her. I live in their hometown and had mentioned to her dad on Mon. that I would possibly be coming to MB either Fri or Sat, and offered to bring others to search in my car if any of the family wanted to ride with me. Do you know when they will be leaving? I'll try to call her again in the morning. I have one trip to make to Atlanta concerning a health issue for myself, then I can be off to MB. If you talk to her b4 I do please let her know. Thanks for all you are doing. You are more than an angel! Nonni

Nonni Brenda, I believe they were leaving this morning and Julie said they should get here around 6pm. She said more family members were supposed to come with them, but they backed out for various reasons. There will only be 4 of them coming now. I think Julie will be going back after the week-end, but she said her parents would be here all next week.

I really feel that she could use your help in GA. I sense that she's a little overwhelmed. Who wouldn't be?! Her mind must be going in a million directions and perhaps she needs someone to help her keep it all straight.

I woke up scared this morning. I have this terrible feeling that Johnny is no longer in Surfside. This is a small town, there have been no recent sightings of him, and I know that there are many people (including our concerned LE) who are looking for him. Unless he's hunkered down in the woods and hasn't come out for days, I don't see how he could still be here. Maybe someone has taken him in? I pray that he is still in this area because, if he is, I surely believe he will be found. My husband and I took another drive last evening and concentrated again on the southern end all the way to Murrells Inlet. We went by one guy twice, who was fixing a bicycle, and he must have thought we were neighborhood watch or something. He had on glasses and was too tall, so we moved on.

I am at the point now where I'm looking for his cap, shoes, or the umbrella. ANYTHING that could possibly be related.

 

[Peekerfoo]

TES told Julie it would be the 8th or the 9th.
For the SLEd Silver Alert it's not just a matter of qualifying by disability . It's to assist the local LE with resources they may not have or may not have enough of . My best guess is that MBPD doesn't feel there is anything more SLED could do that they aren't already doing .

If there are verified sightings then the very best thing would be publicity so more people know to call LE when he's spotted .It possible to track him from a certain "last known" location , but there is nothing with Johnnys scent in MB right now so no way of starting a SAR dog tracking .

Nonni Brenda got clothing from Johnnys parents to bring to MB when she comes.

Miss James I am scared that Johnny has left the Surfside area. How far south did you and OLG put up flyers? Since he was seen at the Flea Market I wonder if he wandered further south down 17 Business? I am very worried about the fact that there have been no more sightings recently and I agree that the media needs to step up on this. I know you ladies have a contact with someone at TV station (a different one than my contact) so maybe they would interview the family while they are here? My contact is a camera man ( he shot the film of the POI in Brittanee Drexel's case) so he doesn't hold a lot of sway with what stories they do. He is doing his best.

Will you be meeting with Julie while she's here? It would be nice if we could all get together at some point and see what we can do to help her.

I hope I'm wrong and Johnny is still in Surfside because if he left that opens up a whole new can of worms.

 

[Peekerfoo]

I am more and more concerned that there have not been any more recent sightings in that area. Makes me wonder if he accepted a ride somewhere and is trying to get back home.

I don't think anyone harmed him. I am just worried that he is getting further away. Why hasn't he called again? I feel kind of anxious that with all of the renewed interest, he has not popped up again.

I feel the same way and it terrifies me.

 

[Peekerfoo]

I hate that I cannot be there helping. I agree with writer, I feel very strongly that "The Hill" needs to be checked.

The lack of recent sightings could be because he left with "Roger" as the lady at the hotel said.

Do the police know about the possibility of him going to "The Hill"? I have to believe they would escort Johnny's family and/or the (wonderful) people searching to see if he's there.

If anyone thinks an "anonymous" tip might get LE out there quicker, I'd be happy to phone it in.

Thanks again to every poster here for caring, and especially to those fantastic WSers searching for Johnny. You're going to find him, and I cannot wait to read all about the happy ending of this story!

Miss James or OLG could answer this better, but I THINK Roger left before the last sightings. I don't know much about The Hill other than it's a bad area.

 

[Oriah]

I know some cops in the area(s). I will call around this morning and see that everyone has a flyer in their car or up on their laptop.

I too am concerned that he may have left the area. I think it's possible that a well-meaning person gave him a ride somewhere where they thought he wanted to go, but perhaps both were confused and the destination got lost in translation.
I am concerned that he may have drowned- but given recent weather, it seems like he would probably be more likely to have hunkered down under an overpass or in a store or shop somewhere? Maybe someone who knows him well could weigh in on this?

Also, I had another thought where flyers need to be put up- the casinos. Has anyone covered this yet? Not just MB but Little River, Calabash, etc. I can call around and make that happen, if it has not already been done.

 

[cocomod]

I have a question for those that have talked to family or been on the ground down there. With any of these possible sightings, has any video surveillance been checked or found substantiating any of the sightings after Aug 5?

 

[Oriah]

coco, I don't know but maybe someone else does. It certainly would be prudent to continue to check surveillance videos on a regular basis- and they are everywhere in the area. Convenience stores, restuarants, hotels, recreational spots like water parks, mini golf, casinos, etc. Honestly, I'd be surprised to find a business in the area that does NOT have surveillance- or is not being picked up by another businesses' surveillance cams.

I will try to find out. That's a lot of work for local LE, and I wonder if they have been able to keep up- or if maybe they are overworked and need a little support in that department to make that happen.

 

[Nonni Brenda]

I just called and spoke with Julie, Johnny's sister. They are leaving now for MB, lots of family going. She said they have been talking with CUE, who is already there searching. CUE will be sleeping in the woods with the homeless, in case Johnny shows up there. Ch.13 is waiting for Julie to do an interview with her. It will go out to SC, NC, and Ga. No word about TES. Not sure about them. I have a feeling Johnny is gonna be found this weekend. It would be great if they can bring him back home with them. I told her I will be her home base here in Cartersville, and if she needs anything, dog fed or whatever, to call me. Just wanted to let everyone know what's going on. If I hear from them I will post here. Brenda

 

[nosysw]

I think in the beginning Johnny was in more public areas and therefore may have been able to use the phone of kind strangers. If he has settled in with a homeless group, he probably would no longer have access to a phone, and also may have settled down more, or less, in a specific area, thus no further sightings(?)

Does anyone know where "The Hill" is? I tried playing around on the internet to figure it out with no luck. Is it in Surfside Beach?

Today is my last day here and I was so hoping there would have been resolution by now. It is my birthday and I would give up all my birthday wishes for this year and however many I have left to bring Johnny home.

Praying today is the day. Everyone sounds discouraged but I think the family coming back is just the catalyst that is needed.

It would be great if they could be plastered all over the news on the off chance Johnny would see it. Is it crazy to think a picture of them posted around might bring him out of wherever he is? It could say something like "We're here looking for you and the police will help you get to us" (to combat his fear of police). Someone said he could read a little and that is pretty simple.

Maybe I'm grasping at straws, sigh...

 

[nosysw]

I have a question for those that have talked to family or been on the ground down there. With any of these possible sightings, has any video surveillance been checked or found substantiating any of the sightings after Aug 5?

I'm not sure about that but I don't know that Johnny himself was ever seen on surveillance (I'm just going by my recollection, someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

Peekerfoo, who has been doing so much work on this case and is so amazing, I believe was the last one to have reported a sighting (again, from memory) and I believe that would have been 8/24, so much later than the first sightings and only a week ago, today.

Don't forget how long elapsed between the first sightings and the last. I'm not discouraged by that...I think it makes sense that he may be more "settled", for lack of a better word, by now. You know how when a child gets lost they often think "Oh, they've left me and I'll never see them again". If Johnny feels this way he may have stopped trying to find them and just moved on to making it through each day.

But, I am confident, with the family coming back, the publicity, and the police investigating, he will be found.

 

[Truman]

Peekerfoo, who has been doing so much work on this case and is so amazing, I believe was the last one to have reported a sighting (again, from memory) and I believe that would have been 8/24, so much later than the first sightings and only a week ago, today.

But, I am confident, with the family coming back, the publicity, and the police investigating, he will be found.

I agree 100%. Peekerfoo saw him two weeks after he disappeared...so he obviously was able to stay safe and fed for two weeks on his own. That bodes incredibly well for his safe return. He's proven he can keep himself well - he's doing his part, now we just need to do our part and find him.

 

[Reannan]

I am at work today, and I just stopped one of our security guards at the hospital here in Augusta and he did not know about the case. So, I gave him the details, made him go to my office to look at the pictures on Websleuths, and then I emailed him the pictures and description information for him to please share with his co-workers and the staff in our ED. I am hoping Johnny is found today and his family can take him back home. lease:

 

[Oriah]

The staying fed is really important, imo. Is it possible he has shoplifted food from businesses along bus 17 or 17, or shared a meal with a tourist? Or any of the easy/quick stops in the area? I wonder if maybe we could take a look at reports from business owners.

What are Johnny's favorite foods and beverages?

 

[stillwatersc]

I just called and spoke with Julie, Johnny's sister. They are leaving now for MB, lots of family going. She said they have been talking with CUE, who is already there searching. CUE will be sleeping in the woods with the homeless, in case Johnny shows up there. Ch.13 is waiting for Julie to do an interview with her. It will go out to SC, NC, and Ga. No word about TES. Not sure about them. I have a feeling Johnny is gonna be found this weekend. It would be great if they can bring him back home with them. I told her I will be her home base here in Cartersville, and if she needs anything, dog fed or whatever, to call me. Just wanted to let everyone know what's going on. If I hear from them I will post here. Brenda

Someone needs to remain there in the home in case Johnny calls or finds his way home.

 

[MissJames]

Most of the suggestions have been done and looked into as we've posted throughout this case.
MBP officers read here so no need for anonymous tips .

I'm waiting to see what the family does next and will follow their lead
.I won't be back to MB unless I can help in some way with Johnny after he's found .I'll leave that up to MBPD.
I haven't heard from Johnnys sister since I called her earlier this week .

 

[MissJames]

I agree 100%. Peekerfoo saw him two weeks after he disappeared...so he obviously was able to stay safe and fed for two weeks on his own. That bodes incredibly well for his safe return. He's proven he can keep himself well - he's doing his part, now we just need to do our part and find him.

Johnny is more capable and independent than I originally believed .I do hope he is keeping dry , fed and is safe .

 

[MissJames]

coco, I don't know but maybe someone else does. It certainly would be prudent to continue to check surveillance videos on a regular basis- and they are everywhere in the area. Convenience stores, restuarants, hotels, recreational spots like water parks, mini golf, casinos, etc. Honestly, I'd be surprised to find a business in the area that does NOT have surveillance- or is not being picked up by another businesses' surveillance cams.

I will try to find out. That's a lot of work for local LE, and I wonder if they have been able to keep up- or if maybe they are overworked and need a little support in that department to make that happen.

Julie told me the family saw a surveillance video from a store and Johnny was pacing out front and trying to use the phone .I think it was in the first week or so .
This is a guy on the move .the area is quite dense with touristy businesses .There is a vast population of tourists that are ever changing .

 

[Peekerfoo]

I just called and spoke with Julie, Johnny's sister. They are leaving now for MB, lots of family going. She said they have been talking with CUE, who is already there searching. CUE will be sleeping in the woods with the homeless, in case Johnny shows up there. Ch.13 is waiting for Julie to do an interview with her. It will go out to SC, NC, and Ga. No word about TES. Not sure about them. I have a feeling Johnny is gonna be found this weekend. It would be great if they can bring him back home with them. I told her I will be her home base here in Cartersville, and if she needs anything, dog fed or whatever, to call me. Just wanted to let everyone know what's going on. If I hear from them I will post here. Brenda

That's all good news!

 

[MissJames]

I just called and spoke with Julie, Johnny's sister. They are leaving now for MB, lots of family going. She said they have been talking with CUE, who is already there searching. CUE will be sleeping in the woods with the homeless, in case Johnny shows up there. Ch.13 is waiting for Julie to do an interview with her. It will go out to SC, NC, and Ga. No word about TES. Not sure about them. I have a feeling Johnny is gonna be found this weekend. It would be great if they can bring him back home with them. I told her I will be her home base here in Cartersville, and if she needs anything, dog fed or whatever, to call me. Just wanted to let everyone know what's going on. If I hear from them I will post here. Brenda

That would be awesome . With the constant pop up thunderstorms and hurricane season , Johnny needs to be in his own home .