Missing Brother
 

Hey, guys: I did a workshop this week @ the Mid-American Greek Council Assn. meeting here in the Chicago area, and one of the attendees was a member of Sigma-Rho @ Missouri/Kansas City.

He informed me that the following Chicago Tribune story has pertinence to us as LCA members:

The parents of a teenager who disappeared while visiting Chicago last year said Wednesday (Jan. 24) they are offering $5,000 for information leading to his return.

Jesse Ross, 19, who was attending a four-day model United Nations conference downtown, was last seen about 3 a.m. Nov. 21.

Surveillance video last captured images of the University of Missouri-Kansas City sophomore at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E. North Water St., where he was attending two conference events, including a dance. Chicago police have said some other attendees said Ross appeared drunk shortly before his disappearance.

Police divers have scoured the Chicago River and Lake Michigan shore, but they found nothing, spokeswoman Monique Bond said. Police most recently have searched the lakefront by helicopter during training missions and consider the investigation ongoing, she said.

Ross' parents said they remain hopeful that their son is alive and were buoyed by the recent report of two missing boys being found alive near St. Louis, one who was gone for four years. The possibilities of what happened to Ross in such a large city seem endless, especially because "you never know what's in a teenager's head," said his father Don Ross, 58, of Raytown, Mo.

"It's a little bit of a survival technique, but we consider anything but him being found [alive] unacceptable," he said. "To us, he will be coming home. We won't think otherwise until someone proves otherwise."

The reward money was raised from a variety of sources, including Ross' school, which has sold T-shirts that include his photo and the words, "Where's Opie?"--a nod to the nickname Ross used on a Kansas City radio show.

Some sort of advertising is likely to follow, Don Ross said, which could include ads on the sides of city buses. "Being in Kansas City, we need all the help we can get," he said.

The TV show "America's Most Wanted" also has taken note, detailing Ross' disappearance on its Web site.

Ross' parents plan to celebrate his birthday Feb. 18 at one of his favorite Italian restaurants.

"We'll celebrate every birthday until he is home," Don Ross said. "You can't allow any room for pessimism, or it ends up taking over."

Police have found video of Ross in a hotel elevator shortly before 1 a.m., but they haven't found footage of him leaving the building. He had been staying at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 630 N. Rush St., about half a mile away, but there is no evidence he made it back.

This was a sad story to begin with, but learning that the young man is an Associate Member @ Sigma-Rho adds some poignance...

It's possible he wasn't drunk at all. From courtTV Crime Library:

Some recent reports suggest Jesse was drinking before his disappearance, however surveillance tapes from the Sheraton Chicago Hotel give no indication he was intoxicated and the footage they have show him walking around with a Gatorade bottle.

Brother BOZ, this is indeed a sad state of affairs.

I have been keeping up on this and We are all wondering where this young Brother is? His Parents and Fraternity Brothers want to know.

I have visited the Zeta there and The Bothers that I have met or PG&G. They worry about "Opie"

He is one of Us!

Jesse Ross
 

We have heard suggestions that Jesse was drinking; in fact nearly everyone was drinking. What we haven't heard is any helpful information as to who he might have been drinking with prior to his disappearance. Maybe someone is protecting themselves since he was only nineteen, but as his parents we are less interested in harassing someone for drinking with him as we are in getting as much information as possible on what he may have done or said that last day. The police need clues to get their investigation moving. The ultimate goal is to find Jesse and no one seems to want to talk to us. Don and Donna Ross, doktordsbc@aol.com

While I did not have a chance to meet "Opie", I have visited the LXA house and they are a great bunch of Brothers!

They have tried to go the full mile to help find him and one has to give them credit for that.

While I did not know him, He is my Brother and I have him in my thoughts a lot.

We can only hope at this point of time for closer for you and the rest of the Family and Brothers!

How did I miss this post back in February? I gotta get my head out of my ass.

Thinking the same thing...

Good luck to the parents.

Have been in email with Opies Dad.

It cannot be easy for him and the family.

We can only hope for closure after this long of a time!

Keep Him, His Family, and His Brothers in Your thoughts!

This is why We are Brothers and a part of the Family!

Saw this on the news last night and it's very disturbing. (there's a short commercial first, then the story)

http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=111727@wcbs.dayport.com

WHOA.