Awareness=Answers

In the past 12 years, more than 80 young American men with bright futures and vibrant personalities have either drowned or disappeared under similar circumstances.

Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter Kristi Piehl first exposed the theory of a possible connection between the mysterious drowning deaths in 2008 on Good Morning America. In 2009, she appeared on GMA, CNN and many radio programs with Bill Szostak, a former fire investigator trying to solve his son’s death.

Kristi, experienced professionals and families of victims are trying to transform the creepy conspiracies and shady theories of  the “smiley face killers” story into active police investigations.  Forget graffiti of smiley faces – we are focusing on facts.

We want to raise awareness about the victims by looking at cases one at a time. If the victims were killed then there should be forensic evidence. When we find evidence, we turn it over to law enforcement. We’ve seen disturbing patterns in how drowning investigations are being handled. In many cases, the police investigation is closed before key evidence is gathered and before the toxicology findings are complete. We want to see law enforcement handle an unexplained drowning like an unexplained shooting or stabbing.  We also want to keep the public informed about missing men.

Exclusive Awareness=Answers content:

Despite new evidence in Todd Geib’s case, Michigan authorities refuse to reopen the case. Click here to see the documents.

What happened to Josh Szostak after he left a bar? His bizarre behavior is caught on tape.

Are college-aged men really at a higher risk for drowning? Click here to read Kristi’s research.

Want to take action? Join us and let’s make a difference.

Kristi Piehl Uncategorized

The August 6, 2010 Dateline episode about Chris Jenkins hit painfully close to home for dozens of American families who also lost their sons to “accidental” drowning deaths. From the raw pain of burying a child to the explanations given by police to the unanswered questions, there are many families surviving a parallel nightmare. They live in states from Minnesota to New York and frequently talk and email. They believe there is strength in numbers and pray national exposure will bring answers and awareness.

I asked some parents for their reaction to the Dateline story :

Matthew Grendel

Dennis and Patty Grendel – “It was very hard to watch the Chris Jenkins story on Dateline. All of the memories of re-living what happened to our son, Matthew, came to light. Matthew was missing 78 days. He was last seen partying with friends during the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. He was found in a body of water. After he was found, the case was closed. The autopsy concluded alcohol and hypothermia contributed to his drowning. At last sight, Matthew was stumbling down the street, barely able to walk. So how did he get from where he was last seen to where his body was found?”

David Reilly

Mike and Diane Reilly –  “The police reacted the same way as with Chris; David ‘commited suidcide’ or he ‘accidentally fell’ in the water.  We know our son and he loved life and never would have taken his own life.  Our story needs to be told.”

Josh Szostak

Bill Szostak – “Watching the story of Chris Jenkins on Dateline was re-living the story of my son, Josh. From being told by the Albany Police Department that my son is with a girl or he must have taken his own life and/or he fell in the river. The police told us that until either when he comes out from hiding or his body pops up in the spring in the river, there nothing more they could do. Also from having our family doing our own investigation and finding more evidence than law enforcement had and the list goes on. The bottom line is we, as parents, know our children and the police need to respect that.They should do their job to the highest level and before coming to a conclusion, they should have the evidence to support their conclusion!”

Brian Welzein

Stephany Welzein –  “I could watch only a few minutes online before so many tears came that I simply had to walk away and return a few minutes at a time. It will probably take quite a while to get thru the video. Brian’s disappearance in Chicago on New Year’s Eve 1999 and our 3 1/2 month search with all the trauma and mental anguish returned with a vengeance. After 10 years, the pain and sadness remains gut-wretching! The stories of Chris and Brian are so similar. When they killed Brian they killed me too.”

If you missed it, the story of Chris Jenkins on Dateline’s new series “Solve My Mystery”, explored the life and death of the University of Minnesota college student. Chris disappeared on Halloween 2002 and was recovered months later in the Mississippi River. After initially being ruled suicide or accidental, Minneapolis Police re-opened the case and re-classified Chris’s death as a homicide. It remains unsolved.

Click here to see extended online coverage of “Solve My Mystery – Chris Jenkins.”

Kristi Piehl Uncategorized

Steve and Jan Jenkins agreed to give Dateline full access to their son’s story because the producer promised he’d paint a picture of the young man Chris Jenkins was. To give the story a unique personal perspective, the producer used an actor to portray Chris so during the one hour special on NBC, you’ll be able to see the amazing life Chris lived and the disturbing way he died.

Steve and Jan were first interviewed for the Dateline story airing August 6, 2010 in January 2009.  The Dateline crew was in Minneapolis for several days visiting key locations and interviewing people who could help tell the story of the University of Minnesota student’s  life, death and ongoing murder investigation.

Jan and Steve didn’t learn the date the story would air until late July. Here’s how Jan described the moment, “Steve and I are looking at each other tonight asking, ‘Do you believe what we did? We spent 7 years of our life fighting for our son’s right to life and justice. We challenged the nonsense; no barrier stopped us. Our purpose and mission were crystal-clear: find Chris, seek justice. Truly, a parent’s love is a force to be reckoned with.”

Steve and Jan will be on the Today Show on August 6.  Dateline will air the Chris Jenkins story at 10:00 pm Eastern. To clarify – Dateline is a two hour show and the Chris Jenkins story is scheduled for the second hour. If you are setting a DVR or Tivo, Dateline is listed as beginning at 9:00 pm Eastern and ending at 11:00 pm Eastern.

You can read more about their fight for justice in Jan’s book, “Footprints of Courage.” Visit the website at www.footprintsofcourage.com.

The Minneapolis NBC affiliate, KARE 11, aired this preview of the Dateline story on August 5, 2010.

Kristi Piehl Uncategorized

Jonathan Lacina

We’ve followed the Jonathan Lacina  story since he disappeared from Iowa State University in January. Now weeks after Jon’s death investigation was completed, his parents are releasing new details and giving powerful advice to young men and women.

Tom and Alesia Lacina want people to learn something from Jon’s death. In an open letter, they write,  “The possible lessons are simple–buddy-up, drink in moderation if you drink, carry a well-charged cell phone with good batteries, and know your physical limitations. After taking reasonable precautions, however, we maintain living life fully is best. Life is precarious, and living every day fully is not just foolish optimism; it is a recognition all of us share the same end no matter what, and not living fully is at best laziness or fear or at worst a denial and a form of disrespect to those, older and younger, who have worked to enrich our lives. These may seem like strong words. They are the words of grieving parents trying to lean into the pain so as to continue moving forward day to day. We believe they express a truth about what it means to truly live, and certainly how we should live to honor our son, Jon.”

The letter also answers questions about what happened to Jon. Click here to read the full letter.

Note :  It’s clear police performed a lengthy investigation. His family stands by the evidence that shows Jon’s death was accidental. So why am I posting this on this website dedicated to answering questions about unexplained drowning cases? The advice from Jon’s parents is important for every young man and woman.

Kristi Piehl Uncategorized

In one week, NBC will dedicate one hour to the story of Chris Jenkins. “Solve My Mystery” will air August 6 at 9:00 pm EST.

Chris was a University of Minnesota college student who was last seen on Halloween night 2002. He was found months later in the Mississippi River. Officials immediately classified his death as “accidental/suicide.” His parents, Steve and Jan, never believed it and spent years fighting for answers. Chris’s death was changed to “homicide.”  However, it is an unsolved murder and it seems to be gathering dust on some Minneapolis Detective’s desk. Chris’s killers are out there somewhere.  Let’s hope renewed attention to his case will bring new information to light and will send a message that the unexplained deaths of young men deserve attention.

I asked Jan Jenkins what the NBC special means to her family. She said, “This is the first time in 7.5 years that a story about Chris will talk about his life as well as his death. We’re so proud of our son & brother and it has been heart-breaking focusing on his death when in life, he was so full of energy, smiles, and a can-do attitude. We hope some of the many people who know what happened that night do come forward. We also hope that Chris’s story brings awareness to all the young adult men found in water and their families who have suffered: missing, murder, no investigation, and no justice.”

Jan Jenkins is the author of “Footprints of Courage.” Check out her website at www.footprintsofcourage.com.

Kristi Piehl Uncategorized

Chris Jenkins

“Solve My Mystery: The Chris Jenkins Story” is scheduled to air on Dateline NBC on August 6 at 9:00 pm EST.

Here’s what Jan Jenkins (author of “Footprints of Courage” – www. footprintsofcourage.com) wrote in an email, “Encourage anyone who cares about family, safety, and justice to watch the show. It will be amazing.”

Kristi Piehl Uncategorized

Jonathan Lacina

Note:  This is an update to a case that this site has followed since Jon disappeared. There is no evidence of foul play. By posting it here, I’m not implying any connection to any other deaths or disappearances in Iowa.

Medical Examiners have released a report in the mysterious death of Iowa State University student, Jonathan Lacina. The experts concluded that Jonathan’s death was an accident resulting from a combination of probable hypothermia and sharp force trauma.

Jonathan, 22,  was last seen leaving a party near the Iowa State University campus on January 22, 2010.  He was headed home, but his body was found in April in the opposite direction of his apartment. He was recovered in an abandoned building that was part of the college’s old dairy farm.

According to the Ames Tribune, the injuries found are consistent with falling down a flight of stairs and cuts from a window pane. Evidence found at the scene apparently supports the police theory of what happened to Jonathan. His blood alcohol level will not be released, but officials say that Jonathan did purchase alcohol on the day he was last seen.

Jonathan’s family released a statement thanking authorities for their work and supporting the Medical Examiner’s conclusion.

Kristi Piehl Uncategorized

Josh Guimond

Josh Guimond disappeared from St. John’s University in Minnesota in 2002. Since then, his family, friends and authorities have failed to turn up any sign of him.

A recent TV news report is adding new interest to the case and generating new leads.  Josh’s family is asking for help funding  a private investigation so they can make sure the new tips are followed up on.  To donate to the fund, send a check to United Minnesota Bank, 105 Central Avenue E, PO Box 289, New London, MN 56273.

Click here to watch the recent TV news investigation.

If you have information about Josh, contact the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office at 320.259.3700 or email his family at bobg1123@yahoo.com.

Kristi Piehl Uncategorized

Note – this article was originally written and posted on June 12, 2009.  Please see the case updates at the bottom of the article.

These anniversaries are always difficult for the families. Please keep them in your thoughts.

June 12^th isn’t just another day for Kathy Geib and Jon Snell. It’s a date the Michigan mother and Minnesota brother would like to scrub from the calendar. Each summer, they brace themselves, as the memories of June 12, 2005 rush back.

TODD GEIB

“Did he know how deeply he was loved?” Did he know how deeply he’s missed?” The questions torment Kathy Geib.

The Geib Family - Todd (in white hat), his parents and sisters

Her husband, three daughters and strong faith in God give the admittedly private woman the courage to talk openly about her only son, Todd

“He was passionate,” she says. “He was funny. He had these one-liners that just said it all.” Kathy remembers that it took Todd just a few words to boost someone’s mood or take away tension. She can giggle her way through a story about “Toddy,” but there is no masking her longing. “He left a hole in our family.”

Todd was last seen walking home from a party in Casnovia, Michigan on June 12, 2005. He made a strange phone call to a friend and wasn’t heard from again. According to the couple who found Todd, he was standing upright in Obenhall Lake. They remember it distinctly because his head and shoulders were sticking out of the water. With a blood alcohol content of .12, the cause of death was ruled “drowning.” The manner of death was ruled “undetermined.” The Michigan State Police closed Todd’s case.

Once, a police officer told Kathy that Todd went for a swim. Why would he swim with his wallet in his pocket and wearing his clothes and shoes? Why would he swim in Obenhall Lake when he lived nearby and had a lake in his backyard? With each explanation, Kathy’s questions compounded.

“I am 100% sure, mother’s intuition, that Todd was a victim of homicide.” Without answers, Kathy says her family can’t “fully lay Todd to death. It’s a constantly open story that needs to be finished.”

JOSH SNELL

“It’s still not done. His killer still hasn’t been arrested.” When Jon Snell talks about his brother, Josh, the sadness is overpowered by conviction and determination. Jon knows every aspect of his brother’s case. He’s seen the recovery photos. He’s practically memorized the police file. He’s still seeking the bit of information that will convince police that his brother didn’t accidentally stumble into the Chippewa River on June 12, 2005. Jon says, “I know he wouldn’t have walked into the river.”

Josh Snell

At the time, Josh lived just six blocks from the Mississippi River in Minnesota. On the weekend of the 12^th, he traveled to Eau Claire, Wisconsin for a friend’s wedding. While in town, Josh visited a bar and left to see a friend. When he didn’t arrive, the friend called and Josh said he was running from someone. Based on the distressed phone call and Josh’s disappearance, police initially considered him a potentially “endangered missing person.”

Three hours after his brother was found dead in the Chippewa, Jon went to the medical examiner’s office to identify his brother. At that time, Jon says the medical examiner hadn’t started the autopsy, but told him Josh’s death was probably an accidental drowning.

While Jon keeps fighting for answers, he’s also struggling with the daily pain of missing his brother. “I would die today if I could have one more day with him,” Jon says. The two Snell boys were less than 2 years apart in age. As kids, they were frequently on the same baseball teams. As adults, they signed up for softball teams together. “Tonight, I’m going to play softball.” Jon says, “Other guys play with their brothers and I’m jealous because my brother can’t be there to play with me.”

Jon and Kathy are now friends who regularly compare notes and share day-to-day struggles. They are planning a time to meet in person. Kathy says, “We share something extremely huge. I don’t know how to describe it.”

Jon Snell says the Eau Claire Police have offered to take another look at the case if any new evidence is found. As I’ve posted earlier, we uncovered significant new details and forensic evidence that suggests Todd was only dead for a few days and that a new police investigation is warranted. However, police are refusing to re-investigate. Click here to read more and see the police response. I, along with a team of professionals and families of victims are committed to getting answers. We are working on more cases and  will post details when we can.

Thank you to the Snell and Geib families for sharing their emotion, stories and friendship with me.

Kristi Piehl Uncategorized

Sylvester McCurry

Authorities investigating the death of Sylvester McCurry say there is nothing to indicate foul play was involved.  During the autopsy, medical examiners report finding no traumatic injuries or assault wounds.

They are waiting to make a final determination until toxicology reports are completed. Results should be finished in several weeks.

NOTE – Authorities making a public statement that there is “no evidence of foul play” is an ongoing pattern with deaths where bodies are recovered in water. My hope is that a full toxicology report is conducted and considered before any determination is made.

In several other situations, cases have been closed before the toxicology report was completed. In at least one case, we’ve found unexplained drugs in the toxicology report. However, since the case was already closed and the determination “accidental” made, the drugs were not part of the police investigation.

To be clear – there is no evidence (that I’m aware of)  connecting Sylvester McCurry to any other death or disappearance. The goal of this site is to make people aware of disappearances and drowning deaths. We also want to educate the public and law enforcement that water is the perfect way to conceal homicide. In any unexplained death, homicide should be considered and ruled out.

Kristi Piehl Uncategorized