MISSING AMATEUR OPERATORS

[WA6JKH]

The following is forwarded via RACES operators in Newport Beach CA. Newport Beach Police Department is requesting help in locating Thomas Hawks, KD7VWJ, and his wife Jackie, KD7VWK, recently reported missing. If you have any information concerning their whereabouts and safety, please contact the NBPD Detectives as described in the last paragraph. Photographs are available on the NBPD web site. Following is the NBPD release:

____
COUPLE MISSING AFTER SELLING BOAT IN NEWPORT BEACH, CA USA

Missing Person #1: THOMAS CHARLES HAWKS 57 years, Resident of Prescott, Arizona
Description: Male Caucasian, short brown hair, hazel eyes, 5'8", 185 pounds

Missing Person #2: JACKIE ELLEN HAWKS 47 years, Resident of Prescott, Arizona
Description: Female Caucasian, brown hair, brown eyes, 5'6", 110 pounds

Thomas Hawks and his wife Jackie Hawks have been reported missing by
family members after they recently sold the boat on which they have been
living. Thomas Hawks, a retired Arizona Probation Officer, and his wife,
spent much of their time traveling on their boat between Newport Beach,
San Diego and San Carlos, Mexico. Though they claim residency in
Prescott, Arizona they have been spending much of their time living on
their boat in the area of 15th Street and Balboa Blvd. in Newport Beach.
As of late the Hawks had advertised their boat for sale and sold it in mid
November. The buyer of the boat has been contacted and is cooperating
with Newport Beach Police Detectives. The Hawks also own a 1998 Silver
Honda CRV with Arizona license plates of 774CPE and could be traveling in
that vehicle. While the Hawks could be traveling anywhere, they would
likely be traveling between Newport Beach, Arizona and Mexico.

The Hawks last spoke with family members on or about November 15, 2004 and
had no known Thanksgiving plans. Detectives have no specific facts to
indicate there is foul play involved but the family told Detectives it is
unlikely the Hawks would go this long without being in touch with them by
telephone. Detectives are interested in verifying that the Hawks' are
safe so they would like information from anyone who can confirm this
information or who have seen them in the last few weeks.

Photographs of the couple are available and attached to this News Release
for reference if received by e-mail. Photographs can also be viewed at
the NBPD web site at www.NBPD.org <http://www.NBPD.org(click on Press
Releases). Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of the
couple are asked to contact Newport Beach Police Department Detectives at
1-800-550-NBPD or 1-800-550-6273.

[WF7I]

Sounds scary. There was a story some time back of a ham who was murdered down in Mexico by some bandits. Let's hope that this was not the fate of this couple.

[n9kpn]

How about an AMBER alert or is that only for kids?

[WA6JKH]

I posted the message regarding the Hawks as requested by the local Police Department, to help them get more eyes and ears on the search. The fact that the Hawks are Ham operators simply opens additional possibilities for hearing them should they have radios. Hence the post.

The information and photos were also shown and discussed on local TV news broadcasts here in the LA/Orange County area.

RACES and police officials discussed whether ham radio bullletin boards would be a truly appropriate place for a missing person bulletin, but the fact that the Hawks are both Ham operators made it seem like a logical forum. RACES radio operators also contacted many of the maritime mobile nets, even though the Hawks don't have a boat right now. This on the odd chance that they would drive to some of the places they visited in their boat.

The police department is trying to cover all the bases. They are to be commended for broadening their use of RACES personnel. The new RACES supervisors in the PD are committed to utilizing radio operators in this situation, and many others.

As for what anyone of you can do, I'd say you can spread the word about the couple, and be on the lookout for their license plate when driving, and their Call Signs on air.

Rick
WA6JKH

[AA7BQ]

Many of you are probably wondering what happened to about 20+ posts on this topic.

I deleted them.

Please don't take it personally. Not all of the comments were bad, but as a whole it became an ugly mess.

This is a hard news article about missing persons. Some of the comments that I saw went so far off base that it was starting to make me roll my eyes in disgust.

Let's start this over. If you have something constructive to contribute to this discussion, or about locating missing people in general, then be our guest and share them with us here.

On the other hand, please redirect your opinions about the misuse and/or decline of ham radio, the alledged complicity of the subjects, etc., over to the Talk and Opinions forum.

Thanks,

-fred AA7BQ

[n0ov]

Thanks Fred

I was beginning to wonder if anyone actualy read the original post.

[na4it]

God bless you Fred!

And we are praying for the safe return of this couple!

[KC0NPF]

Thank you sincerely, I realize my post only added to the argument.

KC0NPF will still be listening for any news and I'll do anything I can

73,

KC0NPF, BJ

[W0LC]

I will also listen to see if there is any news, updates, etc., and post them if it doesn't get on here ahead of me.

haven't heard of any follow up to this story to date.

I hope there is a simple explanation and not something tradgic.

[n2ljd]

Is there any information available on whether or not these folks frequented any nets, i.e. local VHF traffic or SKYWARN nets, maritime nets, CW practice nets, other? #If so, could help by talking to net managers and seeing if/when they last checked into the net(s).

[w0nwa]

Would be nice if we can some how link Amber Alerts
to IRLP Nodes. This way they broadcast as soon as they were put out over ham radio.

[g0ery]

I tried posting a reply yesterday to this and it didn't make it? Not sure why. So lets try again.

One of our club members works for the NBPD and he invited one of the officers who is investigating this to join us on our weekly 2M club net to answer questions.

The Hawks sold their boat about 9 weeks ago and we found out yesterday that they left their HF equipment on board so we don't expect to be able to contact them on any of the maritime nets that they used.

The police are now concentrating on finding the missing car - "a 1998 Silver Honda CRV with Arizona license plates of 774CPE".

We've informed AR Newsline, the ARRL, the maritime nets, clubs & repeaters owne in our area and on the Mexican border, users of Mexican repeaters on Echolink and just about everyone we can think of.

Richard
K6RBS & G0ERY

[K7JBQ]

Here's the latest info from today's Orange County Register:

http://www.ocregister.com/ocr....793.php (http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2004/12/09/sections/local/local_web_extra/article_337793.php)

73,
Bill

[k0imj]

Please keep us posted on this. I check here everyday to see if they have been found.
73 Gary KØIMJ

[w2wp]

Thanks Fred for cleaning this one up.

[n9vo]

Anyway to give the gist of the news without having to go to: http://www.ocregister.com/ocr....793.php.
That site requires registration which I'm sure would result in an great increase of emails to my inbox. I do hope that all works out in this situation.

[K7JBQ]

VO,

The gist is that the local police department, and the family, are taking this very seriously. No calls to the family (highly unusual) and no activity on their credit cards.

73,
Bill

[N6PSK]

Thanks for your update. Although I am not an active ham, I have been involved in RACES in the past. Tom Hawks was a childhood friend from Chino where his family owned a corn farm. I used to spend weekends with them and drive tractor in the fields while Tom, his brother Jim, and father Charlie picked. They owned the farm and "Charlie's Sweet Corn" stand on the S/E corner of Walnut and Euclid Aves. in what was then the unincorporated area of eastern Chino and south Ontario. I lost track of the Hawks after Tom's first wedding in the early 70's. He was a great athlete and all around nice guy. He and I were stationed in the midwest about the same time in the late 60's He was Airforce (I think at Minot) and I was Navy at NAS Twin Cities. We would write to each other and gripe about missing the beach. I have thought of him often, but since returning to SoCal in the 80's had lost track of him. What a surprise to hear his name on KFI as missing. After I brought up his picture on your website I was saddened to think that something, as some of you have speculated, might have happened to him and his wife. As a very old friend of the family, thanks for your spreading the news. Derrrell (Duffy) Snider N6PSK- Lake Arrowherad,CA

[ky1v]

Perhaps the police should focus more closely on the "cooperating" purchaser of the boat.

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't leave my HF equipment in a boat that I sold to a non ham.

I suspect there is either a link to foul play there or an insurance scandal about to take place.

David ~ KY1V

[KB1KIX]

This is starting to get national exposure now - at least on radio. Just heard on AP Network News on a local station here in CT about this case.

Hopefully it helps.

Jonathan

[wa6itf]

On Tuesday, the 7th of December, we were contacted by Richard Saunders, K6RBS, and later by the cdetectives working the case by the NBPD. Both felt that getting the word out to the nationwide ham community was essential so we are running the item as our lead story on the current ARNewsline™ report. You can hear it at http://www.arnewsline.org/quincy/ . I have also assigned one of our reporters to follow this matter and do updates as information becomes available. If you have anything factual to report, please contact the NBPD as explained in the first post to this topic and in our newscast. Meantime, keep the Hawkes in your prayers.

de
Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF
Amateur Radio Newsline

[k6pij]

This story was on the CBS Early Show on 12/13 so it is starting to get more nation wide coverage. They did not have much more information other than what is posted here. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[W0LC]

Is this also on ARRL's website? I don't recall seeing this posted on ARRL's webpage.

[g0ery]

I called the ARRL and emailed them about this last week. If its not there, I don't know why.

Latest press release is attached.

[WD5CAY]

It might be helpful if KD7VWJ (Thomas) and KD&VWK (Jackies) usual operating frequencies were listed if known.

[w6nki]

I work at the U.S./Mexico border and had Customs check their license plate readers from November 10th to today. The Arizona plate 774CPE has not registered going south into Mexico at either the San Ysidro or Otay Mesa ports of entry (San Diego area). Of course, the plates may have been changed or removed. Does the car have Lojack or GPS?

[g0ery]

Quote[/b] (w6nki @ Dec. 13 2004,21:10)]I work at the U.S./Mexico border and had Customs check their license plate readers from November 10th to today. #The Arizona plate 774CPE has not registered going south into Mexico at either the San Ysidro or Otay Mesa ports of entry (San Diego area). #Of course, the plates may have been changed or removed. Does the car have Lojack or GPS?
I passed your info on. Thanks.

The car does not have Lojack.

The car has been kept outside in the california sun for 7 years and is showing its age.

[w1plm]

This information has been sent to all law enforcement via teletype today.
I believe this is the second time the national BOLO has been sent out.

[VA7CMZ]

Another Amateur is missing his call is VE7GBD. His name is Geoff Dickhut and he is a member of KARC (Kamloops Amateur Radio club). Chris (VA7CMZ) will possibly set up a site (and link it to his CALL SIGN LOOKUP) or post a photo on his CALL SIGN LOOK UP.

Thank-you in advance and 73,
Chris

[g0ery]

The police believe that finding the car is the key to finding them - a 1998 Silver Honda CRV with Arizona license plates of 774CPE.

The last 6 numbers on the VIN are 083147

[AF6HA]

Scott,

Roger on your point of being a needle in a haystack - but sort of like the Amber Alert, the more people that are aware of who is missing, the better the odds are (even if only slight) of someone possibly spotting them. No effort expended on a search for lost or missing individuals is ever a waste of effort - even if just for peace of mind of those close to those missing. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

73,

Ken

p.s. Ever SCUBA in Japan?

[n9lya]

Is it possible they do not want to be found..??

Does anyone know them to the extent that they would know their character and be able to say .. Just up and leaving was not a posibility??


Just a question???


73 Jerry n9lya

[k6spq]

According to this mornings local news (www.KFWB.com under local headlines) the car has been found in Ensenada,Mexico in the possession of one of the locals but no trace of the couple has been found. No further details were released. #Also the person who bought the yacht has been arrested on non-related charges. It seems the transaction was paid for with illegal funds and is being further investigated for money laundering.

[WF7I]

Sounds like these guys are probably gonners. It's too bad. Seems like the 2nd or 3rd case like this with hams vanishing in Mexico over the last year.

[g0ery]

Here is the latest press release...

[W8BRI]

National news media are reporting this evening that a arrest has been made in this case, The buyer of the couples 400+K boat has been arrested in Southern California and the couples vehicle has been located in Mexico. Foul play is strongly suggested.

[WF7I]

I heard on the local Tucson news yesterday that the buyer of the boat is in custody. Apparently, he used to be a child actor for the TV show "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" as well.

[WB6BFG]

Here in Southern California, the San Diego Union newspaper ran an article today (12-24-04) about this couple. Still no answers as to their whereabouts...

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041224/news_1m24missing.html

[wa6itf]

Here is a wrap up of the latest information on the Hawkes disappearance. We (ARNewsline) will do our best to keep this story in the public eye in the hope that the couple will be found safe.

de
Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF
Editor, Etc. - ARNewsline™

-----------------------------------

Amateur Radio Newsline™ Report 1428 – December 24, 2004

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1428 with a release date of Friday, December 24th, 2004 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T.

The mystery of the missing Arizona ham radio couple continues and another illegal high power cordless phone is taken off the air in Philadelphia. These stories and more on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1428 coming your way right now.


(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RADIO MYSTERY: HAM COUPLE STILL MISSING - VEHICLE FOUND

The mystery deepens as to the whereabouts of Thomas Hawks, KD7VWJ, and his wife Jackie, KD7VWK. This with the finding of their missing Honda CR-V south of the border after checks with crossing guards showed that it had never legally entered Mexico. And now the man who bought the Hawkes' boat has been arrested on money laundering charges. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has more:

--


A 25-year-old Long Beach, California man who purchased a yacht from a pair of Arizona ham radio operators who vanished soon afterward was arrested Friday, December 17th for investigation of money laundering. According to police spokesman Steve Schulman, Skylar Julius Deleon paid more than $400,000 in cash for the vessel that authorities allege that he obtained from unspecified illegal activities.


Police said Deleon bought the 55-foot yacht named "Well Deserved" from the Hawks. After closing the deal, Thomas Hawks planned to return to the craft, moored at Newport Harbor, to retrieve his fishing and scuba gear. News accounts say that he never showed up.


Deleon was arrested at at his Long Beach home and was jailed in lieu of $250,000. He claims that he had nothing to do with the Hawkes disappearance. Police say that the couple's credit and bank cards have not been used since their disappearance just before Thanksgiving.


Another interesting turn in the case came on Thursday, December 16th when the Hawkes missing 1999 Honda C-R-V was recovered Ensenada, Mexico. How the car got there is a mystery in itself. As reported here on Newsline last week, one ham who works at the U.S./Mexico border had Customs check the license plate readers from November 10th through to the December 13th. He reports via the QRZed dot com website that Arizona plate matching the Hawkes vehicle had registered as going south into Mexico at either the San Ysidro or Otay Mesa ports of entry. Both of these are in the San Diego, California area.


Detective Shulman says that Newport Beach police have taken possession of the couple's car and are searching it for evidence. Police said the vehicle was in the possession of an Ensenada resident when it was recovered, but provided no other details. And as we go to air, the whereabouts of Thomas Hawks, KD7VWJ, and his wife Jackie, KD7VWK, remain unknown.


For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.

--

Newport Beach police said Mexican state authorities and the California Highway Patrol's Mexican Liaison Unit were instrumental in assisting detectives with interviews, and in seizing the Hawks' vehicle. More on this story in future Amateur Radio Newsline reports. (ARNewsline™ from published news reports.)

[KT3K]

Tom and Jackie are good friends. I was shocked to see this on FOX news. My wife and I spent time with them on their boat Well Deserved where we lived down in Mexico, about 600 miles south of San Diego along the Sea of Cortez. They are really nice people, just having fun. It's easy to run into trouble in the Baja. We're hoping the best for them. I've posted messages on internet forums in Mexico and in the Baja, as well as contacted the Coast Guard Net and my HAM radio Op friends who live on the Baja Peninsula, XE2's.
Hopefully they'll turn up pronto.

Your friend in Liberty,
John

[N9CJT]

No posts since Dec. 26 and I can't get search engines to find any subsequent news. Does anyone know what the status is on the Hawkes?

[KG6QCI]

Yes,
I have news. I'm non sworn with NBPD. The Hawks case has not been forgoten by the detetives of NBPD. Lead Det. Dave White is working over time on the case as are others.
ALL LEADS are being checked and rechecked, this takes time as they are working a case that covers another state and another country.
To the outsider it looks like its come to a stand still. Not true, Dave is practicly living in the office, I don't know how much more fast food he can eat befor he drops over but he remains sted fast in his endeavor to get to the bottem of this.
As is the policy of the dept., no comment on the findings or direction of the case become public untill the facts are proven true and correct. As soon as a press release comes from the Dept.? You will see it here.

Dave

[w7fsq]

Anyone have new information on missing couple.


w7fsq
www.bwmrc.com

[kc4zpl]

I do not know Jackie or Tom,but have been watching daily for info on their status.My heart goes out to their families and friends who must be having an awful time trying to get thru this investigation/search.

[KG6QCI]

I have Sad News:
As I said I would write when the Police of Newport Beach had new info.

In a suprise move when Skylar J. Deleon appered in court yesterday (Friday) on an unrelated charge.
Orange county prosecutor made the statement that it is believed #Skylar killed the Hawks.

The state stoped short of charging Deleon with murder.

Matt Murphy described him as "the main suspect in a double homicide out of Newport Beach"

The prosecutor also revealed that Deleon, 25, is suspected of committing another murder in 2003.

Murphy said he suspects that Deleon commited the crime after they took him on a test ride on their boat.

The story can be found in the Los Angeles Times in the
www.latimes.com/california

Sorry for the sad news.
Dave Seroski KG6QCI

[kd0jbn]

Saw this today on CNN's web page

Headline - Woman guilty of killing couple for their yacht

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/11/18/yacht.killings.ap/index.html