Mark Jackson

[Doyle]

Ten days ago Mark Jackson vanished.

His parents, baffled by his disappearance, drove from their Nashville home to meet with Fort Lauderdale detectives over the weekend.

Charles and Libby Jackson say leaving without contacting someone is out of character for their only child: They are a close-knit family and heard from Jackson often.

Jackson, they said, was known for being responsible. He never missed work without calling. And he was supposed to close on a new condominium June 28. It was an investment for him, his father said.

''We don't know what to think,'' said Charles Jackson. ``We are frustrated and sick. We're just don't know what happened.''

The 35-year-old Fort Lauderdale marketing executive had spent the evening of June 26 visiting with an out-of-town friend.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/9086226.htm?1c

[Jade]

From the article quote: Jackson's friend woke around 11 a.m. and found Jackson gone, his cellphone, some keys and his new BMW left behind.

The friend left the apartment around 4 p.m. and flew back home to North Carolina.

Jackson missed work and an alarm went out among his friends. They contacted his parents who filed a missing- person's report. end quote


Seems kind of strange that the house guest does not raise an alarm
over the absence of his friend.

Has anyone in the Fort Lauderdale area heard anything else?

I’ll be praying for strength for his family. I also have an only child
also and can imagine how devastating this must be for them.

[englishleigh]

This is awful and very odd.

Not being derogatory or bashing in ANY way....but is/was he gay? It sort of sounds like it could be possible. And if so...I wonder if that has any bearing on his going missing??

[Jade]

This is awful and very odd.

Not being derogatory or bashing in ANY way....but is/was he gay? It sort of sounds like it could be possible. And if so...I wonder if that has any bearing on his going missing??

I also wondered if that may be the case.

[lynie]

Going missing could apply to either sexual preference....

I had a friend from college who would come and stay the weekend with me often. When we would go out and hit the town, at times we would become seperated, but both being grown ups, would take care of ourselves.

I also at times would go off on my own...I remember house sitting for a week and I did not let my mom know...I was like 27 years old and lived 400 miles away. She was worried for a bit!

The concerning issue here is that his personal property was still at home, and why would he voluntarily leave with the good things happening in his life!

[PolkSaladAnnie]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-71ftemissing,0,1240983.story?coll=sfla-news-broward

Includes video of Jackson entering his apartment!

Police on Wednesday released surveillance video of Jackson entering his building around 4:15 am June 26, the day he was last seen. There is no video of him leaving the building.

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

Very strange, indeed, albeit there is not much news coverage on this case!

Consider the following setting:

As reported: a decent, reputable, responsible, hard-working and ostensibly 'clean-cut' male adult vanishes around 5:00 am on a Saturday morning, 2 weeks ago. The story leads us to believe the disappearance happened at the same condo that Jackson had recently purchased, or was in the midst of purchasing, as an investment. So here we see Mark as a fairly intelligent, average adult male, planning his life in a similar vein that many of us would (at a guess) aspire to.

He's 'so punctual, he calls up if he's three minutes late' (as quoted in media releases). Yet, out of the blue, there's literally no sign or trace of him ~ with absolutely no prior warning or indication of going 'awol'.

However: an out-of-town friend arrives and the 2 (we presume only 2 at this stage) plan to meet up. This is where I believe a serious 'kink' exists in the tale.

For an 'out-of-town' friend to come by, obviously previous correspondence or communication had taken place. Perhaps the friend was banking on Mark Jackson for accommodation ~ as well as rejuvenating the 'friendship.' That tells us the friend did not have a regular day-to-day relationship with Mark, or know his exact schedule, habits, friends, etc (hypothetically, yet logically, speaking, that is).

Which begs the question, if you put yourself in the same shoes:

WHY, if you've come from out of town, would you meet up with this old friend and then consider it QUITE OKAY to simply continue with your own agenda, and leave town as if nothing was 'wrong'. Especially knowing nothing was amiss, not the keys, cell-phone, car ~ personal belongings, etc??

This means the last time you saw your good friend was at the odd hour of 5 am, following a night on the town, so to speak. So, knowing your trusted friend (who has also put you up for the night) appears to have literally vanished off the face of the building, would you just pack up and go and not try to find out what was going on???

What's more .... if you really were such a good friend, wouldn't you also recognize Mark's qualities as a punctual, responsible, reliable, trustworthy person? I think the friend requires a HUGE hook in the collar of his shirt and needs to be yanked RIGHT BACK to Ft Lauderdale, post haste!

Even MORE curious: THERE'S NO VIDEO OF HIM LEAVING? What's up with that? I mean Heaven forbid, but ... did he leave in the friend's suitcase, or whaaat? :eek: :eek:

It's highly unlikely that he's hiding in the air conditioning system. And it's seemingly impossible to have closed circuit TV of Mark entering the building, (he then disappears), and there's no video footage of him leaving? He's either in the building or has been sneaked/snuk (?) out.

Any guesses?

[englishleigh]

Going missing could apply to either sexual preference....

I had a friend from college who would come and stay the weekend with me often. When we would go out and hit the town, at times we would become seperated, but both being grown ups, would take care of ourselves.

I also at times would go off on my own...I remember house sitting for a week and I did not let my mom know...I was like 27 years old and lived 400 miles away. She was worried for a bit!

The concerning issue here is that his personal property was still at home, and why would he voluntarily leave with the good things happening in his life!

Oh, I realize that, but I was wondering if he was gay, and maybe he and his friend had some sort of lover's tiff that led to murder...that's what I was thinking. I wasn't trying to be derogatory or nasty. I fully agree that either sexual preference can go missing...:doh:

[englishleigh]

Polk Salad Annie....I wonder if he's been killed and stuffed somewhere in the building...but then one would think there would have been odor issues. I agree, the friend is suspicious. I would hope they have already jerked this guy back to Ft.Lauderdale by now...he was obviously the last one to see him alive. Is there video of the friend leaving?

[ShowerSinger]

Yes, he is gay, and he and his friend went to a local gay club before he went missing. Police say the friend is not a suspect. The friend says he awoke, and Mark was not there. He said he did leave a note. So, who knows. He was also an avid runner. Maybe he went for a run? By the way, the surveillance camera stopped working, thus no picture of him leaving.

[PolkSaladAnnie]

Yes, he is gay, and he and his friend went to a local gay club before he went missing. Police say the friend is not a suspect. The friend says he awoke, and Mark was not there. He said he did leave a note. So, who knows. He was also an avid runner. Maybe he went for a run? By the way, the surveillance camera stopped working, thus no picture of him leaving.

Thanks ShowerSinger, for the update and clarification ~ especially regarding the defunct surveillance camera, (although ... I must say, it's pretty eerie the camera stopped working a short time after capturing Mark entering the building).

Hi englishleigh: ShowerSinger's latest info seems to clear the friend. However, I still find it a little strange that the friend simply carried on his agenda seemingly unperturbed by this peculiar situation. Perhaps I'm different, but if I'd come from out of town and stayed over at a friend's apartment, I'd have at least waited until he or she returned. If time was pressing, I'd have made some phone calls, checked around with friends/neighbors ... or done SOMETHING.

There's no way I could simply 'go home', especially if his car (etc) was still there. If he'd gone for a run (or something similar), I'd have given it, say 1 and half (MAX 2) hours before getting rather concerned. But then again, it takes all types, I s'pose.

I feel for his parents, family, friends and colleagues ~ clearly a good and trusted friend/colleague. Another thought for the prayer-chain. Oh dear ... statistics are giving me a rather ominous feeling... we can only hope... :(

[dannyodie]

kinda strange I think that the camera stopped working. wonder if someone did something to it to make it stop working.

[ShowerSinger]

I also heard he hadn't been out "clubbing," in a while, but called a friend who works at the club to get his name on the list, so he wouldn't have to pay a cover charge that night. Would like to know what was in the note he left behind for his friend. It seems his wallet and keys are missing, but he left behind his building access card, and cell phone. The camera is outside, and yes, really strange that it quit sometime after 4:15 am. There is a river, and a bridge about a block away from his condo. He just bought a new BMW, and was gonna close on some investment property. Still, hope he didn't do himself in. The poor parents, sick with worry...Maybe there's something to why the camera stopped...Also, there is a nighttime security guard...but, he probably left around the time they rolled in. Oh, and the his lights and television were left on.

[PolkSaladAnnie]

kinda strange I think that the camera stopped working. wonder if someone did something to it to make it stop working.

Zackly what I was wondering, dannyodie. Does seem rather suspicious! D'you think the security know more than they're saying?

ShowerSinger ... yes, I read those write ups, too, and that's why this is all so very strange! Especially the building access card being left behind. With his c/cards, car keys and wallet, etc still in his apartment, he couldn't have been robbed, could he?

Was it comething to do with drugs? I've never experimented with drugs (OK ~ I puffed a giggle-stick literally once or twice in my youth) but am old enough and weathered enough to understand they destroy and devastate lives.

*IF* Mark had consumed some form of narcotics (obliviously or not), I might understand he temporarily lost his marbles and 'drifted off' with no care in the world. But then ... once the effects wore off, he'd have returned home. Again, he doesn't exactly come across as "an addict" type ~ he might be an occasional dabbler, who knows? Hope not, but as DeputyLinda reminds us: the majority of crimes are drug-related! :(

Or ~ was there a jealous rival in the background opposed to the idea of an 'an out of town friend' staying over? This is a very wierd situation. Two weeks without a trace? Nope, doesn't sound very good at ALL!

I wonder ...

[Jade]

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2004/7-9/news/localnews/vanish.cfm
Gary Santos, manager of the Coliseum, said Jackson was an
acquaintance of his who frequented the nightclub.

“He used to go to the club a lot,” Santos said. “But I hadn’t seen
him in a long time. But I saw him that night and I told him, ‘Hey, I
haven’t seen you in a while.’

“He said, ‘I haven’t been going out.’”

Wonder why he hasn’t been going out? Maybe had a steady?

Sure would like to know what the note said. Maybe someone
wanted to meet for coffee?

The videotape is heartbreaking – he looks and moves like a
friend of mine who is competent, assured, reliable, a great
considerate friend, thoughtful and loving with his parents.

[KRD1969]

Mark Jackson is a friend of mine. I received an email from him just a few days before he disapeared. Everything seemed to be going really great for him. He had just met this new guy in Pensacola, Memorial Weekend, and was coming to see him that weekend. I had emailed him back twice and called but did not hear back from him. The detective then called me the next week to tell me he was missing. I live in Pittsburgh, so I did not hear the news. This is all very crazy. Mark is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and very responsible.

[amandab]

KRD - I feel for you, and pray that Mark turns up unharmed. Do you know if the "new guy" has been investigated yet?

[KRD1969]

The detective said that he had already questioned him. The reports say that he is not a suspect but they usually always say that until they have something definite on them. I don't know what all this guy has told the detective but I think he probably knows more than he is telling.

[Jade]

KRD1969,
My prayers will continue for Mark, his parents and his friends. Thanks for the update.
Any thoughts on Mark's houseguest?

[Ghostwheel]

Regarding the guest: If Mark's car keys and car were still there, and the cell phone, and the friend had already said he was heading out at a certain time, the friend might have just assumed the evening didn't go off as well as he had hoped, and that Mark was trying to be considerate by not being there. Or the friend might have overslept, was late for his plane, left the note figuring Mark was out running, wherever, and left. While I find the behavior a little odd, I don't find it completely out of the ordinary.

The security camera going out is a red flag, though, unless it does that on a regular basis.

I wonder what the note Mark left behind said. Might have said he had an errand to run, and don't wait for him.

[KRD1969]

As a friend and knowing Mark, my first instinct is to think the houseguest had something to do with it. But I do not know what the note said and I don't know marks house guest so I cannot say. I believe Mark was a pretty good judge of character so I don't believe he would get involved with anyone shady. And since the house guest did not know Mark that well I have to give him the benefit as to why he would not be alerted to Mark just up and leaving.
Who knows, maybe they had a fight or they just were not getting along. They had been out clubbing, maybe they were a little drunk. Believe me, I have done nothing but think of every scenerio that could have happened. Since I found out he was missing that has been pretty much all I have thought about.

[Jade]

You make really good points about the guest Ghostwheel.

I also agree that the camera problem is fishy. Wonder if it usually worked or if it was known to have problems.

Everything just looked so normal in the surveillance video but it was just a snippet.

Got busy today but I will google in the morning to see if the local newspapers have anything new.

[amandab]

Bumping for Mark - has anyone heard anything new on this?

[KRD1969]

Well, it has been over a month now that Mark is missing. There is no more coverage of his case. I guess people have lost interest in it. I check two or three times a day to see if there is any new information but there is nothing. Some cases get so much coverage and others just don't. I guess there is just not enough scandal and intrigue or people just don't relate to a gay man like they do a young girl or pregnant woman who is missing.

[amandab]

Bumping for Mark - may he be found soon.....

[Ghostwheel]

Well, it has been over a month now that Mark is missing. There is no more coverage of his case. I guess people have lost interest in it. I check two or three times a day to see if there is any new information but there is nothing. Some cases get so much coverage and others just don't. I guess there is just not enough scandal and intrigue or people just don't relate to a gay man like they do a young girl or pregnant woman who is missing.There are several problems here. The man has been an independent person for many years, he didn't live with anyone who would be out there beating the bushes for him, and people don't want to be politically incorrect about the gay angle(out clubbing, new friend, etc). I thiink if anyone had the guts to play up the gay angle, even erroneously, it'd get a lot more coverage. They only love a story people will read. "Nice, middle aged man goes missing" isn't exciting. "Man disappears after taking home man he went night club hopping with at local gay clubs." is a lot more sensationalistic, if not misleading, and would get more attention. Then the real facts could come out. Sometimes it's how well you play the media.

I find that the cases that get the most coverage are not only young girls or pregnant women, but the ones with the families, friends, community that get out there and are vocal. That usually isn't true of missing men cases.

[amandab]

Does Mark have a website?

[KRD1969]

You are right Ghostwheel. I had not really thought about it that way. There has not been much information out there and what is out there is very non-descript. The only article I found that talked much about the out of town visitor and gay club was a gay periodical. If that whole angle was talked up, it might get more publicity. Maybe his parents did not want Marks personal business out there for everyone to see. They may be embarassed just for the fact that some of the articles did describe him as gay.

[KRD1969]

Does Mark have a website?
Not that I know of.

[amandab]

Personally, I'd rather have a gay son than a missing gay son.

[KRD1969]

Personally, I'd rather have a gay son than a missing gay son.
You just never know how people are though. I don't know his parents, so I don't know how they were with the whole gay thing. Its sad but some parents don't think the same way you do.

[amandab]

I know....it is sad. One of my very best friends happens to be a gay man, and his family has taken quite a closed-minded view of things. Almost as if they don't acknowledge it, it isn't true.

Breaks my heart. :-(

[amandab]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-jackson0805.story

I'm expecially glad that Mark's case is getting the attention it needs on AMW -praying that Mark is found soon.

[KRD1969]

Amanda,
Thanks so much for finding that article and posting it. It makes me feel so much better to see there is more coverage on this. It says that Americas Most Wanted is doing a piece on his disapearance. Maybe that will help.

[KRD1969]

Has anyone seen or heard of any new information on Mark?

[tuppence]

No but I think about this case alot. It seems so mysterious. I hope there's alot more going on behind the scenes to figure this out.

[amandab]

Bumping for Mark...I pray he is well.

-Amanda

[KRD1969]

Has anyone heard anything new regarding Mark and has anyone heard anymore about America's Most Wanted doing a story on him?

[amandab]

I checked the AMW website, and there isn't any info on Mark. :-( I did send them an e-mail asking for more information....I'll let you know what I hear from them.

[KRD1969]

I got a response from America's Most Wanted and they said that Mark's story is suppose to air on September 25. They said to check the website closer to the 25th just to make sure but that is the scheduled date as of right now. I sure hope that the national coverage will spark some interest in Mark's case and some new news will surface. I really dread hearing the news but there needs to be closure, especially for his family.

[amandab]

KRD1969 you have a PM from me.

[amandab]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/HelpForTheMissing/MarkDouglasJackson.jpg


Thanks so much Lanie!

[amandab]

http://missingmarkjackson.faithweb.com/

Please take a moment and look at his site.

Someone, somewhere, knows what happened to him.

Thank you so much.
-Amanda

[WasBlind]

Mark's printable flyer is now available.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/MissingProfiles/MarkDouglasJackson-Flyer.jpg

Please print and post in local businesses and anywhere you deem appropriate, and thanks.

With HOPE, Lanie
Help For The Missing
HelpForTheMissing@yahoo.com

*special thanks to Louise, Amanda, Kelly, and Andi*

[WasBlind]

Well, it has been over a month now that Mark is missing. There is no more coverage of his case. I guess people have lost interest in it. I check two or three times a day to see if there is any new information but there is nothing. Some cases get so much coverage and others just don't. I guess there is just not enough scandal and intrigue or people just don't relate to a gay man like they do a young girl or pregnant woman who is missing.

Thanks for this post, KRD. It's like pulling teeth to get attention for most adult cases, especially males, but in all fairness any child over a certain age is now discriminated against because LE believes they are a runaway. They have to have proof otherwise (case in point, Carlie Brucia). No Amber Alert was sounded until there was a video released of the abduction. *sigh*

Those who network these cases daily struggle to understand why some cases are latched onto by the media, and others completely ignored. I've never understood why some wish to discuss a case we can do nothing about, yet ignore those who might potentially be alive.

We fight to get them airtime and media of any sort.

We're fighting for your friend, Mark, and we will not stop until he is home.
Contact me if you wish. I'd be happy to hear from you.

With HOPE, Lanie
Help For The Missing
HelpForTheMissing@yahoo.com

Looking for those STILL missing, praying for justice for all harmed.

[KRD1969]

Thanks Lanie,
I appreciate everything you do. Marks story is suppose to be on AMW tonight 9/25/04. The website does not confirm it but someone from the website said that it was suppose to be scheduled to air. I guess unless something more interesting comes up. :(
Thanks again,
Kevin

[AuntieKaren]

Thanks Lanie,
I appreciate everything you do. Marks story is suppose to be on AMW tonight 9/25/04. The website does not confirm it but someone from the website said that it was suppose to be scheduled to air. I guess unless something more interesting comes up. :(
Thanks again,
Kevin

Kevin--
I am just now getting up to speed on information on your friend's disappearance and will watch AMW tonight. I pray that your friend is safe and unharmed.
Karen

[KRD1969]

Well, I watched AMW. I hope that his case now starts to get some more publicity. I assumed that drugs were going to be the focus. I do not believe that Mark had a major drug problem though. If Mark had a problem with Crystal Meth I don't believe he would have been as responsible and productive as he was. Drug use or dealing with people who were heavily involved in drugs though could have definetely been a factor. I think that maybe Mark could have gotten involved with the wrong people. I still believe Marks "new friend" is not telling the truth. I also do not believe for one second that after he and Mark had an argument that Mark would go out looking for sex that early in the morning. That is not Mark at all and is total speculation and stereotyping for him being gay. I know this friend is trying to defend his own reputation and I do not believe he is as innocent in the whole matter.

[Jenn]

I can not locate Mark's story on the AMW website and I missed it on Saturday. If someone can locate it, please post the link. I am very intersted in viewing it. Has the family created a website for Mark yet? I have not been able to find any info. on the web.

[KRD1969]

Jenn,
Here is the link to Americas Most Wanted website featuring Marks story.

http://www.amw.com/missing_persons/brief.cfm?id=27960


Kevin

[inquiringmindz]

Thank you for posting the link, Kevin. I hope Mark is found soon. He appears to be a very fun loving and kind person. Sending prayers for Marks safe return.

[Jenn]

Thank you for the link! So LE suspects that Mark never left the building. I believe this also. The only thing that is strange is the lack of evidence (or atleast evidence that LE is releasing.)

edited to note: I am assuming that the visiting friend is a person of interest. Has LE commented on this at all??

[KRD1969]

I believe LE is stating that the friend is not a suspect but I hear otherwise. I heard that one of his polygraph test was inconclusive. This could be all hear say. If this friend really did have nothing to do with it, what a terrible situation he got put in the middle of.

[Jeana (DP)]

He's a great looking guy. I hope they find something soon. I can't imagine anyone having an argument and running out looking for sex - at least not a normal rational person - and he seems to be just that. Drugs are prevalent in clubs, so its not uncommon for someone who doesn't normally do them to have a little taste now and again, but I don't see him being as productive as he was if drugs were a problem for him. Perhaps he didn't want to participate and something was put in a drink - wouldn't be the first time something like that happened.

[leogal]

Sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere but did anyone confirm that it was indeed Mark that wrote the note. Could the guest have written it and told LE that Mark did? Just curious. I'm also curious if LE have determined why the recording stopped? Tampered with?


My thoughts and prayers go out to Mark's family and friends.

[AuntieKaren]

I just checked out the AMW story and didn't see anything about drugs or going out to look for sex. Where did this information come from? Also, if LE believes that Mark never left the building, wouldn't that mean he's still somewhere in the building? Sorry, I'm not trying to sound sarcastic but what else could that statement imply? And if he never left the building, wouldn't his "friend" be a highly suspicious person? This is too wierd. :waitasec:
Karen

[Juliana]

I think it was the private investigator hired by AMW that said he never left the building, not any official LE. For what its worth...

[Jenn]

If Mark never left the building then we can only assume that a resident (or friend of a resident) of the complex would have be the only persons with access to the building. It would seem to me that if this is the theory that they are working on, then it would not be very hard to uncover suspects. Just check the alibis of every person with an access card for the hours that Mark became missing. Unfortunately, with the odd hours that it happened most folks would be in bed but I am sure that there are enough cameras in the complex that LE could verify who was, in fact, in their apartment in that particular time frame.

[KRD1969]

Karen,
On the actual airing of AMW they mentioned drugs that they found in the apartment. (Which the friend could have left there on purpose to look as though Mark was missing because he had a drug problem) Also, they showed a gay website and how easy it was to meet up with other guys any time of the day. That part was purely speculation on their part. Just because it is out there does not mean that because he is a gay man that he does that.
As far as the note goes, Im sure the poice checked it to match marks hand writing. We do not know what it said though. He could have wrote a note that he was going for a jog or something and then when he got back they could have had some sort of altercation. As far as him not leaving the building, I believe they thought that he could have gone to visit someone else in the building and then something happened to him.
Kevin

[Jade]

Mark looked so spic and span in the video it seems hard to believe that drugs played any kind of major role in his life. As far as hooking up with another guy early that morning, something tells me he would be too good a host to leave his guest except maybe to carry on with his regular morning routines [jogging or walking to the corner for a newspaper].

Whoever did this must be thanking their lucky stars for the hurricanes.

My heart is just broken for his parents. He is an only child and I also have one child…. to raise your child into a successful, respected adult and then this –it is just too much.

[AuntieKaren]

KRD--
Thank you for responding and clarifying for me. This is just so odd--I hope there is a resolution soon.
Karen

[Lakergirl123]

Since 1995, four gay men have been reported missing under similar circumstances from the Tampa / St. Pete area. I wonder if Mark's disappearance has any connection with these other guys. I don't know FL so I'm not sure how close Ft. Lauderdale is to St. Pete's.

See their website at:

http://www.findjasonnow.com/case.htm

[KRD1969]

Thanks Lakergirl,
Tampa and Fort Lauderdale are not real close but you never know if there is a connection or not. Im hoping that the detectives are checking into all angles of the case. One thing that I recently thought of is this. What if something happened to Mark at the condo and someone was able to get his body into the garbage dumpster. That just happened with the Lori Hacking case. Even though they new the husband put her body in the trash dumpster it took them so long to find her body. If they had not been searching in the trash dump, would she have ever turned up?
Kevin

[Lakergirl123]

Thanks Lakergirl,
Tampa and Fort Lauderdale are not real close but you never know if there is a connection or not. Im hoping that the detectives are checking into all angles of the case. One thing that I recently thought of is this. What if something happened to Mark at the condo and someone was able to get his body into the garbage dumpster. That just happened with the Lori Hacking case. Even though they new the husband put her body in the trash dumpster it took them so long to find her body. If they had not been searching in the trash dump, would she have ever turned up?
Kevin

You're right, Lori would never have been found if they hadn't spend months looking through the trash for her! The same could have easily happened with Mark. They said they saw him enter but not exit the building...

scary! Praying for Mark!

[lisag]

Sounds like a possibility to me...
What else could have happened, if they dont think he left the building ????

[KRD1969]

Here is another article about Mark and it gives the full name of the friend who was visiting.

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2004/9-17/news/localnews/mostwant.cfm

[englishleigh]

I think this friend, whom the article says was actually his love interest, is more of a suspect than ever, IMO. Victims are usually killed by their significant other, if there is one. Sounds like a lover's quarrel that went awry, esp. the part about one wanting more from the relationship than the other did. I think this man knows exactly what happened to Mark.

[Jeana (DP)]

FROM THE ARTICLE:

Depressed over lack of relationship
John Bass, a North Carolina resident, was visiting Jackson when he disappeared. Bass has told police that when he woke up on the morning of June 26, Jackson was gone.

Bass did not return a phone call inquiring about the night Jackson disappeared.

Curcio said Bass “is not a suspect because we haven’t been able to prove there’s a crime.” He said Bass had been interviewed and polygraphed several times.

But Curcio declined to say whether or not Bass had passed all the polygraph tests. Curcio noted that Bass has no criminal record.

Curcio confirmed that Jackson and Bass were dating.

“[Bass] didn’t want a long-term relationship, and Jackson did,” Curcio said.

According to Curcio, Jackson “had depression issues” and suffered from sleep disorders. He said Jackson had told friends that he was frustrated over his inability to establish a long-term relationship.

Jackson’s friends confirmed that he often expressed frustration over his inability to find a long-term boyfriend.

Curcio said Jackson used both club drugs and prescription medication for depression. He said 14 vials containing residue of crystal meth and GHB were found in Jackson’s apartment.


ME AGAIN:

Does anyone think that he could have gone out and been picked up by someone else? This guy (the visitor) had absolutely no reason to take lie detector tests unless he was trying to prove his innocence. I can't believe he'd do it if he were guilty and they had absolutely no evidence whatever.

[BethInAK]

FROM THE ARTICLE:


Does anyone think that he could have gone out and been picked up by someone else? This guy (the visitor) had absolutely no reason to take lie detector tests unless he was trying to prove his innocence. I can't believe he'd do it if he were guilty and they had absolutely no evidence whatever.

If Jackson was feeling badly that Bass didn't want a serious relationship, then he might have gone out because he was upset.

[amandab]

Bumping for Mark, and those who miss him.

-Amanda

[carolina]

i found this article today...while the cases probably arent related it is creepy and at least they are keeping mark's name out there!


http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pcjackson12nov12,0,4461372.story?coll=sfla-news-palm

[KRD1969]

That is really strange. The cases are so similiar but happened so far apart time wise from each other. Does anyone know if the other guys were ever found?

[weenluvinwoman]

Bump.

It's been too long, any new news?

[AuntieKaren]

Gosh, no news on this poor man's disappearance. It's like he just fell off the face of the earth. Someone has to know something. His poor parents. I hope there is a break soon.
Karen

[WasBlind]

Mark has now been added to the NCMA (http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200401751S)

His flyer can be downloaded here (http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/poster/ncmaindex.php?A200401751S)

With love and HOPE, Lanie

[Peabody]

To litterally vanish without a trace seems impossible. Sadly, just from websleuths we know it happens and SO OFTEN law enforcement does nothing to find our loved ones.

It does seem that Ft Lauderdale LE have pursued some leads. Let's pray that something new is brought to light by someone.
My heart aches for Mark's family.

[amandab]

Bumping for Mark; praying for him and his family.

[Chrystal Newman]

Has there been any new news in this poor mans case?

[WasBlind]

Has there been any new news in this poor mans case?

Sadly, no news at all.

Prayers for Mark, and those who search.

With love and HOPE, Lanie

[AuntieKaren]

Wow, still no news on this man. I really want to know what happened to him.
Karen

[Bobbisangel]

How can so many people just disappear and never be heard from again? I find it especially strange that Mark would leave his condo without taking his key so that he could get back in again. I guess if him and his friend had a argument he may have left in a huff or left to cool down but to leave everything behind?

Did they ever find out anything about the camera and why it wasn't working? That just sounds suspect to me. There must have been foul play as Mark doesn't seem like the kind of person to just take off....especially with no car, keys, wallet, etc. He might have been depressed but if he did something to himself he would have been found by now.

I wonder how long he had known his visitor and if they met over the internet.
My heart goes out to Mark's parents. I don't know how people survive a child missing and especially for this long. Such a sad situation.

[Pandora]

A thread has been started in "Crimes in the News" which made me think of Mark immediately.
http://websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22454

Prayers for Mark and his family....

[amandab]

Oh wow - that is disturbing. In Florida no less. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Mark's situation went something like this. Of course, I have no idea, but whenever someone like this pops up, I wonder if other missing persons cases are tied to him....

Prayers for information for families of the missing.....

[Pandora]

between these (alleged) killers and Mark Jackson's disappearance. It seems that one of them had an apartment near Mark's.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-scarrests28may28,0,2527577.story?coll=sfla-news-broward


May God be with Mark's family....

[JJJJaded]

That is no coincidence. I bet that guy did have something to do with it.....the one with the condo nearby.
Praying for the family.

JJJJ

[CaliKid]

How sick is this! It reminds me of Jeffrey Dahmer. I pray that Mark's family gets answers soon.

[inquiringmindz]

Thinking about Mark and wondering if there have been any new updates...

[amandab]

Bump - it's been so long without word......

[Bobbisangel]

It is sad that this case has never been resolved. I can't help but wonder why the new friend had to take more than one poly. One article that I read said the friend has taken polygraphs so he has taken more than one. If Mark's body went into a dumpster he will never be found. I wonder where the dumpsters were for that building. I also wonder if there was a camera for the door leading to the dumpsters. Mark's body obviously wasn't in the building anywhere or it would have been located. Strange that the camera stopped working after Mark entered the building. Either darn bad luck or someone messed with it.

Even though it was said that Mark had been depressed because he hadn't been able to maintain a lasting relationship that doesn't mean that he would have gotten into a relationship with just anyone just for the sake of having a steady person in his life. Maybe he had decided that his new friend wasn't the right person for him. I wonder what kind of work the new friend did...did he have money or was he looking for someone who did? I can see how Mark's
income...BMW...buying another condo for an investment, etc...could be a big draw for someone looking for a sugar daddy.

Hard to believe that LE hasn't been able to find any clues in this case. I guess they thought the "new friend" was in the clear. I hope they still don't think that a crime didn't take place just because they didn't find any evidence.