CA - Jurgen Knemeyer, 56, Mendocino County, 8 August 1999

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Jrgen "Yo" Knemeyer
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Case # 99-2653

Date of birth: 15 October 1942
Place of birth: Germany
SSN: In my files
White male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 185 pounds, gray hair, hazel eyes

Jurgen became a naturalized American citizen in 1960 or 1961. He seems to have been raised in Yellow Springs; there is still a real estate listing showing his residence there. This listing also calculates his present age, as though he still lives. (Address in my files.)

Jurgen was present in northern California as early as 15 August 1969. At 11:25 PM that day, he was one of the drivers involved in a multi-car collision on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, suffering minor burns. His address then was given as Gualala, CA, in Mendocino County.

By the time of his murder in 1999, Jurgen had lived in the vicinity of Willits CA for about 20 years. Little known despite his long residence, his neighbors had the impression he was "grandfatherly". At the time of his death, he lived on Hilltop Road in an unincorporated suburb of Willits called Pine Mountain. The neighbors did note a steady stream of short-term visitors to the property Jurgen was caretaking--a characteristic of illegal drug dealing.

A neighbor first noted a light on in Knemeyer's home at 3 AM on 14 August 1999. The light was visible through an open door. Later that morning, the neighbor approached Jurgen's home and called for him, but received no reply. A welfare check was then called for; deputies responded at 12:30 PM. Jurgen was found dead in his bedroom; he had died from upper body trauma.

The deputies found two Willits residents tending illegal marijuana on the property, and took them into custody for parole violations. They were held on no bail; the Sheriff refused to comment on whether they were suspected of the homicide.

Investigation established that a family member had last heard from Jurgen at about 9:30 PM on 12 August 1999. Knemeyer was then believed to have been killed between then and 3 AM on the 13th.

In early 2000, Knemeyer's relatives raised the reward offered in his case to $5,000.

On 5 March 2006, MCSO disclosed that Jurgen had been beaten to death. For some reason, they emended his date of death to 8 August 1999.

Information concerning this active homicide case may be called in to the Mendocino County Sheriff'sOffice Tipline at 707-234-2100. Their Investigative Services Bureau may be emailed at barneys@co.mendocino.ca.us.The Sheriff's Office can also be reached at 951 Low Gap Road, Ukiah,CA 95482.

Sources:

findagrave website, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=97520435.

Pipl website, https://pipl.com/search/?q=Jurgen+Knemeyer&l=Willits,+CA,+US&sloc=US|CA|Willits&fage=&savef=1&in=46.

sysoon website: https://www.sysoon.com/deceased/jurgen-knemeyer-36.

San Rafael Daily Independent Journal, 16 August 1969, https://www.newspapers.com/image/81666073/?terms=knemeyer.

Ukiah Daily Journal, 16 August 1999, https://www.newspapers.com/image/502550/?terms=knemeyer,

20 August 1999, https://www.newspapers.com/image/503776/?terms=knemeyer,https://www.newspapers.com/image/503639/?terms=knemeyer,

1 September 1999, https://www.newspapers.com/image/483056/?terms=knemeyer,and Ukiah Daily Journal, 1 September 1999,

5 March 2006, https://www.newspapers.com/image/386626/?terms=Knemeyer

MCSO website, http://www.mendocinosheriff.com/missing/coldcases.html.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/483203/?terms=knemeyer.
 
I've been poking about trying to trace Jurgen's life. I discovered he has relatives. Time to try contacting them for information.
 
Despite the similar titles, the articles do differ from one another.
 

Jurgen "Yo" Knemeyer​

Jurgen Knemeyer

On August 14, 1999 at 1230 hours a Deputy from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to Jurgen Knemyer's Willits home (Hill Top Road) in regards to a welfare check. A neighbor had reported seeing the back door to Jurgen Knemeyer's home open with the interior lights being on since 0300 hours in the morning.

Upon entering into the residence, the Deputy located Jurgen Knemeyer deceased from injuries obviously associated with a homicide.

During investigations Detectives learned a family member had last spoken with Jurgen Knemeyer on 08-12-1999 at 2130 hours. At this time it is unclear the motive for the homicide but growing marijuana was located at Jurgen Knemeyer's home during the processing of the crime scene.

Anyone with information in regards to the murder of Jurgen Knemeyer is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office Tip-Line by calling 707-234-2100.
  • Age at time of murder: 56 years old
  • Height: 5 feet 9 inches tall
  • Weight: 185 lbs.
  • Hair: Gray
  • Eyes: Hazel
  • MCSO Case#: 99-2653
  • Date of last contact: August 12, 1999
 

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