Although I am a big true crime buff, I don't think my best writing lies in that direction. I have a few pet cases I have strong opinions on that I write about, but that's about it.
One of the most heartbreaking things I can imagine is to have a loved one go missing and not know anything about it. Like they just vanished into thin air. I also have a strange fascination with these cases and how some of them receive so much media coverage and some receive so little.
With that said, I have decided from time to time to spotlight one of cases that seems to be under the media radar.
John Gilboe is 62 years old, six feet one inch tall and weighed about 300 pounds. He lives in Hamburg, Michigan.
On January 31, 2005, his vehicle slid off the road in Green Oak Township (the neighboring township) near the M-36 interchange on U.S. 23. If I remember correctly, the weather was pretty bad that day.
Mr. Gilboe was last seen walking away from his car.
He's not been seen nor heard from again.
It was discovered he was missing when he had failed to contact his sister, whom he was close to, for some time. Mr. Gilboe is retired and lives alone.
Local hospitals were checked as well as his favorite hangouts, such as the Hamburg Pub. The local LE did a tremendous job searching using the Michigan State Police K-9 unit, the Livingston County Sheriff Department's mounted patrol, the Green Oak Township and Hamburg Township Police assisted in the search as well as officers from Kensington Metro Park, which is nearby. The State Police even called in their Aviation unit for an air search.
All to no avail. Not a trace of him.
If you have any information regarding John Gilboe, please call the Green Oak Township Police at (810) 231-9626.
Of Note: The only other unresolved missing person case in Livingston County at this time according to the local news is that of Paige Renkoski.
my math teacher has the name john gilboe
Posted by: drew | November 07, 2005 at 05:56 PM
Lisa: do you know if Mr. Gilboe was ever located? I'd appreciate if you could let me know. I posted him on a missing persons site after reading your blog. I can not find any info on him. Would appreciate an update if you have one. Thanks!
Posted by: Denise | June 03, 2006 at 10:21 PM
I was just thinking about John Gilbo's disappearance today, when I ran across the article from March 27 2005. He had just recently retired from the former Ypsilanti Ford Plant.
It must be very very difficult when a loved one just vanishes... my thoughts and prayers to his family.
Posted by: Barbara Brodie | June 06, 2006 at 01:34 PM