Disappearance of Jason Jolkowski

Jason Anthony Jolkowski (June 24, 1981 – disappeared June 13, 2001) is an American man from Omaha, Nebraska, who went missing while walking towards his former high school to meet a co-worker for a ride to work. In the aftermath of his disappearance, Jolkowski's parents successfully campaigned for "Jason's Law", a statewide database for missing people in Nebraska. As of 2023, Jolkowski's whereabouts remain unknown.

Jason Anthony Jolkowski
Born
Jason Anthony Jolkowski

June 24, 1981 (1981-06-24)
Grand Island, Nebraska, U.S.
DisappearedJune 13, 2001 (aged 19)
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
StatusMissing for 22 years, 4 months and 12 days
NationalityAmerican
Known forMissing person
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]

Background

Jason Jolkowski was born on June 24, 1981, in Grand Island, Nebraska.[2] At the time he disappeared, Jolkowski was living in his parents' home on 48th and Bedford Street in the Benson neighborhood of Omaha. He was a part-time student in the radio broadcasting program at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa,[3] and worked at a local Fazoli's restaurant.[4] It was reported that he planned to eventually become a radio DJ for KIWR. Jolkowski's mother described him as "shy", "a quiet boy" with only "a small handful of friends."[4]

Disappearance

On Wednesday, June 13, 2001, Jolkowski was called into work early. He initially planned to walk to his job, which was located over 4 mi (6.4 km) away, due to his car being at an auto repair shop, but eventually made arrangements for a co-worker to give him a ride. Since Jolkowski had trouble giving directions, he arranged for them to meet at Benson High School, which he and his co-worker had previously attended.[4][5] The school was eight blocks (about 0.5 mi (0.80 km)) from his home.[2]

At 10:45 a.m., Jolkowski was last seen by a neighbor, who witnessed him helping his younger brother pull trash cans from the curb back to the house.[6] Under an hour later, between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m., his co-worker called his house stating that he had failed to turn up at Benson High for the ride to work. Jolkowski has not been seen or heard from since then.[2] Shortly after his disappearance, the school's security cameras were checked, but none of them showed Jolkowski arriving at the school.[7]

A police officer investigating his disappearance deemed it "the most baffling case" he had seen in thirty years.[8] As of 2023, the Omaha Police Department continues to investigate the case.[9]

Impact

Following the disappearance, Jolkowski's mother and father created Project Jason to help families through a loved one's disappearance.[5][2][10] In 2005, after lobbying by his parents, "Jason's Law" was passed by Nebraska Legislature, providing for a statewide database on missing persons.[2][11] Kelly Jolkowski, Jason's mother, later received a Volunteer for Victims award from U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in 2010 and the Nebraska Governor's Points of Light Award in 2014 in recognition of her work to support families of missing people.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Jason Jolkowski". The Charley Project. Archived from the original on May 16, 2020.
  2. Newton, Michael (2009). The Encyclopedia of Unsolved Crimes. New York City, New York: Facts on File. p. 196. ISBN 978-1-438-11914-4.
  3. "Family to hold vigil for missing student". The Des Moines Register. July 22, 2001. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Morman, LeAnne (June 13, 2013). "12 Years Later- Jason Jolkowski Still Missing". WOWT News. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017.
  5. Mikkilineni, Rupa (September 28, 2009). "Missing teen's parents help other families cope". Nancy Grace's Cold Cases. CNN. Archived from the original on May 16, 2020.
  6. Schneider, Dorothy (March 20, 2007). "Discovery of body could be 'at least an answer'". Journal and Courier. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. James, Karla (June 14, 2016). "Omaha teen missing for 15 years". Nebraska Radio Network. Archived from the original on June 15, 2016.
  8. "Grieving mother helps others". Fremont Tribune. November 5, 2007. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Waldman, Leigh (2021-06-12). "MISSING: 20 year anniversary of Jason Jolkowski's disappearance". 1011 Now. Gray Media Group, Inc. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
  10. "Family's Loss Inspires Law To Help Find Missing Persons". KETV. Archived from the original on May 16, 2020.
  11. ""Jason's Law" Reviewed". WOWT News. February 11, 2005. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  12. Lohr, David (March 27, 2014). "Kelly Jolkowski, Mother Of Missing Teen, Recognized For Aiding Victims' Families". HuffPost. Archived from the original on May 16, 2020.
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