Monday, February 7, 2011
Arkansas mysteries Death declaration sought for John Glasgow
Posted by Max Brantley on Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 5:00 PM
- findjohnglasgow.com
- JOHN GLASGOW: Death declaration sought.
A petition has been filed in probate court seeking a death declaration for John Glasgow, the Little Rock construction company financial officer who's been missing since leaving his home early on the morning of Jan. 28, 2008. His car was later found at Petit Jean State Park, but no trace of him has been found.
Despite extensive searches, a reward of more than $100,000 and international publicity, no evidence has been found that Glasgow is alive, his wife, Melinda, said in a petition filed in probate court Feb. 2. Circuit Judge Vann Smith will consider the petition, as he has other filings related to Glasgow's affairs since his disappearance. No family members have heard from Glasgow, who was chief financial officer of CDI Contractors, and no tips have come in suggesting he's alive.
The pleading says Arkansas law presumes someone is dead if they have been missing five years, but Melinda Glasgow's attorney, Nate Coulter, said there is case law in which declarations of death have been made before that time has elapsed.
"To all who loved and cared about him, the near certitude that he is dead is overwhelming and unbearably painful," the petition said. "Yet, they have no body and no closure. They need to begin moving beyond this painful tragedy."
While offering no theories about Glasgow's disappearance, the petition said Glasgow had no reason to disappear and no history of mental problems. It said it is virtually impossible in the digital age to "disappear" without leaving footprints and it includes an affidavit from an expert in the field of missing persons who said Glasgow is almost certainly dead. Said the petition:
"This is a painful and grievous conclusion for the petitioner and the family of John Glasgow to reach. They above all others would like to see some glimmer of hope that John was alive. She and they, however, have faced the reality that he is in all likelihood not alive."Petitioner seeks a declaration of death by the court so that a death certificate can be issued and she can the start the process of healing the loss of her beloved husband and begin an orderly administration of the estate."
Melinda Glasgow already had a power of attorney for her husband's finances, approved by the judge in 2008, that gave her broad discretion in handling the couple's assets. John Glasgow had prepared a document in 1996 giving his wife power of attorney should he become incapacitated, the court record indicates. Glasgow has seven siblings who were given notice of the action last week. His brother Roger has been working with Melinda Glasgow over the last three years in efforts to encourage information about his whereabouts.
A legal notice will be published this week giving 60 days to John Glasgow to contest the petition for declaration of his death. This is essentially a formality to guard against any claims should John Glasgow, against expectations, surface in the future.
Here's the full probate filing, which restates facts of the case and includes the affidavit from the expert on missing persons.
Here's the warning notice to be published this week.
Here's a link to the family website.
Here's a link to an extensive article on the case in Portfolio magazine.
Comments (32)
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A sad reminder that I should continue to pray for this family.
My heart goes out to the family. The only thing worse than losing him is simply not knowing what happened. Here's hoping that someday all their questions will find answers.
Fine young man from a widely-respected family in these parts. I can imagine the despair.
I THINK ITS TO SOON FOR THEM TO DECLARE HIM DEAD. .stick to the law of five years thats why we have laws. IF HE WENT MISSING ON HIS ON HE PROBALY .KNOWS THE LAWS.THATS THE LAST THING .I WOULD If MY WIFE WAS MISSING .KEEP LOOKING ON THE ROAD THAT HE TOOK TO THAT PARK
Why is the family doing this so soon after the Disappeared episode. I've seen that episode twice, and my feeling is that this man took off on his own accord is alive somewhere. There is no evidence he's dead. In fact, there have been sightings of John Glasgow since he went missing, which the family downplay. The whole thing is very weird. How much life insurance does this man have?
I personally at times am haunted by John's disappearance. I believe another deeper search at Petite Jean should be conducted. I remember the day he disappeared and the winds were gusty and strong that day. I think this case should remain open although I can understand the family seeking closure.
As I said, I am haunted at times by John. I do not personally believe he is deceased and at this time there is no proof or evidence to the fact. I do not know why this case bothers me so but if he is alive I feel he isn't happy...merely surviving day to day till a day when once more he can be a free man and live his life without looking over his shoulder.
The above comment 'dillards'' and the black crow bothers me because "hi ya ko ga" sees past, present, future. Maybe the connection behind this will soon come to light. Maybe a deeper investigation into this should be in order.
I just pray John's disappearance can be resolved because only then might this case stop haunting me. go la nv da
Just a thought...but crow also symbolizes death but to many it symbolizes "deception."
I am deeply disturbed by the comment made on "how much life insurance does this man have?". How dare anyone make a comment on somebody and a situation they obviously have never been in. I have known the family since I was 19 years old in 1989. John was married to a different person at that time and had the pleasure of knowing Melinda later on. Melinda would give up all her earthly goods to just know or have John back in her arms. The Glasgow family (and yes, Melinda is and always will be part of the Glasgow family) are the warmest and most lovely people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. They were all raised by the two single most beautiful people in the world. As far as the comment on "money" IT has never been an issue with the couple. Their love for each other was greater than anything else. To discribe Melinda to somebody who has never met her is hard but I will have a go at it. She has one of the warmest souls I have met. I can definetly see what John saw in her. Bright, lovely inside and out. Loves her family with her whole self and lets them know daily. She has never looked down upon anyone and has always made everyone feel welcome and special. It is just hard to discribe just how beautiful of a woman she is and I know one day they will be together again.
I understand her and the familys need to put this behind them so they can continue with life. With him being missing every second feels like an eternity. Think about that when making such comments. They need to be able to have a moment and service for their overly taxed emotional state to put his sould to rest beside his two beautiful parents and brother-in-law. That is all it is. Simple. It is just time. Every avenue available has been used. They are emotionally streached thin (to say the least) and simply need to put him to rest so they can move forward. Melinda, if I have said anything to hurt you I promise it is not my intention. It just infuriated me to see a comment such as that one. It made me feel like it was my way of helping in some little way. It also hit a sore spot with me and getting to do this comment has helped me get out some of my feeling that I have deep inside that don't get let out often. I love you all and hope this finds you if not in well spirits at least in well health. Terri Ann
John If you do happen to be out there my wishes for a safe return and my prayers are with you. I have always felt like family by you and all your brothers and sisters. If you are only here in spirit then my prayers are definitely with you my brother. We will all see you some way some day. Terri Ann
The amount of the insurance is a fact. The more facts that are known, the greater the likelihood that the truth can be ascertained. It is a fact I'd like to be made aware of and it is a fact that people close to the family should be no more sensitive about than any other fact they've been willing to confirm. Too much is at stake to be sensitive about any fact in this case. How much is the insurance payout?
It is truly shocking case. I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina ... I am interested in the case fully, there are many hi `pothesis: Can be a voluntary disappearance, collect the insurance issues or related to the Chief Financial Officer Dillard's ... particularly I think Dillard's has much to do. From a distance I offer my understanding, emotional support and good wishes to the Glasgow family, hopefully soon Jonh appear and this is all over the best way. As to the closure of the case do not agree, I think you should continue doing intensive research. Greetings and a hug Ordiales enlarge!. Silvana
hi im ronnie and im watching this on investigation on sky tv ch 551 in the united kingdom i just wish that john is safe somewhere and hope he returns home safely prayers to johns family all the best ronnie
I did some research on John Glasgow after seeing the show on ID. The person that Mr. Glasgow replaced as the CFO went to prison because Mr. Glasgow found that this person had been taking funds from the business. That person got out of prison not that many months before Mr. Glasgow went "missing". I believe that person had something to do with John Glasgow's disapearance. I wonder if anyone ever checked that possibility out?
It doesn't matter how much his insurance is or whatever. Others shouldn't judge this man or his family. Imagine if someone you loved completely disappeared without a trace. What type of closure would you have? You would wake up day after day with a piece of your heart missing. You wouldn't want to read comments regarding insurance and deception. I can understand why they would want the death declaration. It would be the only closure available in a case like this. Five years is a very long time to wait. This is a human being with a loving, caring family. Think about it.
I still search for him continually. I've made probably 20 trips to Petit Jean scouring the countryside for any sign. Just last week I went ahead and hiked the trail coming down from Mather Lodge. There are a tremendous number of back roads down around the Pontoon area on the back side of the mountain, along the Petit Jean river. I hired a medium and she saw many things clearly. I sent a tape of the session to some family members but there was no response. I believe he was killed somewhere close to the mountain. I believe the is a large sum of cash involved, say $10,000.00 for the contract. Two males involved in the act. I'll keep going up there and looking. Somebody saw something. Somebody knows something. I intend to keep looking and asking.
he (john) certainly seemed to be a pleasant and honorable man, but spending his final night sleeping in his easy chair and leaving a final note for his wife with no salutation of any kind, only a bank account number and the combination to their safe, speaks louder than anyone's personal opinion, no matter how well they think they knew the man or his family. and by the way, anyone who tries to tell people not to judge others is either naive or a pompous ass. we judge people (even when we tell people not to judge), all the time. it's how we survive.
i too am surprised that this action was taken so quickly after the disappeared show. five years is a relatively short amount of time.
plus it's fairly obvious that he had to have been either meeting someone somewhere else and THAT person parked his car at the lodge or else he met someone on the mountain after parking his car & drove off the mountain. some bloodhounds are so good that they can follow someone's scent inside a car. so i wouldn't be so quick to discount the dog's evidence.
speaking of discounting things, one of the biggest indicators of potential foul play was the work stuff. it sounds like he packed it up to go turn it in. was he told to meet someone somewhere? was he told to resign over the 7.1 million to keep his name out of it & then killed as the scapegoat? was the river (the ping spot) ever searched for his body)?
was the ping from a personal cell phone or his work phone that was found in the car?
the fact that the family is so quick to discount some of the evidence makes it seem like they don't want to him found - perhaps because they HELPED him disappear. we only know what they choose to tell us & we only see what they choose to show us. (this is just a theory, not an accusation. i'm just throwing out some possibilities for the sake of argument.)
his wife, in particular, made some statements, that seem wonderful, but when you examine them, aren't so convincing. "he would never have left me. he would never have left his cat. & i don't say that lightly." really? if he did, he would. how well does anybody really KNOW anybody these days? also "all i know is i feel that he is not alive." then why do the show? did she kill him? isn't this a show to advocate for those who have disappeared (aka missing) and by that same thought process their families still have hope of them being found alive? many families keep that hope alive 20 years later and she gave up before 2? i understand being a realist but there is some limit to that...
plus if john were murdered, wouldn't the family want to know the truth of that?
i say watch how this one plays out over the years.
JJ - I think Melinda assumes he is dead, not because she killed him, but because she can't fathom the thought that he is out there somewhere choosing not to be with her. That was my feeling on this whole thing - if he isn't dead - why is he not home? I couldn't believe they were so quick to discount some of this sightings.. sounds like denial to me. I think he is alive somewhere, maybe living another life. You never know someone fully, and you don't ever know what someone might do in some situations, not even yourself.
I read some of these post.
I wonder how people that always seem to think the worst of every situation really feel when things don't turn out the way they thought or concluded right from the start.
Why is it always the worst of every situation.
People can be so proud and feel so accomplished they believe they are in another world all their own.
They can look at and perceive others beneath them and their personal importance is well beyond what others can achieve.
Then to suddenly be pushed off this high place by some unknown outside force who can question his abilities and from no where make accusations of his abilities and honesty over such a long period of time.
He was no doubt a loyal husband and employee.
I feel that such a shock or shot to his abilities and loyalists was more then just stress to him.
It was like being hit by a vehicle in an intersection without ever expecting it.
Life suddenly and unexpectedly changed from the everyday way of life. Something that only few can understand and those that have lived this can understand.
The mind has ways to avoid trauma and can make changes to reach that comfort zone once again.
I feel that in this situation after seeing the preview of this case today. It's a good possibility that John is still alive and well with the facts that were presented.
The mind is no different than anything else in this world. Natural or man made it can be broken.
I feel that this was nothing close to any professional hit on John because police at least in this preview of Johns case showed nothing of it even being possible or connected.
If this had been some fifty or seventy years ago. I would have to wonder because organized crime was involved in construction and many of businesses where large money could be made.
One can come to many conclusions after seeing this preview of Johns case.
From what I saw and heard from this preview. John came under fire. He was apparently having a very hard time dealing with it.
But his presents at his home and at work should have sent up some red flags and others should have started asking more questions than they seemed to have asked.
For me to conclude anything from this case. I would have to hear and see much more on this case which no dough had to be left out in case this turned out to be a homicide.
This world is a very difficult place to exist. Some seem to be so priviliged and others struggle to just have something to eat each day.
Who ever thought of the words. This is a dog eat dog world, were so right. I wonder if they reallly knew that when those words were spoken.
I say a prayer for each and everyone who have to live situtitions of this nature in everyday life.
I hope for the family things do turn out for the best.
Time seems to be the answer to many situtions in life.
Post Aug.17th..Carylon
Surely the police excluded this individual from the missing persons investigation. This individual you speak of would have been a person of interest right off the bat...
Good research...
I just watched an episode of Dissappeared on ID and i was moved by the story. Never have i watched an episode and actually went online to find out more about the person, but something about John Glasgow sticks with me. If John left on his own accord, he owes it to his wife and family to at least let them know he is doing okay but just doesnt want to be bothered. To leave ur family in pain and dismay is thoroughly selfish. Now if John was kidnapped or has been harmed by someone, i simply pray that someone out there knows what happened and contact the family so they can finally have some closure. My heart goes out to Melinda because i dont know what i would do if my husband suddenly vanished into thin air. May God be with this family but most especially be with John Glasgow. It is well!!!!
I just watched this show on ID. In a way, I think john is still alive. I feel someone met him at the lodge and picked him up. The dogs didn't find any scent leading away from the lodge. And like another post commented, has anyone checked the water for a body?
And what about that phone call john made from the office? Saying it looks like everything will work out to our benefit....definitely more going on here.
This is one case I will follow. He didn't take anything with him bc he didn't need to. He's obviously living under another name with a nice bank account overseas somewhere. Then again, maybe whomever he was involved with on this decided it was too risky to keep him around. Again, I say check the water.
I just finished watching the story. I think he is alive and doing well. I believe he couldnt take the pressure of what was about to be revealed and left for a new start. He was a proud man and because of guilt,shame or whatever decided to leave.We all have a breaking point. Also the lady with the dog at the motel should have been a real indicator of where he may have gone. That really, in my opinion,should have been examined thoroughly.These dogs are highly trained and skilled animals that police use regularly to fight crime. It is a very sad situation.But really at the end of the day we dont know anyone 100%.
Isn't it amazing that all of these "judgmental" people think it is there business to pass judgement on a family they don't know. While the life insurance would or could be a potential motive, it's really none of anyone's business except investigators and the immediate family. That said, these people had financial means without necessitating an insurance company pay out.
A forensic accounting inquiry led to a finding of no impropriety. Therefore, there is nothing to indicate any reason for a voluntary disappearance.
Ultimately it remains a mystery waiting to be solved. For the family, it lives as a daily source of pain and I personally can understand why the family may want a death certificate issued such that they might be able to bring some level of closure to this painful chapter of there lives. Those that question the motives and attempt other aspects of amateur sleuthing have no right to question the family. Perhaps they should mind their own business and allow the Glasgow family to grieve in private without being questioned by those who have no right to infringe or encroach upon their privacy.
This Definitely is a intrigueing story, Someone knows something! And how it was played out on TV leaves alot of open Questions.
His job position & status, the unusual $300,000. Bonus his brother Roger mentioned. i don't believe you get all the facts with the TV story.
His Loyalty & Honesty could had put this man in a bad position in the work place, he had already caught one employee embezzling money. Sounds like someone was trying to keep him Quiet, because he just simply knew too much & they knew he was to Loyal to stay Quiet.
If anyone has tried googling this latly in feb there was a person who confessed that John is dead also confessed to the police who had commited the crime as it is more then one person also stated wherre the body is buried passed a polygraph test but the police have not tried digging for the body as of this time
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