Gregory Ratchford, 43 MSG [REMAINS DISCOVERED] Since 01/19/09 From Independence, IA

[Grande]

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 7:43 AM CST
Independence man missing

INDEPENDENCE — Authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding a man missing since Monday.

Gregory Ratchford, 43, was last seen at about 6 p.m. leaving the Majestic Bar, 300 First St. E., according to the Independence Police Department. He was walking north, possibly on the way to his home at 812 Fourth St. NE.

Ratchford is described as 5 foot 8 inches tall weighing 150 pounds. He has blue eyes, brown hair and a mustache. When last seen he was wearing a Carhart coat, blue jeans and a baseball cap.

Following up on a report of a missing person made at about 8:30 p.m. Monday, Independence police searched Ratchford’s house and neighborhood. They also spoke with family members.

Anyone with information can call the Independence Police Department at (319) 334-2520.

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2009/01/21/news/breaking_news/doc4976fbb71d071082529147.txt

[TigressPen]

I hope they get a pic of Gregory up soon.

[Grande]

ALERT: Independence Police Looking for Missing Man
By Daren Sukhram
Story Updated: Jan 21, 2009 at 12:19 PM CST

http://i42.tinypic.com/b6pnk4.jpg

INDEPENDENCE - The Independence Police Department is asking for help locating a missing man.

Gregory Ratchford, 43, was last seen leaving the Majestic Bar around 6:00 Monday night.

He was wearing a Carhart coat, blue jeans and a baseball cap. Gregory is white, 5'8" tall, weighs 150 pounds and has brown hair and a mustache.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call Independence police at (319) 334-2520.

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/37945689.html

[Grande]

Police: Missing Man Found Dead In Creek
POSTED: 2:57 pm CST January 21, 2009

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa -- The mother of an Independence man missing since Monday said he was found dead in a creek near his home.

Police said Gregory Ratchford, 43, was reported missing Monday night. He was last seen leaving a local bar earlier that evening.

Ratchford's mother, Carol, said her son's body has been found but declined further comment.

A telephone message left Wednesday afternoon for Independence police was not immediately returned.

http://www.kcci.com/news/18532560/detail.html

[TigressPen]

Missing Independence man found dead
The Gazette

Updated January 21. 2009 3:36PM


UPDATE INDEPENDENCE — The body of a missing Independence man was found this morning about 11:28 in a wooded creek area of northeast Independence, police said.

The State Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine cause of death.

Gregory C. Ratchford, 43, was reported missing Monday night, police said. He was last seen walking north from Majestic Bar in the 300 block of First Street East around 6 p.m. Monday.

He may have been walking to his home in the 800 block of Fourth Street NE, police said.


http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090121/NEWS/701219937/0/DEATHNOTICES

[Amusedtdth]

Rip ~ gregory
:1222423:

[sarahhod]

No clear answers

By Michael Hohenbrink, Editor

Published: Monday, January 26, 2009 11:15 AM CST


INDEPENDENCE - Police remain tight-lipped about an investigation into the disappearance of an Independence man who vanished Monday to be found shortly before noon Wednesday in a creek.

Hope that was present Wednesday morning as a search party gathered helped propel dozens of volunteers who met at “The Majestic,” an Independence watering hole where Ratchford was a regular.

The search effort was organized by Independence Council Member Arletta Schweitzer who said she knew the family. Approximately 30 people gathered for the search after being briefed by Independence Police Chief Doug Rasmussen.

“Search everything,” ordered Rasmussen.


The search by volunteers took 20 minutes to produce results. In a creek just a few blocks from Ratchford’s home, a volunteer made the discovery. Approximately an hour after the discovery, emergency personnel took Ratchford from the creek and into a waiting ambulance.

Majestic owner Kim Heinen called Ratchford “a nice guy” who got along with everyone.

Those who knew Ratchford agreed on one point: he was universally liked by those who knew him.

"He [talked] to everyone," said Heinen.

Hearing that copies were running low of fliers with Ratchford’s information, one man offered to pitch in to help produce some.

“Here’s $20 to make some more,” said one patron at the bar Wednesday morning.

Joe Brown, one of those who showed up to help look for Ratchford, said he had known the man for years.

“I’ve known him since I was a kid in Jesup,” said Brown.

He described Ratchford as “reliable” and as someone who would “do anything for you.”

Brown described Ratchford as someone who had been through a lot but who still remained friendly to everyone.

At the scene where Ratchford was found, Rasmussen said an autopsy would be carried out. The police chief declined to predict when results would be known or to speculate about the cause of death.

Before Ratchford was found, Rasmussen said he had no reason to suspect foul play.

http://communitynewspapergroup.com/articles/2009/01/26/bulletin-journal/news/doc497deca688e8d429770034.txt

[annalyzer]

I'd like to know if crossing this creek was part of his direct route home. Why else would he go to the creek?

[Grande]

Thursday, January 29, 2009 7:41 AM CST
Independence man died of hypothermia

INDEPENDENCE — Hypothermia killed an Independence resident whose body was found in a creek near his home.

Gregory Ratchford, 43, was last seen Jan. 19 walking toward his house from the Majestic Bar on First Street East. Authorities recovered his body two days later near Malone Creek, just blocks from his home on Fourth Street Northeast.

The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Ratchford’s death accidental.

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2009/01/29/news/breaking_news/doc4981921421283915540728.txt