Bradley Novak Jr 27 Julianne E Keel 25, Msg 05/01/09, Kennewick WA [BOTH FOUND]

[sarahhod]

MISSING: Benton County authorities look for missing couple

Herald staff

http://media.tri-cityherald.com/smedia/2009/05/08/19/42-w_Julee.embedded.prod_affiliate.13.jpg (http://media.tri-cityherald.com/smedia/2009/05/08/19/139-w_Julee.standalone.prod_affiliate.13.jpg) http://media.tri-cityherald.com/smedia/2009/05/08/16/959-W_MissingNOVAK.embedded.prod_affiliate.13.jpg (http://media.tri-cityherald.com/smedia/2009/05/08/16/198-W_MissingNOVAK.standalone.prod_affiliate.13.jpg)


KENNEWICK A couple has reportedly gone missing east of Kennewick and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office today started a search of the river and surrounding areas by boat and airplane, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies are seeking information about the whereabouts of Bradley Jason Novak Jr., 27, and Julianne Elizabeth Keel, 25, who were believed to be camping in an RV on Toothacre Road in Hover Park.
Deputies searched the area around the campsite and found no signs of foul play, the office said. The RV was at the site.
The couple are believed to have a red 16-foot canoe, which was missing from the site, the office said.
Relatives reportedly last saw the couple April26 in Kennewick and talked to them on the phone May 1, according to sheriff’s deputies.
Anyone with information about the couple can call the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at 628-0333.

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/571717.html

[annalyzer]

SEARCH: Benton County authorities still looking for missing couple

Herald staff
Saturday, May. 09, 2009

TRI-CITIES Benton County sheriff’s deputies used a Cessna aircraft and a boat today in the second day of searching the Columbia River and shoreline for a couple believed to have gone missing six days ago after going canoeing.

Bradley Jason Novak, Jr., 27, and Julianne Elizabeth Keel, 25, were reported missing from Hover Park where they had been camping in a recreational vehicle, said Cpl. Scott Windsor of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Windsor said sheriff’s deputies covered the water and shore between the railroad bridge at Perkins Road to McNary Dam today. The search included islands, sloughs and draws in the region.

A witness who was with several people at Hover Park one week ago told deputies Novak and Keel left to go on a “little paddling trip,” Windsor said.

No one has seen them since, he added. A 16-foot red canoe also was missing from the campsite.

Deputies didn’t get involved until Wednesday, when a wildlife officer reported that someone was taking items from the recreational vehicle the couple had been using.

Windsor said officers later learned that Novak had called his sister to retrieve some personal items from the recreational vehicle.

“The probability is (the couple) did something else (and left the area),” Windsor said.

Deputies will focus on a land search Sunday.

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/572702.html

[packy]

They may be off somewhere on an extended trip but it seems they may have gone in the canoe.

[sarahhod]

Airplane, boat used as search continues for missing couple

By John Trumbo, Herald staff writer

Benton County sheriff's deputies used a Cessna aircraft and a boat Saturday on the second day of searching the Columbia River and shoreline for a couple believed to have gone missing six days ago after going canoeing.
Bradley Jason Novak, Jr., 27, and Julianne Elizabeth Keel, 25, were reported missing from Hover Park where they had been camping in a recreational vehicle, said Cpl. Scott Windsor of the Benton County Sheriff's Office.
Windsor said sheriff's deputies covered the water and shore between the railroad bridge at Perkins Road to McNary Dam on Saturday. The search included islands, sloughs and draws in the region.
A witness who was with several people at Hover Park one week ago told deputies Novak and Keel left to go on a "little paddling trip," Windsor said.
No one has seen them since, he added. A 16-foot red canoe also was missing from the campsite.
Deputies didn't get involved until Wednesday, when a wildlife officer reported that someone was taking items from the recreational vehicle the couple had been using.
Windsor said officers later learned that Novak had called his sister to retrieve some personal items from the recreational vehicle.
"The probability is (the couple) did something else (and left the area)," Windsor said.
The deputy said authorities have heard several stories about what the couple did, but did not elaborate.
The recreational vehicle appeared to have been ransacked, but there is no evidence that harm came to the couple, he said.
"We've searched all the areas where we think they could've been (along the river)," Windsor said.
Deputies will focus on a land search today, and will follow up on information about where Novak and Keel might have gone outside Benton County.

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/572957.html

[annalyzer]

Missing couple creates mystery for detectives, families

By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer
Tuesday, May. 12, 2009

Benton County sheriff's detectives have a mystery on their hands.

They're looking for a couple who were reported missing last week after apparently setting out from Hover Park in east Kennewick to take a canoe ride on the Columbia River.

It's not clear how long Bradley Jason Novak Jr., 27, and his girlfriend, Julianne Elizabeth Keel, 25, have been missing -- or whether their disappearance is intentional or accidental.

All authorities know is that Novak's recreational vehicle was found at Hover Park empty and ransacked, but there's no indication of foul play, Lt. Joe Lusignan said.

"There were no signs of a struggle. They specifically searched for any indications of blood or a fight -- things being broken," Lusignan said. "We don't even know if there's an actual canoe. ... We don't know if they've gone somewhere else and have not told anybody."

Novak's mother says she's worried that something bad has happened to her son.

"If he was anywhere, he would call," said Cheryl Diamond of Kennewick. "He wouldn't put me through this."

Novak and Keel both have had run-ins with law enforcement. Keel has been arrested for domestic assault and driving offenses. Novak has arrests for theft and driving offenses, including DUI, and apparently had a May 1 court hearing.

"Brad does have a record, but he's a great guy," Diamond said. "He just doesn't know how to function in the world."

Diamond said her son wasn't living at Hover Park, but was staying there for a few days while he tried to get into a trailer park somewhere. Novak had his trailer on a friend's property in Benton City but had to leave there.

He parked his trailer at her place for a day and left the following afternoon. He returned the next day, April 27, for a quick shower and that was the last time Diamond saw Novak.

On May 3, a younger relative was found with some of Novak's property and she apparently said Novak had called her, asking her to pick up his stuff.

Diamond heard about the incident and started worrying. She said anyone who knows her son knows he wouldn't let anyone take his belongings. He also wouldn't leave his tools and climbing gear behind if he was leaving the area, she said.

On May 6, Keel's parents contacted Diamond and said Keel hadn't picked up her check. Diamond then reported the couple missing around 6:30 p.m.

Deputies started their search for the couple the following day.

The water and air search has been suspended until authorities get information about a more specific area to look. They will, however, continuing scouring the surrounding area on foot to try to find any helpful clues, he said.

Detectives are continuing to follow leads to get a better timeline on when Novak and Keel were last seen and whether they possibly left the area.

Anyone with information about the couple is asked to contact the sheriff's office through the dispatch center at 628-0333.

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/574966.html

[Nut44x4]

Man's body found in Columbia River 5-17-09
WALLULA -- The body of a man authorities believe may be that of a Benton County man missing since earlier this month was recovered from the Columbia River near Wallula on Saturday evening.

The body, which was discovered by fishermen about two miles downriver from the Boise paper mill, is presumed to be that of the missing man, Bradley Jason Novak Jr., 27, said Sgt. Barry Blackman of the Walla Walla Sheriff's Office.

Seven members of Columbia Basin Dive Rescue and sheriff's deputies from Walla Walla and Benton counties helped recover the body a little after 7 p.m. Authorities were alerted to the discovery by a call from fishermen who had spotted the body on shore just before 3 p.m.

The Walla Walla County Coroner will handle the determination of the identity of the victim, said patrol Sgt. Rick Welch of the Benton County Sheriff's Office. The Walla Walla coroner's office did not return a call Saturday night.

Benton County sheriff's deputies have been searching by boat and on foot for Novak and his girlfriend, Julianne Elizabeth Keel, 25, after Novak's mother reported the couple missing May 6.

Novak and Keel were last seen some time in early May in Hover Park in east Kennewick, setting out to take a canoe ride on the Columbia River.

Benton County sheriff's detectives, after they were called by Novak's mother, Cheryl Diamond of Kennewick, found Novak's recreational vehicle at Hover Park empty and ransacked.

The canoe also was not by the vehicle. Diamond said that her son wasn't living at Hover Park, but was staying there for a few days while he tried to get into a trailer park somewhere.

Deputies still are trying to follow leads seeking information from the public about the couple's last reported whereabouts.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/744823.html

[nomadpatti]

OH NO!!!
I was so hoping they had decided to disappear and start a new life.

[packy]

I am so sorry. My condolences to Bradley's family.

One article said they didn't even know if there was a canoe but others describe it as a red canoe. Wouldn't it seem it should have been found by now if it was a river accident.

[nomadpatti]

I am so sorry. My condolences to Bradley's family.

One article said they didn't even know if there was a canoe but others describe it as a red canoe. Wouldn't it seem it should have been found by now if it was a river accident.

I was thinking the same thing. Where is the canoe? It is concerning that his trailer was ransacked and empty. Also, it said he was due in court on the 1st, so why would he be on the river on the 1st? :g:

[annalyzer]

Update: Walla Walla Coroner Investigating Body Found In Columbia River

Matt Haugen / Reporter
Last updated: Sunday, May 17th, 2009 02:19:26 PM

WALLULA -- Update: 2:05 PM Sunday May 17th: Walla Walla County Coroner Frank Brown tells KVEW News that the body found in the Columbia River hasn't been identified, and won't be for several days.

Brown said it would be too early to jump to any conclusions if the body is that of any missing people from the Tri-Cities area.

Brown said the body is that of a white male, in his late 20's to early 30's. Brown said an autopsy will be completed towards the end of the week.

He said dental records and information from the Washington State Missing Person Unit will be used to help identify the body.

Brown said the body appears to have been in the water for more than two days.


Update: 10:12 AM Sunday May 17th:

Sgt. Sabin with the Benton County Sheriff Office told KVEW News that the body found in the river hasn't been identified, contrary to other media reports Sunday morning.

Sabin said the body appears to have been in the Columbia River for quite some time.

He said the fisherman who found the body had been in the same exact spot on Friday, but the body wasn't seen.

The body was found Saturday afternoon down stream from the Boise paper mill.


Update: 8:00 PM Saturday May 16th:

A Walla Walla County Deputy confirms the body is that of an adult male. The deputy says the investigation is on-going. Walla Walla County Sheriff and Benton County Sheriff Office's will be investigating.


Previous Report:

A Benton County Deputy tells KVEW News that a body has been found in the Columbia River between Wallula and Casey Pond.

The body is on the Walla Walla County side of the river.

Benton County is assisting with recovery by using the Columbia Boat Patrol.

A detective is en route to the scene.

Authorities wouldn't speculate if the body is that of missing Kennewick man Bradley Novak.

http://www.kvewtv.com/news/?sect_rank=1&section_id=18&story_id=17242

[Nut44x4]

Is this the same body??
Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Washington)

May 17, 2009 Sunday
Man's body found in Columbia River

May 17--WALLULA -- The body of a man authorities believe may be that of a Benton County man missing since earlier this month was recovered from the Columbia River near Wallula on Saturday evening.

The body, which was discovered by fishermen about two miles downriver from the Boise paper mill, is presumed to be that of the missing man, Bradley Jason Novak Jr., 27, said Sgt. Barry Blackman of the Walla Walla Sheriff's Office.

Seven members of Columbia Basin Dive Rescue and sheriff's deputies from Walla Walla and Benton counties helped recover the body a little after 7 p.m. Authorities were alerted to the discovery by a call from fishermen who had spotted the body on shore just before 3 p.m.

The Walla Walla County Coroner will handle the determination of the identity of the victim, said patrol Sgt. Rick Welch of the Benton County Sheriff's Office. The Walla Walla coroner's office did not return a call Saturday night.

Benton County sheriff's deputies have been searching by boat and on foot for Novak and his girlfriend, Julianne Elizabeth Keel, 25, after Novak's mother reported the couple missing May 6.

Novak and Keel were last seen some time in early May in Hover Park in east Kennewick, setting out to take a canoe ride on the Columbia River.

Benton County sheriff's detectives, after they were called by Novak's mother, Cheryl Diamond of Kennewick, found Novak's recreational vehicle at Hover Park empty and ransacked.

The canoe also was not by the vehicle. Diamond said that her son wasn't living at Hover Park, but was staying there for a few days while he tried to get into a trailer park somewhere.

Deputies still are trying to follow leads seeking information from the public about the couple's last reported whereabouts.
http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020825&docId=l:973345458&start=6

[packy]

Seems like they are the same. Both articles say it's being handled on the Walla Walla side and both speculating the body may be that of Bradley Novak. And since no one was sure which day the couple had gone missing it could be him.

[annalyzer]

I'd say yes. Not ID yet. When I searched for Bradley Novak I didn't find his thread because he is listed here as Jason. I thought his name sounded familiar though. Found his thread after I posted this one.

[packy]

It has not been confirmed yet that it is Bradley but if it is him then we can move this.

[Nut44x4]

Autopsy Done on Body Found in River Near Wallula
Updated: May 20, 2009 10:46 PM EDT

KENNEWICK, Wash.-- There's still a lot of speculation out there that a body found Saturday in the Columbia river near Wallula could be 27 year old Bradley Novak.

The autopsy was done on Wednesday. KNDU staff called the Walla Walla County Coroner's office several times but none of our messages were returned.

The Benton County Sheriff also tell us they haven't received a call back from the coroner. Benton county deputies say they're still searching from the air and water to find Julianne Keel's body. They also think they might have found the canoe the couple was in.

"We believe it's the canoe that was owned by brad Novak, the original color was red or orange but this is more of a beige color and I don't know if it's because the color got bleached over time," said

Novak and his girlfriend 25 year old Julianne Keel have been missing for a few weeks now. Benton county sheriff's deputies think it could potentially be Novak's body they found on Saturday. But still no confirmation has been made from the Walla Walla coroner's office.
http://www.kndu.com/global/story.asp?s=10399642

[Amusedtdth]

Could the canoe have faded that quickly? I don't think so, maybe someone got the color wrong?

[Nut44x4]

Body Found In Columbia River Identified
Thursday, May 21st, 2009 09:02:05 AM
WALLULA -- Press Release From Walla Walla Coroners Office:

The body of the man found in the Columbia River near Wallula on Saturday May 16th, has been officially identified by Walla Walla County Coroner Frank Brown, as Bradley Jason Novak Jr.

Dental records were used to make a positive ID. There was no evidence of foul play. Cause of death listed as cold water drowning.
http://www.kvewtv.com/news/?sect_rank=1&section_id=1&story_id=17398

[Amusedtdth]

Shame. My condolances go out to family and friends.
RIP Bradley

[Faith]

Body in Columbia River ID'd as missing man
The Associated Press

KENNEWICK, Wash. Benton County sheriff's deputies are searching along the Columbia River for a missing Tri-Cities woman who may have been in a canoe with her boyfriend who was found dead.

Det. Lee Cantu says 25-year-old Elizabeth Keel had been camping with 27-year-old Bradley Jason Novak Jr. They had a canoe like one that was found washed up on rocks.

They were reported missing May 6 by Novak's mother. His body was found Saturday by fishermen and identified through dental records Wednesday by Walla Walla Coroner Frank Brown. He says Novak drowned.

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/1154/story/586047.html

[Faith]

Search Continues for Julianne Keel

Posted: May 22, 2009 08:27 PM

Updated: May 22, 2009 08:41 PM



Columbia Basin Dive Rescue will be back on the water early Saturday morning searching for Julianne Keel.

Last weekend fishermen found the body of Brad Novak on the Columbia River near Wallula. It is not known if Keel was in the river.

But Dive Rescue crews will use where they found Novak's body as a base mark for their search. They say the search will be in the early morning and late evening, and they'll exhaust their efforts to help find Julianne.

"We're going to concentrate on the area between Boise Cascade and Port Kelley, down south of Boise Cascade," says Scott Pattison of Columbia Basin Dive Rescue. "The way the river current comes down and the wind comes up through the gorge there, it pretty much lines up where we found the first victim."

We're also learning more about Novak's death. The official cause is cold drowning, and officials say it's likely the cold water prevented his body from functioning properly. Also Novak was not wearing a lifevest when he was found, and Dive Rescue says that's important because it could've saved his life, even with the frigid temperature of the Columbia River.

http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=10412764&nav=menu484_2_10

[packy]

So sad and I was hoping they had just decided to travel somewhere not in the water. I hope they find Miss Keel soon.

My condolences to the families.

[sarahhod]

Female Body Found on Columbia River

Posted: May 26, 2009 07:54 AM
Updated: May 26, 2009 07:54 AM


BENTON COUNTY-- For the third time in just over a week a body has been pulled from the Columbia River. The latest, Sunday afternoon.
The Umatilla Sheriff's Office found the body roughly fives miles from McNary Dam on the Benton County side. The Benton County coroner has tentatively identified the body as 25-year-old Julianne Keel. That's based on the driver's license found on the body.
Keel's family has been notified. KNDU talked with her mother. She tells us she's glad her daughter was finally found and adds the family will miss her.
An autopsy could be as early as Monday, but the coroner says right now there doesn't appear to be any signs of foul play.
"We checked the body and just at this time, there's no obvious signs of foul play," says Rick Carson, the Benton County Coroner.
There is no word on how long the body was in the water. Last week Keel's boyfriend, 27-year-old Brad Novak, was found on the Columbia River near Wallula. The cause of death was ruled as cold drowning. The two were last seen together and reported missing in early May.

http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=10420922&nav=menu484_2_10

[Faith]

:1222423::1222423::1222423:

[packy]

My condolences to both families.

[Nut44x4]

Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Washington)
May 27, 2009 Wednesday
BRIEF: Body pulled from Columbia is missing woman; was pregnant

May 27--A Benton County woman whose body was found in the Columbia River drowned, County Coroner Rick Corson said Tuesday.

The tentative cause of death of Julianne Elizabeth Keel, 25, is freshwater or cold-water drowning, Corson said. A final determination will be made after results are back from tissue analysis and toxicology tests, he said, which could take 8 to 12 weeks.

An autopsy completed Tuesday afternoon also showed Keel was 51/2 months pregnant with a girl, Corson said.
http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020825&docId=l:979609065&start=3

[Amusedtdth]

Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Washington)
May 27, 2009 Wednesday
BRIEF: Body pulled from Columbia is missing woman; was pregnant

May 27--A Benton County woman whose body was found in the Columbia River drowned, County Coroner Rick Corson said Tuesday.

The tentative cause of death of Julianne Elizabeth Keel, 25, is freshwater or cold-water drowning, Corson said. A final determination will be made after results are back from tissue analysis and toxicology tests, he said, which could take 8 to 12 weeks.

An autopsy completed Tuesday afternoon also showed Keel was 51/2 months pregnant with a girl, Corson said.
http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020825&docId=l:979609065&start=3

:1187603408.CR.Mothe How terribly sad.

May they all RIP
My condolance to family and friends

[packy]

Yes it is so sad.

May they all rest in peace together.