Donovan Potts, 46, (Found Deceased) Missing Since 11/20/08, Crofton, Nebraska

[Faith]

Authorities Ask For Help To Find A Missing Man

Posted: Nov 22, 2008 05:14 PM

Updated: Nov 22, 2008 05:32 PM

CROFTON, Neb. -- Authorities are looking for a missing man from a rural community near the South Dakota-Nebraska border.

Donovan Potts, 46, of Crofton, hasn't been seen or heard from since Thursday night. Family members said they grew concerned when he didn't show up to take care of his livestock on Friday.

Potts is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes. He's about 6 feet tall and weighs about 190 pounds, police said. He was last seen wearing a plaid shirt, blue pants, brown boots and a baseball cap.

Police said he was driving a blue 1999 Ford F-150 pickup truck with license plate number 13FARM2581. He was likely accompanied by his dog, Bean, a black and white Blue Heeler.

Anyone who thinks they know where Potts is should contact police.

http://www.ketv.com/news/18040951/detail.html

[Roamer]

I hope he hasn't been in an accident somewhere. Since this is a rural area, it may take them some time to cover it all.

I hope he and his dog are keeping each other warm and will be found safely.

[TigressPen]

My prayers go out to this family. Since his truck hasn't been found maybe he is still safe. I hope so.

[packy]

I hope so too. Latest update I could find was the 23rd and they were still asking for help. http://www.kcautv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9402379

[Grande]

By Adam Uhernik
Search continues for missing Crofton, NE man
Posted: Nov 23, 2008 05:08 PM CST

CROFTON, NE (KTIV) - In the three days since his disappearence, hundreds of volunteers have combed the Crofton, Nebraska area looking for Don Potts.

"It aint like him to leave he didn't have any money with him and very light clothing on," said Don's brother Chad Potts.

Now volunteers have set up a command post at Fritz's which is a Main Street establishment. That's the last place Potts was seen Thursday night. Family members say Potts was heading East out of Crofton around eleven thirty. They say he never made it home and nobody has seen him since.

"It's just so unlike him not to come home," said (Chad) Potts.

Especially since they say he had dinner waiting for him, he was tired, and was on a mission to get home. Family says it's as if he vanished and now they're asking for your help.

Potts was last seen wearing a plaid shirt, blue pants, brown boots and a baseball cap. He was heading out of Crofton driving a 1999 Blue Ford F-150 Pickup with a chrome grille guard, and a black tool box. His license plate is 13-FARM-2581. He was with his dog named Bean which is a Black and White Blue Heeler.

Many volunteers have come out over the past few days to look for Don.

Folks have mapped out the area and mark sections off once volunteers are done looking in an area. Some have even gone up in a plane looking and combing the area.

"Kind of watching road ditches close just for any evidence on something that could look suspicious or anything," said Steve Wieseler of rural Crofton, NE.

http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9401481

[ricquelle]

Search resumes for missing Crofton, NE man

Posted: Nov 28, 2008 06:48 PM CST
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL918/4260661/19841617/345227252.jpg
NEAR CROFTON, Neb. (KTIV) - Volunteers resumed their search for 46-year-old Don Potts with the help of the Yankton Search and Rescue team.

About four dozen volunteers gathered in the city auditorium in the morning and set out searching like they did last weekend, on foot and by ATV.

"Some of the things that we're looking out for is any evidence that would point to a vehicle leaving the road, a vehicle that was involved in an accident," Mark Johnson of the Yankton County earch & Rescue Team said.

While earlier searches for the Crofton, Nebraska man extended into South Dakota and even Iowa, this search kept within a five mile radius of Crofton.

"We feel that we need to verify that the area has been thoroughly searched and that we aren't missing anything," Johnson said.

The Cedar and Knox County Sheriff's department are working together to follow up on any leads that come in. Some similar pick-ups have been spotted and a stray pet or two have prompted some call into authorities.

"Very few people just up and disappear and that's pretty much the hardest part, not knowing any of the details," Captain Ernest Ibach of the Knox County Sheriff's Department said.

Potts was last scene leaving the Crofton bar Fritz's November 20th in his Blue F-150 pickup. He was wearing a plaid shirt, blue pants, brown boots, and a baseball cap. And had his dog named Beam with him.

Family is still holding out hope that he will come home. But, authorities say the longer he's missing the less likely the outcome will be good.

http://www.ktiv.com/global/story.asp?s=9428464

[ricquelle]

Volunteers concentrate search West of Crofton

Posted: Nov 29, 2008 04:33 PM CST

Volunteers resume search West of Crofton

CROFTON, Neb. (KTIV) - Volunteers came up empty handed Friday, after several hours of searching for 46 year old Don Potts. The Crofton, Nebraska man vanished November 20th. Searchers covered 60 square miles Friday.

Authorities won't categorize this as a search and rescue or search and recovery mission. They say they just want clues, or anything that can tell them where he might have gone.

A small group of volunteers returned to searching Saturday, concentrating on areas West of Crofton.

"The worst scenario goes through your mind. Is there some fowl play involved? Did somebody take him? We don't even know what direction he went in, you know. We don't know whether to look South, North, East, or West, and that's the most frustrating part. We just don't know where to go," said his brother Chad Potts.

Officials urge property owners in that area to check their land for signs or evidence .

Authorities are looking for Potts' 1999 blue Ford F-150 pick-up with a cattle guard on the front. The license plate number is 13-2581.

At the time he disappeared, Potts was wearing a plaid fleece jacket with brown boots, a cream colored baseball cap and blue jeans. If you have any information on his whereabouts, you're asked to call the Cedar County Sheriff or Nebraska State Patrol.

http://www.ktiv.com/global/story.asp?s=9430814

[sarahhod]

Welcome to HFTM Ricquelle.

Thanks for the updates.

[Begood]

I found this site:
http://www.finddonpotts.ne1.net/

[packy]

Thanks, Begood. It is strange that the dog hasn't come back either. Hope they've contacted shelters in the area to check for Mr. Potts' dog. (pic of dog from your link)

http://finddonpotts.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/bean.jpg.w300h251.jpg

[TigressPen]

I hope he didn't pick up a hitchhiker and has met with a horrible fate. The dog not being seen bothers me. Animals are loyal and will stay with their owner. Here's hoping he is still with Mr. Potts and both are safe.

[lordcalvert]

http://www.finddonpotts.ne1.net/ here is a picture of his dog bean805 here is a picture of a truck just like his but his has a chrome wrap around grill guard806

NEBRASKA LICENSE PLATE 13-2581 THIS IS A FARM PLATE DOES NOT SAY FARM ON THE PLATE

[sarahhod]

Welcome to HFTM lordcalvert.

We are all hoping that Donovan is safe and well and just needed a break.

If there is anything we can do to help please let us know.

Prayers for Donovan and his family and friends.

[packy]

Welcome and thanks for updating the pictures, lordcalvert. Was hoping there would be some news of him by now. So puzzling.

[TigressPen]

Thanks for the pic of Bean, LordCalvert. Welcome to HFTM. I pray Mr. Potts and Bean are found soon and they are safe.

[lordcalvert]

Thanks for the pic of Bean, LordCalvert. Welcome to HFTM. I pray Mr. Potts and Bean are found soon and they are safe.


THANK YOU ALL FROM LORDCALVERT I CREATED http://www.finddonpotts.ne1.net/ HE IS A FRIEND AND A OLD CLASS MATE OFF MINE

[packy]

I visited you website, LordCalvert, and you have done a great job for your friend.

Couldn't find any news that he has been found so far.

From the Cedar County News. He is mentioned in the year in review article.

http://hartington.net/?p=2121

The hunt for missing man is still going on
HARTINGTON — The search for a missing area man has widened, Cedar County law enforcement officials say.
Donavon Potts, 46, rural Crofton, was last seen in Crofton Nov. 20. He was last seen leaving Fritz’s Bar in Crofton in his blue 1999 F-150 pickup. His license plate is 13-FARM-2581.
He has not been seen since.

[sarahhod]

Missing Siouxland Man Case Remains A Mystery

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 04:47 AM

Updated: Jan 22, 2009 04:47 AM

http://www.kcautv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9712882&nav=1kgl


Missing Siouxland Man Case Remains A Mystery
Nearly two months after her husband's disappearance, Betty Potts of Crofton, Nebraska is staying dedicated to keeping his case alive, as the search continues for 46-year-old Don Potts.

Nearly two months after her husband's disappearance, Betty Potts of Crofton, Nebraska is staying dedicated to keeping his case alive.

It was November 20, just days before Thanksgiving, and Don and Betty Potts had plans to go on a hunting trip together, but then Don disappeared, and his whereabouts, remain a mystery.

Betty will never forget the last conversation she had with her husband, and she never knew how much three little words would mean to her in the coming days.

"He just gets a little twinkle in his eye, and a funny little smile, and He says, ' I'm only going to say this once,' and he says, 'I love you.'"

That night, Betty made Don dinner like she did every night. But Don, never came home.

"Everybody I could think of I was calling, 'We can't find Don, we can't find Don!" says Betty.

More than 60 days since his disappearance, search parties have been putting northeast Nebraska under the magnifying glass, looking for any clue's of Don's whereabouts.

Authorities say Don was last seeing leaving Fritz's Bar in Crofton. He was wearing a plaid shirt, blue pants, brown boots and a baseball cap.

He drove a 1999 blue Ford F-150 farm pickup, with a chrome grill guard and a black tool box in the back. His license plate is 13-2581.

But most importantly, by his side was his loyal black and white blue heeler, named Bean.

Betty says Don always had a special place in his heart for farm life, and tha'ts why she can't piece together his disappearance.

"He's not the type of man to just leave. He has a family business. He loves his cattle. He never misses his chores," says Betty.

It remains a mystery, but family and friends are determined to keep Don's case more than just a missing person's file.

"Somebody, somewhere knows something. They may not know they know, but they do. If this would jog a memory of something, maybe they saw something on the highway, or just seen something that would help us to find him," says Patty Platenberg, a family friend.

Until Betty can hold her husband's hand again, she wears his wedding band and an angel pendant he gave her, on a chain close to her heart.

"I will not give up. I just believe in my heart there is an answer. I just want him to come home. I want him to come home," says Betty, with tears in her eyes.

She says she speaks with authorities every day, going over leads and clues to Don's disappearance. But she's asking for everyone's help to locate Don.

If you have any information, contact the Cedar County Sheriff's Office or the Nebraska State Patrol.

There has also been a website that is updated with the latest information on the case:

http://www.finddonpotts.ne1.net/

[packy]

I wonder if they have checked animal shelters persistently in case the dog was found.

My prayers go up for his wife and family.

[TigressPen]

This is one of those threads I open often with hopes some good news has been posted.

[sarahhod]

Authorities still searching for missing Crofton man

5:45 PM

By Molly Montag
mmontag@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 CROFTON, Neb. -- Authorities say a northeast Nebraska man has not been found more than two months after he was reported missing.

Donavon Potts, 46, of Crofton, was reported missing Nov. 21 when he did failed to take care of his livestock that morning.

Several area law-enforcement agencies and volunteers launched an extensive search for Potts, who is described as a 6-foot, 190-pound white man with blue eyes and brown hair. He is believed to have his black-and-white blue heeler dog with him.

Police say he drives a blue 1999 Ford F150 pickup truck with a chrome grill guard on the front with a tan two-tone accent over the rear fenders.

Cedar County sheriff deputy Gary Kinney said this evening that officials have not found Potts, his dog or his vehicle.

Anyone with information about Potts' whereabouts or who has seen his vehicle can call the Cedar County Sheriff's Office at (402) 254-6884 or the Nebraska State Patrol at (402) 370-3456.

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2009/01/23/news/latest_news/212cf17a1974b109862575470082971c.txt

[lordcalvert]

Sioux City Journal
Crofton man, 46, still missing
Posted: Saturday, January 24, 2009
CROFTON, Neb. -- Authorities say a northeast Nebraska man has not been found more than two months after he was reported missing.

Donavon Potts, 46, of Crofton, was reported missing Nov. 21 when he failed to take care of his livestock that morning.

Several area law-enforcement agencies and volunteers launched an extensive search for Potts, who is described as a 6-foot, 190-pound white man with blue eyes and brown hair. He is believed to have his black-and-white blue heeler dog with him.

Police say he drives a blue 1999 Ford F150 pickup truck with a chrome grill guard on the front with a tan two-tone accent over the rear fenders. Nebraska plate 13-2581

Cedar County sheriff deputy Gary Kinney said Friday that officials have not found Potts, his dog or his vehicle.

Anyone with information about Potts' whereabouts or who has seen his vehicle can call the Cedar County Sheriff's Office at (402) 254-6884 or the Nebraska State Patrol at (402) 370-3456.

-- Molly Montag

[packy]

No update for Donovan.

[packy]

Was hoping for some news about this case but the latest entry I found led me back to this site. I did see that the website was updated on 2/21. It's good to keep Donovan's story out there and I hope they are posting flyers where they can.

[packy]

No updates and still listed as missing at the Nebraska State Patrol site. http://www.nsp.state.ne.us/missingpersons/missing.cfm?PageNum_Subjects=6&LNAME=&GENDER=2&FNAME=&RACE=1&SORT=1&AGE=1&AGENCY=All

[alley]

Here's the latest......too bad it wasn't a happier ending, but at least the family can have some peace.

http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/42455932.html

[Faith]

Here's the latest......too bad it wasn't a happier ending, but at least the family can have some peace.

http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/42455932.html

Missing Crofton Man Found Dead
Crofton
Posted: 8:41 PM Apr 3, 2009
Last Updated: 8:41 PM Apr 3, 2009
Reporter: KOLNKGIN
Email Address: desk@kolnkgin.com

The body of a Crofton man reported missing more than four months ago has been recovered from a pond near Crofton.

At approximately 2:30 Friday afternoon the Nebraska State Patrol in Norfolk received a call from someone who reported finding pieces of a vehicle and a license plate in a field southeast of Crofton. Investigators responded to the scene and determined the license plate belong to a pickup driven by a the missing man, 47-year-old Donovan Potts.

Patrol officers later found Potts' 1999 Ford pickup partially submerged in a muddy pond a quarter mile off County Road 888, a half mile southeast of Crofton. The bodies of Potts and his dog were also discovered in the water.

"At this time it appears Mr. Potts died as a result of the vehicle crash," said Troop B, Investigative Services Lieutenant Randy Morehead. "we have scheduled an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Until that time our investigation will continue."

Potts went missing November 21st, 2008, having last been seen on the evening of November 20, in Crofton.

[Faith]

Rip :1222423::1222423::1222423:

[annalyzer]

RIP Donovan and Bean :1222423::1222423:

[packy]

I was hoping it would not end this way. I wonder was the pond on one of his usual routes, close to a road, in a secluded area.

May Donovan and Bean rest in peace now. My condolences to his family and friends.

[sarahhod]

Rest in Peace Donovan.

:1222423::1222423::1222423:

[sarahhod]

Potts Family 'relieved', finds closure

April 5, 2009 04:41 AM

http://ktiv.images.worldnow.com/images/static/video/gfx/icon_video.gif (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:playVideo%28%273620975%27,%20%27Family%20find s%20closure%20in%20missing%20persons%20case%27,%20 %27v%27,%20%27News%27,%20%2758367%27,%20%27News%27 ,%20%27%27,%20%27%27,%27flv%27%29;) Family finds closure in missing persons case (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:playVideo%28%273620975%27,%20%27Family%20find s%20closure%20in%20missing%20persons%20case%27,%20 %27v%27,%20%27News%27,%20%2758367%27,%20%27News%27 ,%20%27%27,%20%27%27,%27flv%27%29;) http://ktiv.images.worldnow.com/images/static/gfx/pxl_trans.gif

http://ktiv.images.worldnow.com/images/10131828_BG1.jpg http://ktiv.images.worldnow.com/images/static/gfx/pxl_trans.gif

CROFTON, Neb. (KTIV) - His disappearance remained a mystery for months. Now, Don Potts' family no longer has to wonder what happened to the 47-year old Crofton, Nebraska man that seemed to vanish into thin air last November.
His body was recovered from a muddy pond in the middle of a field Friday afternoon. His partially submerged pick-up and the remains of his dog Bean were found nearby.
Authorities believe Potts died in a crash.
In the weeks following his disappearance, hundreds of volunteers searched miles of farm field. That search even crossed state lines. However, Potts was just half a mile outside of town.
"It was a spot that was very hard to get to. You wouldn't think a pickup could get there. How it could be so close to us, that's the worst thing. It was right under our nose the whole time," says brother Chad.
The family has always said the hardest part was not knowing.
Potts brother says they felt relieved when they got the news, and will begin searching for closure as they wait for autopsy results to tell them exactly how this tragedy happened.


http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10131828

[packy]

Thanks for the update, Sarah. I hope they can reconstruct the accident in order to find out how it happened. Now at least the family knows and I believe too that the worst part is not knowing, always wondering and hoping.

[annalyzer]

Thanks for the update, Sarah. I hope they can reconstruct the accident in order to find out how it happened. Now at least the family knows and I believe too that the worst part is not knowing, always wondering and hoping.

I just don't understand how so many people are ending up in a body of water. How could someone accidentally drive into a pond in the middle of a field? What was he doing driving in a field? I just don't get it.

[packy]

I just don't understand how so many people are ending up in a body of water. How could someone accidentally drive into a pond in the middle of a field? What was he doing driving in a field? I just don't get it.

One article said it was about a quarter mile off the roadway, so could a vehicle have veered that far.