First, let me say that this blog is a travel blog and does not usually cover stories about missing persons. This is something that I did write about, given the airline industry connection. It was something I looked into almost every day for the first few months after the incident. Recently, it has been something I have checked on every other week.It is a popular story that has been read by many readers. Every so often, I receive a message asking for an update. Since it has been over a year since that event, I thought I would share the most recent information, particularly since there is some new information that I have made public.One year has passed since a United Airlines executive went missing. There is still no sign of him. Although more details are being released, they have only added to the confusion, rather than making things clearer.Before we move on to the latest, please contact Elmhurst Police Department at (630-530-3050) if you have any questions.What is missing United executive?Jake Cefolia, 49 years old, was United Airlines Senior Vice president of Worldwide Sales. He was fired from the United Airlines company leadership page in October 2020. Cefolia had been with the airline since 2007 and he led a team that included up to 725 employees.Cefolia was reported missing on Saturday August 8, 2020. Cefolia was last seen Thursday, August 6, 2020. The Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve was where his car was found, just a few miles from his Elmhurst home. Volunteers and police searched the area but couldn't find any clues.Details about Cefolias disappearanceIt has been almost a year since the investigation began. Let me recap the highlights, or at least the information that has been made publicly public.Here's what I understand of the timeline, which was made public by a combination statements from the police and FOIA requests.Cefolia flew to San Francisco to celebrate his girlfriend's birthday on August 4. The girlfriend claimed that she broke up with Cefolia but she wanted to be together again. She said that he made no concerning comments but was drinking more than usual.Cefolia was allegedly having an affair with a second woman. He communicated with her on August 6, but she did not hear from him until August 7, and they missed the August 8 dinner.Cefolia, who was intoxicated, returned to California on August 6th. He had dinner at home with his family.Cefolia was not able to attend a corporate event on August 7. However, he was captured on video filling up with gas at 9:15AM (his last credit-card transaction) and entering Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in hiking boots and khakis.The car was found parked in a gravel lot. A search did not reveal any suspicious items. It had golf clubs and a first aid kit.As his Apple Watch and cell phone were both located at home, he didn't bring any traceable devices.Cefolia was reported missing on August 8.Cefolias family hired an investigator private detective on August 10.Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve has been searched by police and volunteers several times. While some clothing was found, they were not linked to Cefolia.Here are some more points to consider:Cefolias ex-wife claimed that he once fantasized about being off the grid.Cefolia was trying sell his Elmhurst house. It went on the market June 16, saw a price drop on July 16 and a further reduction on August 4. (two days before he disappeared); it finally sold on November 5.Cefolia was filmed filling up his tank before he went to Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve. He spent $59.50, which suggests that he was actually going to Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve to pick up his car. (His Range Rover Sport can be seen in distance for the second part of the video).frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen>Cefolia was the subject of a criminal investigationIn recent months, more details about Cefolia have been revealed. This adds a new dimension to the story. From the beginning, we knew that Cefolia was being investigated for criminal offences. Recent revelations have revealed that Cefolia was being criminally investigated by police. They executed a search warrant at Cefolia's home on the day he disappeared. He had dinner with his family the previous day and looked intoxicated. The warrant was allegedly to search for and gather/package evidence.We don't know the purpose of the criminal investigation or if it was related to his work.Bottom lineFor over a year, a United Airlines executive has been unaccounted for. Although he has not been seen in person since August 6, 2019, he was captured on video filling up with gas and then entering Waterfall Glen Forest Reserve.Since his disappearance, updates have been made that make it even more complicated. They point to contradicting conclusions. My thoughts and prayers are with Cefolia's family, friends, and especially his children. It must have been difficult to cope with all this uncertainty.
