Have you seen Jonathan Spollen? Missing in Rishikesh since February 3rd, 2012

Really? I believe, all postings show care, concern & are helpful if only for keeping this thread 'alive'.

Please contact the family @ findspollen(at)gmail.com,david green100(at)xtra.co.nz, lyndaspollen(at)eircom.net for details as to further/pertinent police evidence and/or to offer your personal services/expertise to the search.



Where did you get your data from? Are you a wildlife biologist by profession?

The fact is leopards, in particular, are very opportunistic & have been known to lurk/hunt in thick wooded areas adjacent/close to human populations.

According to the source below & in Uttarakhand , 'over the last 10 years 210 people have been killed by leopards and 350 have been injured in attacks.' That region has been notorious over the years for harboring aggressive cats.

That's not to say the same fate has befallen Jon ..... but to schluff if off completely having such striking statistics from that region - might be considered a tad 'loose'.




http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/hu...leopards-60491

Hi Tom,

That is brilliant news, you’re a legend. On the ground search help is just what is needed. I think there may be someone on the ground at the moment to direct you to the place his gear was found. Please contact David or Lynda I believe they have plenty of information to give you.

Do you know the area? Head to the waterfalls from Laxmanjhula, it’s the main hang out as Rishikesh town itself is hussle bussle dusty mayhem.

Some of the details you asked about. He went to Haridwar to take a night train to Delhi 3rd of Feb, changed his mind and went back to Rishikesh by bus. Bus ticket was found with his wet gear 11th of March along with passport and a small amount of money. Then days later, dry papers were found 1km up hill from where his stuff was found. He withdrew money twice late January, his parents will give you the exact number but I think it was 25k rupees. Not a lot for five months, not for me anyway.

It’s a very nice part of the planet, there are three waterfalls in total to enjoy.

I hear about tigers and wild animals but never see them. I know a local man living there 40 years, he has only seen one tiger and that swam down the Ganga, got out at Laxmanjhula and ran across the road into the forest. He said they hunt calves at night. Nice idea to buy a walking stick as a monkey deterrent and carry two stones; cheeky creatures and plenty of them.

Tom, have a great trip and enjoy yourself.
Dermot
Ps. I know you probably know this, but it is highly recommended that you trek with other people.

Not tigers .... leopards. Think spots not stripes. Big difference in character too. All kinds of sightings in that region. The rafting outfitters often implement the potential for these cat sightings into their advertising.

Hey All,

Leopards are a danger in the hills , I recently stayed up in the hills in Jageshwar for some time and locals were telling me to be careful while out walking. In the end I carried some fire crackers to set off and a catapult and kept my eyes alert ! It helped that I was walking with others but you can never be to sure. Friends have Tibetan Mastiff dogs, huge things the size of a lion, and they wore big metal collars with spikes on because in the past they have got into fights with the Leopards in the area, one being injured once hence the collars.

I would like to say I follow this thread and all kinds of emotions come up, I know most people feel the same and give time and effort to their posts that shows the depth of feeling of how they care. I was in Haridwar the same time as Jonathan and I have gone over and over my memory to see if I remember seeing him, and because it feels so close to home for me I wish I had so I could give some news, and I guess this is how we all feel...

For Jonathans parents, keep strong, and wishing you news soon.

for the more details. The leopards at uttarkhand are maybe not all placed at Laksman. Rafting companies promise a lot, not only at India. I will see the leopards later at trekking. Armed with camera for the good ones, something else for the others, hope not to need. I like this wonderful animals. Thanks for the info about money and the trip to Haridwar and back. Does anyone know more about the 2 trekking trails?
I can hardy believe a person with the stones, a little bit injured at the first trek, ace of the stones, leaves to another trek instead of flying back to home asap. I wouldnt say trek to a few kilometer walk and stay over night at a near waterfall. Something happened more i guess.

Thanks and see you soon here
tom

I though I found someone who looked similar in my bus journey to Kasol in May 2nd week and they were having a Trans music festival over that weekend. My frnd spoke to that guy and i think he said he was from France. But i cant be positive if it was the same person!

I'm sure there are many people who look like J hanging about in Kasol. But Kasol & higher up the Parvati valley,pulga/Kalga,Tosh are definitely places where a westerner can disappear without anyone asking questions. Did you notice any posters about Jonathon in Kasol?KK

I'll put a link to this thread on FaceBook to be shared. Who knows, it might be seen by somebody who knows him.

I return here everyday hoping to hear some news on Jonathan. It's gone a bit quiet in here. Also, it's been a while since we had an update from David and Lynda. Hope you guys are holding up well under the circumstances.

I would have thought there might have been a police update on the case by now ..... especially since and according to the last major news article that they were still diligently knocking on ashram/accomodation doors. What's happeneded with all that?

But nothing ... it's sort of like they'd prefer if these foreign, higher profile disappearances faded slowly out of the public light. Rather odd.

It isn't really odd Peak, i would say there's no preferences involved, merely how it is. It's not like CSI Rishikesh even exists.

The authorities have had the pressure applied, and when that pressure is exerted, in the Indian style of investigation, information is on the whole, extracted - if there is information to be had! There's a sea of cases every day which is overwhelming, and y'all know India enough to understand that the focus shifts rapidly; resolution, closure, what happened? goes largely unknown.

No doubt we all empathise.

We can be sure that David or Lynda would inform if they felt they had anything of substance to report. Heart-breakingly there isn't any news. Expectations are limited, yet hopes naturally remain. It's a torturous place to be.

Yes, but this is an unusual case where a foreigner vanished without a trace & the police have gone on record & with a statement that (conveniently/predictably?) placed the least amount of pressure on them - saying that:

That's all fine but don't leave us hanging, what's the aftermath of all this alleged door banging? Just a small update by now - would be professional, standard & helpful for the ongoing search - in any part of the world one would think.

It seems blatantly obvious beyond having to reason it out any further Peak, that the Police having nothing to offer up and it is likely going to stay that way.

Accepting this is difficult obviously, but good, bad, right wrong are irrelevant judgments. No news is not at all good news.

Fine, then just a press release to say so.

As it stands now, they are only on record as 'herding' him into the '“renunciation fuelled by spiritual awakening” & 'wanting to disappear' categories ... which, correct me if I'm wrong, are euphemisms in lieu of calling him an outright 'visa overstaying criminal'.

That's a bit annoying to leave the door slightly ajar & with that kind of a final statement issue. Albeit, it conveniently reduces the heat on their backsides & the travel industry in general. I haven't drank that kool-aid yet.

Also, if they really did all the door knocking & ashram searching that they claimed they were going to do - then - at the very least they could give a very brief update as to their investigation hence & if they still feel he is hiding out somewhere .... or not. That's all. Simple media relations stuff that the international community expects & would be grateful for.

I don't think the authorities there ever gave out no press releases, they were merely quoted in some articles when they were actively asked about it.

Sorry, Peak, but I still think you don't know how to read the media right.

I guess no news here is indeed painfully bad news. I hope David & Lynda and others involved are coping. Let's hope and trust they will be in one of these days to give us whatever lowdown.