Missing Man’s Vehicle Located in Hopland
Press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (MSCO) is seeking the public’s assistance on a missing persons case.
MCSO was contacted by the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) regarding Derek Weidner, a 25-year-old male who is possibly suicidal. Derek is from Webster, Texas and was last seen on Friday evening, 7/19/19, around 10:00 pm at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds RV Park, 1500 Ashton Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA. Derek was in the Sonoma area doing electrical line work for a private company.
Derek is 6’3″ 290 lbs with brown eyes, black hair, heavy build with a beard.
On Saturday morning, 7/20/19, the missing person’s vehicle, a 2015 grey GMC Denali pickup, Illinois license plate #1242790B, was located at milepost marker 6.70, South Highway 101 in Hopland, CA.
An officer from CHP – Ukiah located the vehicle early Saturday morning but at the time there had not been a missing persons report filed.
The MCSO and the CHP have been searching the area with a CHP helicopter as well as with CHP officers, Sheriff’s Deputies and K-9s. A more extensive search with the Mendocino County Search and Rescue (SAR) team is scheduled for tomorrow in and around the area where the vehicle was located, using trailing dogs and ground teams.
We ask anyone with any information that could help find the location of Derek Weidner to contact the Santa Rosa Police Department at (707) 543-3600.
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The amount of your compassion fills my cup to overflowing.
Let me first apologize to his family and loved ones for the unnecessary vitriol voiced by someone with a dead heart.
Ok Trump Jr! Guess what, your county is always in the top 5 out of 58 counties for most suicides, not suprisingly lots of those suicides are locals born with mental illness on local soil, multiple locals even committed suicide to avoid jail sentences for crimes they committed(including murdering their entire family).
But many prayers to you, no decent healthy happy human being would be capable of writing those words, so prayers for you and your soul. May you find happiness, respect and the bare minimum of a decency required to be a good person.
Many prayers for Humboldt, lots of egotistical localist that will never find happiness because they are too wrapped up in their own self serving bubble, be a contribution and find fullfillment.
Please be kind…suicidal/mental illness has no place here! What does is FACTS he is loved and needs to be found.
Unless any person on here or any other article was told directly from a family member that he was not well it should not be assumed.
FACT is he is missing! FACT is he is being searched for! FACT is he is loved. FACT is he needs to be found. FACT is any information pertaining to the case should be called into the Santa Rosa PD. FACTs are FACTS not assumptions, theories, gossip or political rhetoric that has no business here!
He’s on an electric line crew for a contractor that works all over the country. These guys spend most of their time on the road going from place to place for their company. I did it for over 10 yrs and it can be tough never being at home especially when you get assigned a job in an area where the locals aren’t to friendly. I knew more than a few guys who “lost their minds” from the stress of it.
Please be kind with your words “lost their minds”. He maybe lost but no family has posted anything about him other than he is loving and we’re trying to safely locate him. Please do not assume everything you read in the media or posted to a website is correct. Be kind’
He’s here to rebuild, and fix your states screwed up electrical system to try and help reduce the amount of wildfires caused by power lines. This state has enough wackjobs already counting it’s residents to be throwing around accusations like that.
Wayne just because you live here doesn’t mean this is your Goddamn area. This man has the same rights as you and me and every other citizen of this country to come and go or even stay in this area or any area of the U.S. as he pleases. Maybe you should consider exercising that right.
God doesn’t have a last name but if He didn’t it wouldn’t be damn.
Wayne, Derek is a citizen of the United States and can go where he pleases. What’s the matter [edit], triggered by the name Texas. I’ve spent some time in that state, with California plates, and was always treated in a welcoming and respectful manner. [edit]
So was I. They found a guy I just found online in Mississippi that looks an awful lot like the mp but the height is off by a good 4 inches or more but hopefully they measured that and not just guessing
Listen Wayne guy or whatever don’t talk bout him like that he trying help u and he not even cause no trouble trust me Ik him don’t say nothing like that no more Wayne
All of us hope he is located safe soon. Some of us are just jack ass ignorant thoughtless individuals who have a lot of trouble with being conscientious or kind. But deep down …. he looks like a nice person and I have no doubt that he is missed and loved. Thank you to any one who has or ever chooses to utilize their own time to make sure that an important project gets accomplished Especially when we are in need of a lot of them. We have had to watch a lot of suffering if we ourselves were not directly at loss of our family members, our homes or friends vehicles belongings and memories…even pets. We all know at least 3 people who have been directly affected.
We apologize for Wayne’s poor behavior.
Wayne ur low life piece of crap for saying this
Love reading this as we try to find a friend. He’s just here for work and happens to be troubled. Get a life.
Wayne, I will say a prayer for you!! I know Derek’s family and they are great people! It breaks my heart to hear this! Prayers for this family!
What the f**k is wrong with you!!! I don’t know this guy but he doesn’t look like a junkie criminal coming up here to wreak havoc, if he’s a lineman then he’s a hard worker with a real job. Judging by the way you think you sound like a miserable person Wayne. I would rather have this guy around then your sorry a** so why don’t you do everyone a favor and leave[edit]. To the family, don’t listen to that jerk off, there’s more people around here that care about your loved one than not. I hope he’s found safe.
Thank you he is not a junkie or a criminal he is smart, intelligent, funny, successful, caring, and did well in school. He would give you the shirt off his back if he thought it would help.
We heard Derek was missing while staying at the Fairgrounds. Saw first hand the concern and compassion of the men who work with him. They had all been out searching. Derek, you are greatly loved and missed!
As his cousin first and foremost he’s NOT a whack job. He is a teddy bear with a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone including a person who might make hurtful comments because he’s the bigger person. Second of all he travels because of his job as a lineman keeping your electricity on. 3rd he is a born/bred US citizen so he can travel wherever he chooses whenever he chooses.
His Dad is my Uncle as family we would appreciate compassion and help locating him not ridiculous comments that are mean, spiteful, hurtful and untrue. Not to mention the stress it causes for those that read them because yours is SMACK at the top. He is loved, he is missed and needs to be located safely and quickly.
Have a blessed day in your perfect life.
Southeast Illinois Weidner’s are praying for you all.
Any update? My husband is a member of the IBEW here in Northern Ca. And my daughter just graduated from lineman school. His story and your family has kept me praying and thinking about him. I can’t find any updates.
Jennifer, my heart aches for your family. I live and work in Santa Rosa and kept and eye out when we are out and have shared your post on FB. Is there any other ways we can help? I check your FB page and Google everyday to look for updates.
Wayne’s comments should be deleted. Wayne needs a time out.
Agree 150%
Do you realize he is here doing lineman work you [edit]!!!!!
I agree!!! Probably up on the hill growing weed! Leave him be!!
No…chino that’s your job.
[edit] He was working providing electricity to your ass! These guys are the reason why you have power after fires rip through your area , [edit]
You know he’s a lineman, aka first responder with a dangerous job. Travels the country leaving his loved ones to restore YOUR power so you have the comfort of ac and cable tv after natural disasters, and to replace old lines to prevent future fires and tragedy? You know most of us lineman wives lay awake at night with our kids, praying for the safety of our husbands when they are called to places like California to restore your comfort after a huge fire while we are left alone in sacrifice in order for you to be able to watch HBO? God bless you sir, I do pray for your salvation when Jesus calls each of us home.
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—- a lineman’s wife who’s man is out on the same team side by side as your so called whack job.
No. I have to go on and say that I personally was so elated for the restoration of our power that I was just in heaven … screwHBO. We were dying of heat stroke. And our little babies were sick and wheezing from all that smoke in the air .all the food in our house went bad cause we didn’t have any generator. The ATMs in town were all emptied , the gas stations were out of gas closed down… and there was not a scrap of ice ANYWHERE. Trust I looked. We appreciate your loved ones and not all of us are such rude and inconsiderate people.
He is electrical lineman. You hate electricity?
Can someone please remove Wayne from this? Derek is an outdoorsman, is loved by his family and friends and is in need of help. He has come to California to help us with the electrical problems that have caused wildfires throughout California. A little gratitude would be nice you jackass!! Not to mention his family is distraught with worry and concern. God help you that no one you love or care about find danger while traveling.
This man is suffering and needs help and compassion. This is very sad to think of his family and friends who are so worried. Your comments, Wayne are incredibly cruel.. We are all human and free to move around and experience new places. Do you think we should build a wall around our state?
Humboldtians like to indulge in a common trend of bashing Trump and Trump supporters, while exhibiting his number one trait of egotistically thinking people not born here don’t deserve the same type of opportunities that people in Humboldt have.
I for example was supposed to suffer with being stuck in a city instead of a beautiful countryside and working for only 5.15 an hour in an area with no entertainment or opportunities for advancement in life because I’m a subpar human being for not exiting my mother on Humboldt soil.
Love the hippycrites of Humboldt, permaglued to their high horses. The co-owner of Humboldt Ridgetop Organics even told me not to let the proverbial door hit me on the way out when I complained about the poor ethics in Humboldt encouraging a lot of sensitive souls to commit suicide. Then he researched me online found my cell phone number and started attacking me from being from Texas, saying it says a lot about me being from a Trump supporting State and I should go back to where I came from. The sheer ignorance that goes into behaving like a trump supporter while bashing me for being from a red State while I showed zero signs of being a trump supporter. So many winners, so grateful I’m back in Sonoma county where they treat people like they’re equals. I can’t believe I survived a decade around Humboldtians, say’s a lot about how strong I am but I’m so grateful I don’t have to overcome how y’all treat people anymore. My trucks happy to, about 7 hit-and-runs in the Safeway parking lot while I work there in a mere six months. Lots of people who have zero idea what it’s like to take responsibility, every single one of you born on local soil need to take a look at yourself and how your friends treat people who immigrated there. Take a look at your privileged that you did not earn, your parents worked to be in that county, you didn’t, don’t act like you’re better than others because of your privilege.
I hope somehow this guy is okay, Santa Rosa people are almost as polite as southern hospitality but if he was hurting without a light at the end if the tunnel it could still be hard time power through. Prayers to him and his family.
I have seen a lot of what you are saying. I’m sorry you were treated that way…We were very lucky to be here. From the 70s until now that gratefulness somehow evolved into a self-righteous smug and entitlement. It is disgusting. However…we are not all like that. A lot of good folks still here and I’m sorry if you didn’t make those connections. Your blanket judgement of our people is exactly what you are criticizing. I find that to be spot where the extreme Trumpsters and the hippycrites are the same and I don’t care for that attitude coming from either side!
I hope they find this guy and he is safe.
My heart goes out to this young man and his family. Praying for strength, blessings and peace from God.
I get so annoyed with people who are judgmental asses. I’m 5th generation north Ca, and I’ve never begrudged anyone coming to or enjoying the area. Sure, I wish it was like it was 50
years ago in terms of Lifestyle, population numbers and open space. I was lucky to be born here. Now some folks who’ve been here 10 yrs act like they own the place and are superior to tourists or newcomers or folks that come here to do a job.
Since when does it show any intelligence to judge and critique someone based on where they come from, or who they vote for? How ignorant! Depraved people put others down to feel better about their broken selves. It says more about the person judging than the object of their ridicule.
I am so sorry for Derek and his family. Praying for all.
Ahh man hope they find him safe& sound!
He’s the same age as my nephew & Son… so scary
Praying
Wayne:
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Second, don’t speak for me or other locals. The majority of us have nothing but positive thoughts and prayers for this man and his family!
He is not a wack job, as you so eloquently put it. He is a child of God who is hurting. He needs prayers, not evil put downs. Obviously, you need them, too.
First, I would like to apologize to Derek’s family and friends for this guy, Wagner’s comment. That’s not what you need to hear right now while your looking for your family member.
But, with a attitude like his, I’m sure he’s having a miserable life.
My prayers that you find him safe. God Bless
Thank you…
Ik him personally he went highschool with my brother he a nice man and caring please find him
He’s not suicidal
He isnt? Then does anyone else have any information on any other people who he might have been in contact with locally in the area where he was last known to be?? I’m sure confused. I am ALWAYS looking for people who have been missing sadly in the places I really hope they are not. Like the sites where unidentified people are listed. Its a very important part of my job. I don’t know if anyone can offer me any extra insight or information in that area but I am offering my service on my down time to at least assist in helping..even from my home.
I am familiar with santa rosa clear up to garberville been here all my life. I have many groups of friends who also have many different groups of friends who have…so on and so forth. You know what I mean? I know it isnt much but I would like to offer what I’m able. If someone leaves me a name which I can attempt to make contact with I will be in touch and that’s one to 500 extra sets of eyes.
Webster, Texas is right up the road from Galveston, one of Texas’ premier areas and right on the Gulf Coast. I hope he gets to see home, again.
Do people from Galveston see themselves as distinct from Texas much like the way Humboldtians are about California?
Wayne’s a damn newcomer that fancies himself as old Humboldt lol
99% of the people here pray and/or wish for your safe return. Please don’t be bothered by the 1%. They don’t represent the people of this area who are so loving and hopeful that this man is found unharmed and in good mental and physical health. We love to see the community come together, the love, searches and outpouring of support for human beings, whether they are from here or some other beautiful place in this Nation. There is more then enough tragedy in this area, we don’t like to see visitors, workers, or locals missing, hurt or lost. I hope this man is found and soon, for his families peace of mind, and I hope he had taken in some of the beauty of this area and found peace in the nature that surrounds him. There is obviously a family loving and Hoping and waiting for some good news. Be kind in your comments. They deserve all our love and support. I can’t imagine being out of state and searching for a loved one in unfamiliar lands like we have. It must be overwhelming.
I’m a lineman 21 years journeyman and I just wiped my tears. I have lost a child and I can feel the pain the mother and father are haveing. I don’t know Derek personally but I can tell you from a lineman point of view. He is a tuff ass man. Nothing going to stop him lineman don’t give up . Also fellow lineman need to come together and gather at his trucks last known location and come together come all line workers. Power,Telco,cable don’t matter who you are . You work on the line get out there and find this great guy. Lineman down let’s help him out
Also if anyone has connections with anyone who might have access to databases such as health and human services, child support, courts, jails, etc…those can also be helpful in general or skip tracing and tracking information from the social security number.
Maybe a private investigator out of san Francisco or ask the investigations office to determine whether or not they are willing to ask that the FBI assist . In Hopland I feel that it would be very possible that his vehicle could have been not placed there by him personally unless there’s evidence of him being there, I would be very careful about failing to use extra thorough networking in that specific area and have the road between hopland and lake county searched extensively immediately
To his family, I pray for his safe return, I have lived here 50 yrs and been through this same experience myself looking for loved one, and my family member had run out of gas along Highway , and got a ride for help! What will tell a lot is if his truck was locked n he took keys? That alone says someone cares about there. Vehicle and plans to return, if it was out of gas, he probably got into a vehicle
Many prayers for his family. Praying he returns home safely very soon! My husband is a member of IBEW as a telephone lineman and we are also from southern Illinois. As for the lunatic that posted above ignore him, he’s obviously ignorant!
Not much infomation . He dont look suicidal. Could he have been mistaken for a cop? Near wrong property. Or Lured from a Bar ? He looks like a hard worker and took pride in takeing care of himself. Smart maybe he tried to help someone and it got worse. He looks smart like he can take care of himself unless out numbered. Hire someone not afraid to investigate. Or keep praying .