[UPDATE Monday] Search and Rescue Conducting Operations Today After Potter Valley Man Goes Missing

PJ Bruggeman JuniorPotter Valley man, PJ Bruggeman, Jr., was last seen on Thursday, July 15, 2021 near his home, according to his partner, Mindy. He has not been seen since. Considered “at-risk” by the Nixle Alert issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

Bruggeman is 5′ 11”, 160 pounds, has blonde dreadlocks and multiple tattoos. One note of particular concern is Bruggeman reportedly left home without his truck, wallet, and phone.

A Nixle Alert issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office early this morning indicates MCSO’s Search and Rescue will be searching in the area of Mid-Mountain Road in the area of Potter Valley with personnel both on foot and using off-road vehicles. The alert states the search operation will run from 8:00 a.m. this morning to sundown.

UPDATE 5:33 p.m.:

PJ Bruggeman, jr.

According to a Facebook post put out by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department,

Ronald Austin Bruggeman  was reported missing to the Sheriff’s Office on 07-17-2021 at 4:18 PM.

He was last seen on 07-15-2021 at 3:00 PM by his friends who were visiting his house located on a reported 120 acre parcel on Mid Mountain Road (approximately 8 miles to the east from East Road) in Potter Valley.

His disappearance may be related to a mental health crisis which was witnessed by friends prior to his disappearance.

He is believed to have went missing on the property with minimal or no clothing.

He is described as being a 35 year-old white male, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Attached is a recent photograph and his facial hair is now shorter than depicted in the photograph.

Anyone with information about his current whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office by calling 707-463-4086.

The Sheriff’s Office is continuing search efforts on the property while being assisted by volunteers from the Mendocino County Search & Rescue Team.

UPDATE Monday: Missing Potter Valley Man Found Deceased Under What the MCSO Characterized as an ‘Unusual Circumstance’

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39 Comments
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Bigfoot
Guest
Bigfoot
2 years ago

He went to grow weed obviously. You think this man has a real job

Nuttincowboy
Guest
Nuttincowboy
2 years ago
Reply to  Bigfoot

Your lack of humanity is almost as astonishing as the arrogance with which you present it. 🤬

Randy J Bowyer
Guest
Randy J Bowyer
2 years ago
Reply to  Nuttincowboy

He passed away

Mendo
Guest
Mendo
2 years ago
Reply to  Bigfoot

Deep rooted discrimination and hatred propagated by the constant anti-cannabis agenda and Keystone Coppers press releases have possibly made some of the anti-cannabis folks less than humane and less than human. Jus sayin’
Hope they find this man healthy and well. 🙏

Angela Robinson
Guest
Angela Robinson
2 years ago
Reply to  Bigfoot

He looks like a “pro” sports fisherman to me.

J
Guest
J
2 years ago

Considering everything around him, including his hat has fish on it, I would consider that a logical, educated guess. Very refreshing Angela. This site needs more logical comments.

Courtney
Guest
Courtney
2 years ago
Reply to  J

Wow this is disgraceful. He was actually a very intelligent father who paid for two children to attend private school with multiple extra curricular activities. I am confused is growing cannabis not legal with a permit in California? So his life is worth less if he is a said cannabis grower!? Maybe you should get some counseling. There are plenty of really good therapists in the area that can help you with whatever this is, jealously? I mean down right odd. Good luck to you. And yeah he won multiple fishing tournaments. He actually was known very well in his community for his fishing skills. But people who fish can’t possibly grow cannabis!

Courtney
Guest
Courtney
2 years ago
Reply to  Courtney

A person with a soul asks how they can help? Can we start a meal train? What does this family need immediately to deal with this tragedy. But judging his looks, his job, his hobbies? It’s shocking people could be so heartless. Two children lost their dad. Your possibly a parent right? Put yourself in this mother
Mindys shoes. Think about how you effect others with your comments and is it worth be anything but purely kind in moments like these.

Cmc
Guest
Cmc
2 years ago

He is. An excellent one.

Mendo
Guest
Mendo
2 years ago
Reply to  Bigfoot

This Posts comments stinks of the hatred, envy, jealousy and lack of compassion that many of the local “anti-cannabis” folks who have been brainwashed and conditioned to absolutely hate any body and any thing that is alternative. These people simply think PJ’s life is less important since he has dreads. They project his life is less important because of his style and choice of clothing. Where is your humanity and love? This is the same insults, generalizations and discrimination. But what gets me most is the hatred and lack of humanity; this is how polarized and full of hatred the anti-cannabis folks are and how they have been for a long time. They literally hate people they dont know based on looks! Shame on all of you making negative comments…. shame on you for your hatred! This morning I read PJ was found deceased. My condolences to his wife and young children. The people making rude comments should be absolutely ashamed of thenselves.

Shawn Cherry
Guest
Shawn Cherry
2 years ago

[edit]

Nuttincowboy
Guest
Nuttincowboy
2 years ago
Reply to  Shawn Cherry

You know, Bigfoot’s odds are pretty sketchy.
After all, folks have been searching for him for generations.🙄

Dogneglect
Guest
Dogneglect
2 years ago

I hope he found alive and well. However….
..Typical defensive dope grower response to honest commentary from Bigfoot. Potter Valley is full of dope growers, his appearance is that of a dope grower( white guy with dreads and a smug look on his face), his social media doesn’t show he has a job, pictures on his fb page of him on charter boat fishing, which is indicative of a man that grows dope has lots of money and free time to go fishing and last but not least he’s a grateful dead fan , popular among dope growers. Therefore all signs point to dope grower related crime.

Angela Robinson
Guest
Angela Robinson
2 years ago
Reply to  Dogneglect

wow…

Ann Coulter is a Grateful Dead fan.

Smug? He has a big ole grin on his face because he caught a big ole fish.

His job may be fishing. Like a golf pro or a skier/snowboarder, if they are good enough. Does he have a bass boat? Probably. Does he have sponsors…he very well could.

Nothing, and I mean nothing in that picture would say “dope grower” except his dreads. And I know quite a few “kids” who have dreads that do all kinds of work. None of which is growing pot.

So you may want to recalibrate your judgement.

Cmc
Guest
Cmc
2 years ago
Reply to  Dogneglect

He is actually a professional fisherman which believe it or not, is an actual job. Cast your judgements aside and dread locks does not make a man a “dope grower.” Let’s hope someone you know does not go missing so the public cannot sit here and devalue their existence by passing smug judgements.

Help find PJ
Guest
Help find PJ
2 years ago
Reply to  Cmc

Amen!

Sheesh. Typical
Guest
Sheesh. Typical
2 years ago
Reply to  Dogneglect

He’s obviously a winery owner. Or a podiatrist. Cue the typical podiatrist, or toe nail specialist response: ” oh your just being prejudiced, and displaying your mean spirited ignorance, because all you see is a stranger in a photo with a fish!”.
Nobody with hair like that has a real job, like selling strip mall leases, or manufacturing ice cream, or managing turf for golf courses.

Lisa Sierra
Guest
Lisa Sierra
2 years ago
Reply to  Dogneglect

He’s actually a damn good tournament fisherman. Yes he’s considered “pro” fisherman because he knows what he’s doing and has been doing it for some time. And he’s a very nice guy. It’s sad to see others be so hateful about another human being that’s missing. Wait until it’s your family member and see if you feel the same. The fishing community sends their thoughts and regards to the family. Everyone hopes he’s found safe.

Jimmie
Guest
Jimmie
2 years ago
Reply to  Dogneglect

Bigfoot and Dogneglect: This is the first time I’ve ever even been to this website and I am flabbergasted at how insensitive and utterly ignorant you two sound. A tragedy has happened and this is what you have to say? What the hell is the matter with you man?

Ruth
Guest
2 years ago

This 70 year old woman doesn’t understand a lot of what is “ normal and acceptable “ in today’s world. Which is not meant as criticism just observation. It is also the way of the world. For me there are a lot of old sayings that can, if you let them, provide a good sense pathway in most of life’s choices.ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS! We all have to choose our own path forward and take responsibility for our actions. NOT always easy to do!

J
Guest
J
2 years ago
Reply to  Ruth

What’s your point? Are you tripping on his appearance or suspected lifestyle? [edit]

Kristen
Guest
Kristen
2 years ago

PJ is a Pro Bass Fisherman & a great one at that! Praying he is found safely – keeping PJ, his family & friends in our thoughts & prayers.

M
Guest
M
2 years ago

He’s a great guy and I hope he is found soon!

Martin
Guest
Martin
2 years ago

Sure looks like he loves to fish. I pray they will locate him and he will be fine. I am left wondering why he left home without his truck, wallet or phone.

Justin
Guest
Justin
2 years ago

All of you dumb ass people making judgment based on looks! He is a professional Bass fisherman you morons! And so what if he is a weed farmer or a vegetable farmer? He has a family that loves him and wants him home!! Ya’ll need Jesus in your life!

Martin
Guest
Martin
2 years ago
Reply to  Justin

Justin, I am not a dumb ass person. Read my comment above your please.

Kym Kemp
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Martin

Justin wasn’t replying to you, Martin. The comment was to everyone.

Please Think Before You Post
Guest
Please Think Before You Post
2 years ago

Please be sensitive. This is a devastating situation for the family. Remember a local young man disappeared off avenue of the giants two years ago under the exact circumstances and has not been found since. He left behind a wife and child. Anyone available to search should do so now. Prayers that he is found okay and comfort to the family.

Z
Guest
Z
2 years ago

I really hope he’s found safe and well soon! It’s a shame the alert to LE didn’t go out for 47 hours after his friends witnessed a mental health crisis. His family and friends must be worried sick. Conforting prayers for all concerned.

Wally
Guest
Wally
2 years ago

Hope he found a safe place to recover.
Super nice guy. One of the best pro bass fisherman around. Fully sponsored.
Empathy is not a bad thing. I have empathy for those that don’t have it.

Guest
Guest
Guest
2 years ago

Does he surf?
Saw a man that roughly fit this description at the cove this afternoon.
Running up the hill from the boat ramp.
I’m pretty sure he had a surf board.

Dan
Guest
Dan
2 years ago

My very wise and closest friend once said “The internet and social media can ruin the lives of those who struggle with basic reading comprehension and boundaries. The rest of us do okay.”

Researching before questioning a persons integrity or lifestyle tends to keep most out of the dangerous habit of shoving their feet into their mouths.

If you have a hard time or don’t know how to use Google. Are you really even living your best life?

(See what I did there by saying you don’t know how to use Google)

https://tourneyx.com/app/profile/Ron+bruggeman

His sponsors and fishing stats are listed in the link provided just above this sentence.

Hope he gets is bearings and finds his way home to his loved ones as soon as he possibly can. Prayers to PJ and his family.

Brian Phipps
Guest
Brian Phipps
2 years ago

I’m hearing he killed himself? Such a tragedy. Hope it’s just a rumor

Lotsa Smoothbrains Inhere
Guest
Lotsa Smoothbrains Inhere
2 years ago

Boomers have such good hot takes.

He has locks, he muuuuust be an unmotivated unemployable stoner with questionable morals…

Tell ya what, I’ve known plenty of folks with locks with REAL jobs, GOOD jobs, PROFESSIONAL setting type jobs.

What I can also tell you is, I’d work with those folks again, whereas, most of the boomers and quite a few of the Gen Xers I’ve worked with I’d avoid working with again, because of their inept ability at casting judgement and also increasing the likelihood of a hostile work environment.

Anyways, I hope this guy is found and gets the help he needs. As for the rest of you, I hope you hop off that pedestal, you’re not as amazing as you think you are.

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
2 years ago

Ageist!

Agree about the foolishness of judging people as groups though.

Jimmie
Guest
Jimmie
2 years ago

Lotsa Smoothbrains Inhere: Be careful making generalizations about age groups… by doing that you are in a sense doing the same thing the idiots who made the insensitive comments in here in the first place are doing. Never let another man’s (or woman’s) immaturity become an excuse for your own.

TDog
Guest
TDog
2 years ago

i wish the press release would be honest!! did he and his friends eat anything that would make him “TRIP BALLS”??
if so tell us instead of saying he has extreme mental problems that require him to strip possibly naked and leave and not come back. JUST TELL THE TRUTH IN PRESS RELEASES!!
i guess no one cares about the truth!!
to bad.

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[…] CA: We lost western basser PJ Bruggeman Jr. Sounds like he went missing and then was found passed. Dang it. Bless you bassin' brother. Please pray for his family and […]