The Missing – A Weekly Exposé of Lost Souls – Issue #37

October 13, 2009

The mysterious disappearance of Jesse Warren Ross

In this edition of "The Missing," we revisit the mysterious disappearance of Jesse Warren Ross, a 19-year-old University of Missouri sophomore who went missing in 2006.

The story of Jesse's disappearance began in Chicago, Ill., during the early morning hours of Nov. 21, 2006. Jesse was attending a mock United Nations conference at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Chicago, and at about 2:00 a.m. he was at a dance that was part of that event. Jesse was last seen a half-hour later when friends say he left to go back to his hotel, the Four Points Sheraton, which was located about ten minutes away. What happened to Jesse next remains a mystery. He never made it to his room, and he has not been seen since.

According to his friends, Jesse, or "Opie" as they liked to call him, is a likeable guy with no known enemies.

"We are really tight friends," an unidentified coworker of Jesse's said in a 2006 interview with Crime Library. "His internship put him in my [radio station] on day one, just to give him some insight on radio. From there he went from intern to promotions, to being on the air for our morning show as a side kick, stunt boy, kinda fun guy. He is hilarious and his humor and his intelligence put him exactly where he wanted to be."

There was initial speculation that Jesse might have been drinking prior to his disappearance and that it might have somehow played a role in what occurred; however, surveillance footage from the Sheraton Chicago Hotel gave no indication that he was intoxicated.

Police say they have interviewed more than 100 people and have invested countless man hours in the case to no avail. Lack of evidence in the case led police to suspect Jesse might have fallen into the Chicago River, as it runs right next to the hotel where he stayed; however, both police and private search groups have searched the lakefront and river several times and found nothing to indicate Jesse had fallen in.

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Looking into Jesse's background, investigators have found no indication that he was planning on taking off. In addition, there has been no activity on his bank account since the date of his disappearance.

Jesse Ross is described as a white male, 5' 10" tall, 140 pounds, with red hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a green warm-up jacket, white tee shirt, blue jeans and black gym shoes. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chicago Police Department at (312) 744-8266.

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Photo Credit: Contributed

Comments

[Alan]

I was at this conference where he went missing and remember the shock and fear that hit all of us the next morning. I attended this conference the last two years and the hotel has improved security and will actually be moving the conference to a new hotel this year.

Even though it has been almost three years since he dissapeared I still find myself searching online for updates to this case.

Thank you for keeping it alive and keeping hope.

[Donald Ross]

Thank you for featuring Jesse's story.

[Maureen]

Thanks so much for doing an article on Jesse....it was a good article. Jesse's family and friends need answers and I pray that those answers come soon.

[j.s.h.]

very unfortunate scenario..i'm sure the police have considered 1) crime rate in the immediate area 2) was there an altercation at any time during the mock conference etc.

If he didnt disappear willfully, or fall into the river...a case like this has a strong possibility of being a robbery turned sour. (1) he fought his attackers and was killed and transported elsewhere for disposal 2) they simply killed him because they didnt want him to potentially identify them later or be able to describe his assailant(s)...3) another possibility is that he had some type of altercation between someone known or unbeknownst at the dance before leaving and was followed, then killed sometime during the 10 minute walk.

[j.s.h.]

i apologize for the coldness in some of my ponderings, and I hope for the best in this case. (though the realist in me thinks the poor boy is no longer with us, and i hope his attacker(s) are apprehended as soon as possible...i admire the consciousness increasing intent in these articles...but Crave the particulars of the scenarios as they would give more clarity in analysis. Mr. Lohr I remain a loyal fan of yours and am not just k?ssing a?s when i say that you do society a better service with your articles than the sensationalistic vultures known as the AP....thank you sir.

[Jesse]

Alan- What do you or others in the area think happened? What have been the rumors or beliefs over the last few years?Thanks in advance for the response.

[Donald Ross]

We just can't imagine that no one has a clue, someone knows but has no pity on those of us who wait and hope.