Happy Mother’s Day!

©David V. Neily, 1972

In honor of Mother’s Day, our dad drew the image at right, for our mom, approx. 1972. The mother and baby are unknown.

My parents divorced a year later when I was 7 and I thought this drawing was gone forever.

My mom gave it to me, 1 month before my daughter Lillian was born in 2006.

I didn't really appreciate his talent back when I was younger. I just took it for granted.

But as an adult and especially since he has been missing, I'm so thankful I have several drawings by him.

My brother, Ryan is also very creative at Copper Neily Creations. I earned a degree in Graphic Design but started a family instead of pursuing it further.

And even now, I see my kids being very creative. Lillian (age 10) with her drawing and Landon (age 6) with his drawing and “inventions”.

This is dad's legacy.

Love you Dad & miss you so much!

Today, 11 Years Missing

Some facts / thoughts that my readers may not know.

Dad went missing the same year my daughter Lillian was born. I didn't have a chance to tell him I was pregnant with her before he went missing.

He also went missing in April, my birth month. I gave him David as his middle name 7 my ex agreed, after dad. This is such a hard month in so many ways.

I sometimes think what my life would be like if dad was still here? Would I be a happier person? Would I not be so uptight? Would people like me better? etc.

Something that seems remarkable to me is my daughter. She is 10. But is very aware of her other Grandpa. But she has never met him.

My son who was born in 2010 has David as his middle name in honor of dad. I ain't going to lie but I secretly hoped our 2nd was a boy so we could name him after dad. I didn't want David to be his first name because that would be too painful.

We are not religious but I have always had an alter for dad. Even in the rental last year. I light a candle on April 14th every year. The day he went missing but foul play is suspected.

I'm just starting to make dad's blog more active. That is why this post is so late.

Why a Daughter Needs a Dad

by Gregory E. Lang

The following is a letter my dad included in a book “Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, 100 Reasons” by Gregory E. Lang he gave to me for my 37th birthday, 2003. He wrote a lot of letters. I've kept every one.
He wrote...

Dear Lisa,
The cows caught my eye because of your collection then I read it and felt the sentiment was down deep especially within artists, excluding yourself. I don't know about running with a wilder herd but I've sure cut fences and ran to the wind.

I choked up a few times reading the book. I saw myself failing you in some things expressed that had been in my heart but not expressed to you or done.

You may be a woman of thirty-seven years but you're still a daughter that it's not too late to say, as you told me, I respect and admire your honesty and straightforwardness even though it can sometimes make the road of life rough.

It's a long road and I think the most important thing is to have lived it true to the self within. 

Try to keep a balance in your life. 

I love you with all my heart and wish you all the happiness you so deserve. 

Happy Birthday,
Love Always and Forever,
Dad

Another Tip Line via Newly Hired PI

When dad went missing, I was pregnant with my daughter in 2006. He went missing before I could let him know. Now my daughter is 9 years old and my son is 5 years old. Dad has a total of 5 adult kids. My brother, Ryan & I from the same mom, and our step siblings, Scott, Brad & Darla from a different mom.

So for 10+ years I have had his missing case on my shoulders and I'm sure on my brother's and sister too. Plus I've been raising a family. Although October 22, 2015 the father of my kids and I divorced.

I hired a PI in 2008 but got screwed. I made the mistake of doing a google search for PI's in Northern Ca. Well, I lost my retainer fee & tried to get it back. Since then, I have been reluctant to hire another PI, plus I have not had the funds until now.

Well I really don't have the total funds but enough for a retainer. To help please fund our search for Dad, please click on the following link: Go Fund Me. This time I was smart and got the advice and a referral from Jerrie Dean of Missing in America.

So, here we are, September 2, 2016. I hired a new PI but they would like to stay anonymous. They are not after fame and admire them for that. Until I have solid, new information to share, I will. In the meantime, they have provided another Tip Line, 707.271.0616. It is NOT associated with the Mendocino County Sheriff's Tip Line.

Families of Missing Persons Turn to Web for Clues

Families of missing persons turn to web for clues:
It's being called the nation's silent mass disaster. More than 100,000 people are actively missing and another 40,000 bodies are unidentified.

Persons of Interest

James "Jimmy" DeNoyer, his girlfriend Rebecca L. Warda & Ron Bomeister are persons of interest in my dad's case. DeNoyer has caused nothing but grief for my entire family ever since we met him. We need closure and someone knows something. I can't afford a PI, I don't have anonymous donors donating $100,000 + to find him, his story has not been put on TV (despite my attempts to get media coverage), I can't afford a billboard etc.

I'm a SAHM mom with 2 young kids and having a missing loved one is a full-time job. It kills me that I can't do more. My kids will never meet their grandpa. My daughter says when she sees my dad's picture "Is that my other grandpa?"

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today my dad, David V. Neily is 74 but I can't send him a card and a gift because he has been missing from Westport, CA since 2006.

Someone knows something. People don't just disappear.

I changed my facebook profile picture to an illustration of Elvis Presley (one of my dad's favorite artists). My dad drew it in 1979. He is very creative and I want to try and show what kind of person he is. I will have it up for a week in honor of Dad.

Unfortunately I haven't been very active with his case for about a year now since I was pregnant and had our son. It's very stressful to have a missing loved one and I didn't want to cause harm to our baby. He is named after my dad. Landon's middle name is David which means "beloved".

My dad shares his birthday month with my brother, my daughter and my husband.

You can find out more about his case on this blog or on his FB page.

If you haven't already I would appreciate you joining his blog and/or FB page. It would mean a lot to the entire Neily family.

Thanks for your continued support to find answers because every person who is missing deserves to be found.

Love, Lisa

My 37th Birthday Gift from Dad in 2003

While packing for our move recently, I came across a book my Dad gave me on my 37th Birthday and in it was the following letter:

Dear Lisa,

The cows caught my eye (Dad describing the Birthday card) because of your collection then I read it and felt the sentiment was down deep especially within artists, including yourself. I don't know about running with a wilder heard but I've sure cut the fences and ran to the wild.

I choked up a few times read the book, ("Why a Daughter Needs a Dad", by Gregory E. Lang). I saw myself failing you in some things expressed that had been in my heart but not expressed to you or done.

You may be a woman of thirty seven years but you're still a daughter, that it's not too late to say, as you told me, I respect and admire your honesty and straightforwardness even though it can sometimes make the road of life rough it's a long road and I think the most important thing is to have lived it true to the self within.

Try to keep a balance in your life.

I love you with all my heart and wish you all the happiness you so deserve.

Happy Birthday
Love always and forever,
Dad

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DAVID V. NEILY STILL MISSING AFTER 4 YEARS FROM WESTPORT, CA
—BUT IS NOT FORGOTTEN

PUEBLO WEST, CO 5/24/10)

Someone knows something. David V. Neily still missing under mysterious circumstances since April 2006 from James DeNoyer's property in Westport, CA. James DeNoyer is considered a person of interest according to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Dept.

Neily went to DeNoyer’s property (after his family warned him not to), to retrieve his belongings and has never been seen since. His dog "Justice" and his 2 vehicles were found on the Westport property. Neily's family said that he would never leave his dog behind. Gun shots were also heard in the area where Neily was last seen. The case is still a missing person case and not a criminal case because of lack of evidence.

Ronald Baumeister, a friend of DeNoyer’s was the last known person to speak with Neily on the Westport property and subsequently interviewed on 07/28/2006.

DeNoyer was also charged of animal abuse and his horses were confiscated by animal control in 2005. DeNoyer has not been questioned since 2006. DeNoyer refused to be questioned further about the Neily investigation, according to Det. Dustin Lorenzo of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Dept.

DNA samples from family members have since been entered in the system and a case file can be found at www.NamUs.gov.

The family desperately needs to bring attention to Neily's disappearance and wants answers. People just don’t disappear.

Photos of David are available at http://davidvneily.blogspot.com/

Also info. can be found on Facebook at http://bit.ly/d1CsmT

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of David V. Neily, please contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, Detective Unit at 707.463.4111 or their TIP LINE: 707.467.9159. Please reference case #06-1611.

The Traveling Mind: FREEDOM

The following was written by my dad but I don't have a date. Just trying to give you a glimpse of who is and what he feels.

The Traveling Mind: FREEDOM

To awake, with nothing to do but enjoy the day.

To choose a path to follow, then set your own pace as you go along that way.

To fear no man, nor anything for what they may do or say.

To do the work, that pleases your mind placing the product aside for others to find.

To give love, for whatever you please, frolick in a stream or lay beneath the trees.

This is the FREEDOM to which I awake, my mom's blessings I gratefully take.

Statement from Ryan Neily, son of David

The following is a statement from my brother, Ryan Neily in regards to James DeNoyer, a person of interest in the mysterious disappearance of our dad.

It was sent to America’s Most Wanted, 2008.

June of 2004, my Dad got involved with Jim DeNoyer (person of interest) because he said my Dad and I could build a shop on his property. My Dad had an argument with Jim and he left leaving all of his stuff, equipment and a truck. I moved having to leave these items behind but Jim told me it was alright.

When Jim got busted by Animal Control (Dec 2005) my Dad finally came back to help me move everything to Albion where my Dad was living. At the time, it was almost impossible to contact Jim. So my Dad and I went there and retrieved everything in one day. The next day we went back to get my Dad’s truck and Jim was there and called the sheriffs. But they came and left. Jim had me get off the property as I watched my Dad retrieve his truck with a friend named Mark.

At that time Jim was being really nice to my Dad. Jim had told my Dad he could have an old truck that was there on the property even though Jim didn’t own it. A few months later my Dad went missing for 2 or 3 weeks so I filed a report. But friends and family said to withdraw the missing persons report because they all thought Dad was on his way to Santa Cruz, and would be upset if we turned him in. My Dad takes Lithium so it’s hard to tell when Dad is Dad. The police did find him, he was having car problem, they observed him and left him alone. I found out later that he went to Westport after fixing his car instead of coming back to Albion or continuing on to Santa Cruz. In fact he returned with his battery to take his other car. But what he did was drive to Jim’s, leaving two vehicles there, his T-Bird and Mustang. When he left I tried to warn him not to go to Jim’s alone, to take his friend, Mark. But you don’t disagree with Dad when he is off his medication. He went to Jim’s to get the old truck Jim had promised him. A neighbor named Thad, heard shots at 2 or 3 in the morning about the time my Dad was at Jim’s in April, 2006. I had lived in the same creek area for 7 years and never heard gun fire, everyone says the same thing - I know everyone and everyone knows each other. Thad said the gun fire came from Jim’s property. He heard three shots, a hesitation then two more.

I had previously asked the police to check my Dad’s checking account and they said it would take to long. My sister, Lisa was able to access his Bank of America account through the internet. The Sheriffs also finally checked his Inwood Credit Union account after I had gone to Jim’s to see if my Dad was there - this was about 3 months later. That was when I found his dog, Justice, in a truck with some water and food bowls. I panicked and went to Joe’s, another neighbor to call the police. But Joe told me to go back, maybe Dad is still there. I went back and a guy named Ron Baumeister came down from the barn. He told me he called Jim to tell him I was on the property. I asked Ron why do you have Justice locked up in the truck and where’s my Dad. Ron said he left with his Mustang 3 or 4 months ago. My Dad would never leave without his dog. So I took Justice and told Ron this was a bad time to come to Jim’s and all he did was look at the ground. The next thing he said to me was everyone loves your Dad. The next day the police told me Dad hadn’t taken any money out of his account. I went back and Ron wasn’t there. I walked up to the barn and found both my Dad’s cars there, a T-Bird and the Mustang. Ron told me the previous day Dad left 3 or 4 months ago in his Mustang. My Dad’s glasses and wallet were laying in the T-Bird. It was obvious my Dad was working on the Mustang because it wasn‘t running. So I called and relayed this to the police. They asked me if I was sure so I took pictures and they came out the next morning and towed the cars to the police station. The next day a friend called me saying Jim was over heard saying he wanted to kill me. So I called the police and told them this.

I believe Jim had something to do with my Dad’s disappearance, as I know he had his Uncle, JC (Donald Cavanaugh), beaten up. He took JC to the airport at gunpoint. When Jim found out that JC came back to the Mendocino area to get his personal items, JC came up missing. Thad’s son, Chris, told JC not to go back to Jim’s property to retrieve his stuff and dogs. That was the last Chris heard of JC. It was the same warning I gave my Dad. Jim’s 20 acres is backed by 100’s of 1000’s of acres of BLM land. He could easily have buried or set fire to them. He was a fanatic about clearing his land with large burn piles. If it was 2 young girls who disappeared you would have the entire police, Sheriffs, FBI, dogs, hundreds of volunteers. I also believe the Sheriffs have been slow on their feet because my Dad and I got involved with Jim.

Thank you for your time and everything you do for the missing.

Sincerely,

Ryan K. Neily

A Daughter’s Speech About Her Dad’s Life

I’m a very new member of Toastmasters and the first speech you present is called an “ice breaker”. The purpose of the speech is to talk about yourself or your family so your club members can learn more about you. I decided to talk about my dad so people can get to know me better through talking about his life and to paint a picture of him and his personality and what kind of dad he is.

Of course I didn’t present it word for word as below but most of it I was able to say. My mom gave me persmission to post it on this blog. Since the speech was only 5 min., I only mentioned highlights. I got emotional through some spots but made it through. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

Below also includes trigger words that helped me keep on track and not forget anything.

The photo at the right was taken in 1966, the year I was born. It hangs on a wall in my home.

Freedom, Liberty and Justice...
Those are the names my dad gave to each of his dogs. But my dad’s life has been nothing but what those words stand for. Dad’s mom abused him physically and verbally and when he was a teenager he was diagnosed with Manic Depression which is now called...Bi-polar Disorder. (it basically means a person has extreme high and low moods with normal moods in between). Many famous people have this disorder. Currently though my dad has been missing from CA since 2006.

My Speech
My speech isn’t about me but about my dad David...because if it wasn’t for him and my mom Betty, I wouldn’t be here in the first place. My dad was married twice and he has 5 kids and 9 grandchildren (I have a brother, 2 half-brothers and 1 half-sister). He is also a draftsman, inventor, mechanic, artist, loved nature and animals and is a poet...who happened to have a mental illness.

A Poem by Dad
Love has no boundaries of time or space. It survives forever without nourishment or encouragement to flow forth as the pure water from the blossum of the Earth’s Heart.

Hole in Heart - Ring
My dad was born with a hole in his heart and you could say there has always been something missing from his life and that is “the ability to have a normal life”. The symbol of a heart has always been important to my dad. For my 16th birthday my dad made me a ring with 2 hearts out of a silver dollar. I rarely ever take it off. He previously made one for my mom. On Valentine’s and my Birthday he would always find a way to send me cards, despite his illness.

First Met
My mom and dad first met in 1960. My mom didn’t know he had an illness. My mom said, “He was very romantic and handsome, handy with his hands and a quick mind. His pride and joy was a 1940 Ford Convertible”. He actually gave me a 1950 Pontiac Sedan Delivery which I promised I would never sell, so I hope some day to restore it.

Early 60s - Draftsman
In the early 60s he was a Draftsman by trade and my mom said he was probably following in his Father’s footsteps. And maybe that is why I’m a Graphic Designer today.

Pasadena, CA
In 1961, mom and dad fell in love and got married in Pasadena, CA.

Company - Glove Molds - Inventor
My dad worked for a company that manufactured glove molds for examinations. He was fascinated by the process and they were having problems making molds that were satisfactory. So he started to experiment and solved their problem and became head of the department. Legally the company took credit for my dad’s work. He eventually lost that position due to his illness.

My Brother - First Time Dad Got Help
My brother Ryan was born in 1963. And it was 1966 when my dad got psychiatric help for the first time. It was the year I was born. His episodes of illness became more serious. My mom was very concerned about dad and his prospects for recovery so she met with his psychiatrist. Mom was told that dad will never recover fully but will gradually, over time get worse. He advised her to leave and get on with her life. So she moved us all back to Santa Cruz, CA, which is where I was born.

It Wasn’t Until I Got Older - Reading - Vacations - Wedding
It wasn’t until I was much older that I could tell when my dad wasn’t dad. But through the bad times there were many happy highlights. Dad reading to me when I was younger and sounding out the characters, the many wonderful family vacations and most recently giving me away along with m step-dad at my wedding. Everyone loved him and he danced up a storm with my friend. I did everything I could when I was with my dad to give him a normal life; at least for that moment.

Loaded 38 Revolver - Divorced
In 1974 my dad had another episode that changed my life forever. I was 8 years old and my brother was 10. He got fired and was pissed off. He pointed a loaded 38 revolver at my mom and said to her “get me money and my keys and clothes and I’m taking off...”. My parents divorced soon after.

Through the Years - Worst Nightmare - Lillian
Through the years dad was in and out of mental hospitals and I have always feared that my worst nightmare would come true and it did in April of 2006. My dad went missing in Westport, CA which is along the coast. Foul play is suspected. But at the same time the best joy in my life happened. I was pregnant for the first time. But I wasn’t able to contact my dad to let him know before he was officially declared missing a few months later.

Blog - Facebook - Fundraiser - Family
I started a blog and a group on Facebook about my dad’s case and I’m working on putting together a fundraiser to raise money for a PI and to remind people out there that my dad existed because eventhough he is labeled missing; to me it feels like he is gone forever. Our family wants closure and we want Justice...as dad believed in it.

SHOW PICTURE & POSTER

THANK YOU

Adult Alert System Petition

Help us spread the word about the Adult Alert System by signing the PETITION.

“We, the undersigned, believe the time has come for the development and implementation of an adult emergecy alert system designed to resemble the Amber Alert already in place for missing children. We realize that most adults (age 18 and over) are legally capable of making sound decisions in thier best interest (with the exception of those suffering from Alzheimer's Disease & some affected by mental illness), however we cannot ignore the fact that crimes resulting in the kidnapping or disappearance of adults occur every day. Yet it is most unfortunate that adults reported missing are in most cases not officially delcared as such for 48 hours, by which time crucial search hours are forever lost, making safe recovery less likely...”

Help Save the National Center for Missing Adults

Help Save the National Center for Missing Adults

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I Started a “Justice for David V. Neily Fund”

I finally decided that a need to set up a fund under my dad's name was necessary. You can find the link at the left of this post. For 3 years I was putting my trust into the law enforcement and now I really don't have any other choice but to fight on my own with support from family, friends and strangers.

We are in the works at possibly hiring an investigator but I have been told that when you have someone that is missing other expenses come up that you don't expect.

I'm trying to take one day at a time but so much time has been waisted in finding out what happened to our dad. But we have to keep going until we have closure.

I just can't thank you all enough for your support. If you haven't already, please join the group on facebook: Justice for David that I started last week. Thanks and Take care, Lisa

Talked with an Investigator

I just got off the phone with an investigator in regards to my dad's case. I won't know for a few days if he will be able to take it on as he needs to get familiar with it. Money is an issue but I plan on starting a fund under my dad's name. I feel like I can finally breath a little. It was his advice and I'm taking it. Will post more when he gets back to me.

A Special Message from Lisa

November is a difficult month for me and at the same time it’s the happiest. My brother’s birthday is Nov 5, my daughter’s is Nov 25, my husband’s is Nov 27 and my dad’s is Nov 29.

My husband Steve is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He is truly my best friend. Then when we became pregnant in March of 2006 I was so overwhelmed because I’ve wanted to have a baby for such a long time. But it took me a long time to find the right person to start a family with. Then Lillian was born on November 25, 2006. She is my Sunshine, my everything. 

But during all this time of joy, my dad, David V. Neily has been declared a “Missing Person” under mysterious circumstances since April of 2006; which happens to be my birth month. He also never knew I was pregnant because I wasn’t able to reach him before he became missing.

I’m thankful each day that my dad was at my wedding in July 2005 and gave me away along with my Mom; Betty and Step-dad; Lou. That was the last time I saw him. It was most special during the Father/Daughter dance. And no matter the outcome of my dad, I have photos and video that I will have forever. And I’m so grateful for that.

So, these past three years have been bitter sweet. I first put this letter together November 2006 and for some reason never sent it or posted it until now. I started the letter before creating this blog. Although I had to update it a bit. 

It’s been the most difficult time I have ever had to go through (and I’m still going through) and at the same time, it has been the best time of my life. I have a daughter and husband who I love very much. And family and friends who I also love very much.

But my heart has an emply place. Through the years I didn’t really spend a whole lot of time with my dad since my parents divorced when I was seven. He lived in Northern CA and I lived in Southern CA. He was diagnosed when he was teenager as Bi-Polar. But most of my experiences with him he was “dad”. You couldn’t tell he was sick. But even so, just knowing he is missing, breaks my heart. I miss him so much and I think about him everyday. His best friend Sue wrote to me and said "Every time I see someone who looks remotely like him, my heart jumps and I turn and stare". I have also had the same experience.

I’ll never feel whole again but I would feel much better if I knew what happened to him and that the person responsible was put behind bars for a very long time. I sometimes can’t sleep at night because I miss him so much and wonder what he went through his last days. Our family wants justice and closure because Jim DeNoyer is a person of interest in my dad’s case and also Jim’s uncle’s case.

I look at Lillian and wish I could give my dad a call and get advice on raising her. He taught us never to lie or steal. When I read to Lillian it reminds me when my dad read to me. He would actually talk like the characters he was reading about. This is one of many memories I will never forget. People make fun of me sometimes because I’m always taking pictures or video where ever we go with Lillian. But there is a good reason for it. I want her to know about her life as much as I can so if anything ever happens to me or her dad, she will always have a scrapbook of her life.

Before my dad went missing under mysterious circumstances he wrote details on the back of photos I was storing for him. I have so many that he was never able to finish writing about. He has an amazing memory. He told me I was tenacious and I plan on living up to that by not giving up to find answers to what happened to him.

I guess in a selfish way, I’m posting this because our family and I need all the support we can get. And if anyone has any resources that could help us find him, please let us know. 

My next post I will write details of what has been done to find him and the struggle our family has had with people not wanting to listen to our side. It has been an absolute nightmare.

A LITTLE ADVICE FROM ME:

Make a New Year’s Resolution to Spend Quality Time With the People You Love & Care About. Because You Never Know When It May Be Your Last Chance.

I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH! And I wish you all a Happy 2009!
Lisa, loving daughter of David V. Neily