SOLVED: Missing 72-year-old Marine Veteran Found Underwater in SUV (John Zarkowski)

John Zarkowski, 72, a Veteran of the Marine Corps who served his country in Vietnam, went missing after he was last seen driving his Chevy Tahoe at 4:30 A.M. September 3rd, 2021.

This missing person documentary brings you alongside Adventures With Purpose's search on September 21st, 2021, following the clues John left behind, leading to the discovery of where John and his SUV had gone missing in the Missouri River 2-weeks earlier, before being found and recovered by AWP.

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CASE DETAILS

September 21, 2021, AWP began our search for 72-year-old Veteran John Zarkowski who was last seen on Friday, September 3, 2021, at 4:30 a.m. departing his residence — possibly without his shoes, phone, or wallet.

AWP was in Omaha at 11:45 p.m. getting ready to work a missing person case the next morning when they received a call from Jacob Grubbs after a friend of John's family reached out asking for help from anyone to come in search of John who was believed to have driven his White 2018 Tahoe LTZ into the Missouri River.

We connected the next morning with the lead investigators, Tony Hemmer and Sgt. Doug Durkan from the CASS County Sheriff's Department along with members of John's family.

Around 5:30 p.m. we identified a target in the Missouri River outside of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and around 7:45 p.m. we confirmed it was John's Chevy Tahoe, 22' underwater.

Returning the next day (September 22, 2021), we struggled as this was one of our most difficult recoveries to date because of the heavy current of the Missouri River.

Early afternoon the Tahoe came out of the Missouri River at 12:59 p.m.

It was confirmed, John Zarkowski was inside the SUV.

A big thank you to the CASS County Sheriff's Office, Plattsmouth Fire Department, dive teams from the Omaha Fire Department along with Yutan Fire and Rescue, the City of Plattsmouth for providing a front loader and operator to clear a path to the work zone, and Neff Towing for volunteering their services.

We are humbled by the opportunity all of you have given us to help in the search for answers as to what happened to John.

Hug the ones you love for you never know when it might be the last time you see them.

As of the release of this documentary, because of your support: 16 Missing Person Cold Cases Have Been Solved since 2019, bringing resolution and answers to families looking for their lost loved ones.

The AWP Movement would not be possible without your support, helping us travel the US offering our services for FREE to families searching for their lost loved ones.

If you would like to donate to Help Further Our Efforts, please use the following link.

Thank You,
Jared Leisek (AWP Founder)

🎬🍿 Watch More of Our Episodes

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SOLVED: Found Tammy Goff (Ep. 4) Missing 3-Years Underwater

#solved #veteran #documentary

[AdventuresWithPurpose]

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

➦ Share this video and SPREAD AWARENESS of the service AWP provides for Free!
Because of your support, We Don't Charge Families for our time to serve in helping them locate their lost loved ones, so please, SHARE this video and awareness about AWP so that other families in need can find us.



SUBSCRIBE TO OTHERS ON THE TEAM

Questions or Want to Tell Us About a Case?

[Meqq]

The detective in this episode was outstanding. He was so supportive and grateful for their help. This is 100% how the rest of them should be modelling their behaviour. Outstanding guy.

[TheCmmdk]

This has to be a textbook example of how a detective should behave. What an absolute legend.

[wickedlee]

When the officer shook hands and said that the dirt didn’t matter….that was straight up class. He’s a good man.

[flwrgrl]

This is how a true community should look. No one is fighting over who is in charge. Everyone is just working together to bring a community member home to his family. And the detectives being on board with you guy's helping shows true commitment to the community. Way to go team!!! You should all be very proud of what you do!

[melissarowell]

I am loving this law enforcement officer. Absolutely no ego involved there. He is glad for the help and sees you as the great resource you are. That's how it should be. Kudos to him, we need more like him.

[Hh]

The Investigator’s remark that AWP is a great resource is so true and this is one man that is not offended to get any help necessary to find this Veteran and find closure for the family.

[aliviapuhalla]

My grandfather was a vet who lived in grad island and was actually good friends with John. He almost cried when he saw he was found. Thank you for all you do

[Jeremiah-fh]

As retired law enforcement, I thank you for everything you guys do! Having the skill level you guys bring to the table as well as equipment, you’re a godsend for so many of these agencies. They simply don’t have the resources or expertise available to them.

[jeanlovestarot]

I loved hearing the detective say "you're the expert" wow you guys have come far from people treating you like you were intruding. When the reality is you are the experts having done this in so many different bodies of water. It made me feel proud for you. x

[MrSouthofBoston]

I’m a retired LEO, 31 years. Egos often get in the way of proper police work. I tip my hat to Detective Toni Hemmer and Sergeant Doug Durken. Both professional and an asset to their office. They and AWP had a common goal to bring closure to a family and they did just that.

[tyler]

It'd be nice if all officers were as humble and accepting of help as that investigator. What a good man.

Thanks for all you do guys. Amazing work.

[IvyK]

I worked at an insurance company and I had a conversation with a woman whose husband drove into the river he was found after 2 days. It's one of the phone calls I will never forget. I asked my manager to send her flowers because it felt like there was so little I could do. The work you guys do is so important.

[kristineteall]

Jared diving blind in such a dangerous current, and even entering the vehicle is dangerous. I give him props for what he does. People need to give him the credit he's due. Also the fact he takes the dangerous dive himself so as not to jeopardize anyone else.

[jordantipton]

Let’s give a shout out to the law enforcement agencies that are cooperative and appreciate what you guys are doing!!! It’s about the victim and their families and not about who did or did not do the job correctly.

[Grunt]

As a Marine Vet myself, thank you for bringing a fellow brother home 🤝

[sarahcoleman]

The way this team communicates with each other so confidently and without squabble is amazing. That is just one reason they are so successful.

[tishbowman]

This detective is a great example of how it should be with all local authorities! He hung with you guys throughout the day giving whatever support he could. His community is very lucky to have him.
Thanks to you all for giving another family answers!

[TrimansWife]

As a wife of a disabled vet, mother of a career Army soldier who has 6 tours (5 in the Middle East) - this always breaks my heart. Rest In Peace sir. You were appreciated, even if you didn’t know it.

[canalaerocast]

That Sheriff shaking Doug's dirty hand and saying "doesn't matter, we all get dirty" made me feel good.