Peter O'Brien, 44, Boise ID, 4/2/09

[BevAnn]

I searched and didn't find a thread for this guy. I also checked online, and do believe he is still missing....his story reminds me very much of our Nancy, mom of 2, everything left in her apartment untouched...

http://www.2news.tv/news/42541952.html


"BOISE - A New Zealand native living in Boise for several months may be missing and his family is asking anyone with information to call a hotline.

Peter O'Brien's family and friends say they have no idea where he is but something just doesn't seem right.

O'Brien's family says he recently moved from Southern California to be closer to his two sons. They say he's never left without telling someone where he is going and that's what makes this time so strange.

In store fronts and posted on windows missing person sign blanket Hyde Park, each one a plea for help from O'Brien's family.

"I just can't imagine him running away, so I think something must have happened to him," said Suzanne Oppenheimer, O'Brien's ex-wife.

Oppenheimer says she last saw him Thursday evening when he dropped off their two young sons.

"There was nothing that made me think 'Oh my, there is something wrong with Pete,'" she said.

On Saturday when she called to find out when he would be picking up the kids no one answered.

"Fifty calls later he stilled hadn't return any calls so finally I went up there with my six year old just to check on him, make sure he was okay," says Oppenheimer.

But she says the door to his apartment was unlocked and inside she found his keys, wallet with his credit cards, and his cell phone all left on the counter.

"His bags are at home, his shoes are at home, his clothes are at home, his jacket is at home, so I don't know where he could be," Oppenheimer said.

Boise Police say they are investigating O'Brien's disappearance and right now there is no evidence a crime has been committed.

But Oppenheimer says it's hard not knowing what to do or what to say especially when it comes to their two sons.

"I don't want my kids to grow up without a dad," she said.

O'Brien is described as 5'8'', about 160 pounds, with short black hair. He has a New Zealand accent.

If you have any information on his whereabouts you are urged to call a tipline his friends have set up #936-2722.

You can also call Crime Stoppers at #343-COPSs.

O'Brien's apartment manager says he did pay his rent on the first day of April. Oppenheimer believes that is an indication he was planning to stay."

[Kip]

So many people disappearing without a trace... No signs of a struggle in the apartment so either Peter walked away with no intention of coming back, or something happened to him outside. He could have gone outside to help someone with their car or to just take out the garbage - I can see him leaving his keys in his apartment in those circumstances.

Here's a link with a photo:
http://www.2news.tv/news/42715552.html

Police checking local surveillance and Peter's bank accounts; ex-wife says their relationship was strained, but that she didn't notice anything out of the ordinary about his mental state:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2331...-still-hopeful

[Taybug]

I'm wondering if his car was still there or not.

I hope he's safe and comes home soon!

[n/t]

Wow BevAnn. I agree. So eerily similar to Nancy's case.

Why would he pay April rent if he was going to leave? Doesn't make sense.

[ginky41]

WTH???? I live in Boise and not have heard ANYTHING about this case.

I'm off to check the local news..

[BevAnn]

Originally Posted by RachelRose

Does he have a laptop or desktop computer? Is it gone?

A man who lives alone wouldn't tell anyone he's going out, there's no one to tell. So that's a dead end.

I've always been very afraid for posters who use Craig's list personal connections. They are COMPLETELY vulnerable. Especially men. I feel like I read those personals, and think . . . prayers that that man lives through the night.

Yes, RR, I read several articles on him, but most said the same thing. IIRC his car WAS there. AND a laptop is missing.

He liked to hike a lot and they think he might have headed out, and fell or got hurt. But taking a laptop on hike seems odd?

[ginky41]

The "North End" where Peter lived (according to the news article posted above) is an interesting end of town in Boise. By interesting I mean interesting, not scary or weird in any way whatsoever. Hard for me to explain. The houses are old with lots of character and they are notoriously high-priced. There is a definite "type" of folk who live in the North End, although I realize that is stereotyping just a bit. Lots of "tree-huggers," "hippies," and wealthy folks. Obviously this is a generalization as not EVERYone living in the North End falls into these categories.

Anyway, just outside the North End are the "foothills" which are known for their hiking/biking trails. Just at the base of the foothills is the area known as Hyde Park, also mentioned above. It would not be unusual for someone to walk to one of the outdoor areas for a coffee/lunch/etc and to also take their laptop. I wonder if Peter owned a bike? Lots of folks in the North End ride bikes, it's close to downtown and lots of parks and also the Greenbelt, a paved path that carves thru much of our city. It follows the river much of the time and is a great place to bike, walk, etc.

Maybe Peter took his laptop on his bike to sit outside and enjoy the nice spring weather we've been enjoying? I'm a bit surprised that this isn't headline news here - there is not a whole lot of crime in our area. Certainly when things go above and beyond the normal crime (meth busts, etc.) it typically gets a LOT of attention.

So weird.

[Kip]

Interesting about the laptop being missing. I'm not sure what to make of that other than theft. It doesn't seem like a suidical person would take a laptop with them.

The keys being there are what stands out to me. It just doesn't seem likely to me that he'd leave his keys in his apartment while he went for a hike. Maybe, like Ginky41 said, he took his laptop outside to sit and something happened to him then. But in random crimes like that, typically the perp doesn't remove the body. Very puzzling...

[findpete]

Peter is my brother and he is still missing. We are desperate to find him. If anyone know's anything about his dissappearance please come forward, even n you have some information that you can give anonymously, we have to find him. We love him very much and this is just devastating for our whole family.

[Kip]

Originally Posted by findpete

Peter is my brother and he is still missing. We are desperate to find him. If anyone know's anything about his dissappearance please come forward, even n you have some information that you can give anonymously, we have to find him. We love him very much and this is just devastating for our whole family.

findpete, I'm so sorry your brother is missing.

One news story said police were checking local surveillance tapes. I gather nothing came of that.

Have tracking dogs been brought in?

[ginky41]

Originally Posted by findpete

Peter is my brother and he is still missing. We are desperate to find him. If anyone know's anything about his dissappearance please come forward, even n you have some information that you can give anonymously, we have to find him. We love him very much and this is just devastating for our whole family.

Hi findpete. So sorry for what you are going thru. I live in Boise, ID and have heard very little about your brother. Can you provide us with any additional details about his disappearance? Does LE suspect foul play? Is it possible he was lost hiking or biking in the mountains/foothills? Why does it seem like the local media is uninterested in this story? Was your brother an "outdoor" guy? Prayers to you and Peter's family.

[n/t]

Originally Posted by findpete

Peter is my brother and he is still missing. We are desperate to find him. If anyone know's anything about his dissappearance please come forward, even n you have some information that you can give anonymously, we have to find him. We love him very much and this is just devastating for our whole family.

I'm so sorry for what you're family is going through. My thoughts and prayers Pete will be found safe soon.

[n/t]

Originally Posted by RachelRose

Welcome, findpete. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this agony.

To me, the clues seem fairly obvious in his disappearance. I can't think of any possibilities where a man would voluntarily leave his house with his laptop and nothing else. No cell phone, no keys, no car, no nothing. He's gone and so is his computer.

It seems quite clear to me that someone came in to his home, and erased their communication traces by taking his laptop with them when they left. I don't know if you have a way to determine what his ISP was, and go to Craig's List and other possible social networking sites to determine what communications were made from his laptop the night he went missing.

Prayers that he is returned safely.

I agree Rachel. His computer may hold a lot of the missing pieces. If it was foul play, why would anyone take his laptop? Did he have a cellphone? Was that recovered? They should check out any numbers he may have programmed.

Was anything else missing? His wallet? Money? Jewelry? Clothes?

[findpete]

I am not sure why you think we should look at craigs list???? Also laptop is not missing so it is still very strange circumstances.

[Kip]

Originally Posted by findpete

I am not sure why you think we should look at craigs list???? Also laptop is not missing so it is still very strange circumstances.

One of the early news stories said Peter's laptop appeared to be missing.

I presume Peter's email accounts and phone records have been checked out and there's nothing out of the ordinary there.

Given the circumstances, it's hard to imagine what could have happened. These are the only scenarios that make sense to me:

1. Peter walked away with no intention of coming back.

2. Peter left his apartment for what he thought would be a few minutes, for a location where he didn't need money, his keys, or his phone. Possibilities: To put dirty laundry in a washer or retrieve from the dryer (Does the apartment building have a laundry room? Are any of Peter's clothes missing?)To take the trash out (was the trash empty?). To visit a neighbor (to chat, to borrow or return something, to ask someone to keep the noise down). To walk down to the corner to buy a newspaper. To walk a friend outside to the friend's car.

Prayers that Peter will be found safe.

[n/t]

I thought his laptop was missing. So did they get that wrong?

They should go through all his emails, sites he frequented, etc. And yes all phone records.

Did he have a girlfriend?

[moonlite]

Originally Posted by ginky41

WTH???? I live in Boise and not have heard ANYTHING about this case.

I'm off to check the local news..

Greetings'
Ginky41'

I sure hope he is ok and turns up safe.

Moonlite

[ginky41]

Originally Posted by moonlite

Greetings'
Ginky41'

I sure hope he is ok and turns up safe.

Moonlite

Hi neighbor!

So weird, this case. I wish we had more details about Peter's disappearance. It's hard to speculate when we know so little. I always wonder about cases like this, when the story isn't front-and-center. Makes me wonder if LE suspects the person disappeared of their own free-will?

[BevAnn]

I know ginky! When I came across his story, I came on here and searched for it before I posted it - because I just couldn't believe he hadn't been mentioned already! He's getting such little press.

It seems to me like, the press doesn't get worked up over missing males nearly as much as females. I guess because many times their missing, either turns up as they left on their own accord, or in an accidental death. And I guess that's not as "Sensational" as an abduction or kidnapping? Just doesnt seem right.

My heart goes out to his friends and family. I hope he did leave to have some alone time or something like that.

Bev

[moonlite]

Originally Posted by ginky41

Hi neighbor!

So weird, this case. I wish we had more details about Peter's disappearance. It's hard to speculate when we know so little. I always wonder about cases like this, when the story isn't front-and-center. Makes me wonder if LE suspects the person disappeared of their own free-will?

Greetings'
Ginky41"

Hi there back to you"

I'm wondering about the ex-wife? Did they say what Peter's, frame of mind might have been? He doesn't sound like he suffered any type of break down? But a person just never knows!! I think it's a bit odd that his cell phone and keys, etc were left behind. I think it sort of sounds like foul play could be involved?

Moonlite

[Kip]

Originally Posted by moonlite

Greetings'
Ginky41"

Hi there back to you"

I'm wondering about the ex-wife? Did they say what Peter's, frame of mind might have been? He doesn't sound like he suffered any type of break down? But a person just never knows!! I think it's a bit odd that his cell phone and keys, etc were left behind. I think it sort of sounds like foul play could be involved?

Moonlite

Peter's ex-wife said she noticed nothing unusual about Peter's frame of mind.

I wonder if anyone knows Peter's habits well enough to know if he'd leave his apartment unlocked if he went out for a jog. If he does run, I wonder if he has a regular route. Someone could have hit him with their car and knocked Peter off the roadway into the brush. Would anyone know if Peter had exercise clothes that were missing?

If foul play was involved, it doesn't seem like Peter was a random victim. The motives for attacks on men usually involve robbery. Whatever happened to Peter didn't happen in his apartment. If he was out without his wallet for some reason (to take out the trash or walk to the corner store for milk) and he had been mugged and shot or stabbed, the mugger would have left him there.

[findpeter - before you read this next bit, please understand that this is pure speculation here. I pray that Peter will be found safe and know your family is devastated by this. I know next to nothing about Peter and am only trying to make what few bits of info we have fit the few facts we have]

If foul play is involved (other than a hit-and-run accident), I think it would have to be someone Peter knows. What kind of apartment building did Peter live in? Maybe something happened in one of those apartments. Peter goes across the hall to borrow something, a jealous boyfriend comes home.... Peter goes next door to tell them to turn the music down, they get into it, and Peter is killed.

[ginky41]

Originally Posted by Kip

respectfully snipped....

If foul play is involved (other than a hit-and-run accident), I think it would have to be someone Peter knows. What kind of apartment building did Peter live in? Maybe something happened in one of those apartments. Peter goes across the hall to borrow something, a jealous boyfriend comes home.... Peter goes next door to tell them to turn the music down, they get into it, and Peter is killed.

I think your first scenario is more likely. Peter may have gotten injured while out and about. As I've mentioned, lots of people come to Boise for the outdoor activities. Peter lived in a prime area for all that stuff. He was close to downtown, easy to meet friends and just chill out down there. He was close to walking and biking trails. He was also close to Hyde Park which is a cute little area in the North End with cafes, coffee shops, etc. Depending on where he was headed it might not be that unusual for him to leave all that stuff behind.

I sure wish we had more info....

[n/t]

Originally Posted by ginky41

I think your first scenario is more likely. Peter may have gotten injured while out and about. As I've mentioned, lots of people come to Boise for the outdoor activities. Peter lived in a prime area for all that stuff. He was close to downtown, easy to meet friends and just chill out down there. He was close to walking and biking trails. He was also close to Hyde Park which is a cute little area in the North End with cafes, coffee shops, etc. Depending on where he was headed it might not be that unusual for him to leave all that stuff behind.

I sure wish we had more info....

Wouldn't he have taken his wallet and keys though? Do people leave their doors unlocked and just walk away to go to a cafe?

I agree that there is so little to go by. Not much online about his disappearance.

[n/t]

Originally Posted by BevAnn

I know ginky! When I came across his story, I came on here and searched for it before I posted it - because I just couldn't believe he hadn't been mentioned already! He's getting such little press.

It seems to me like, the press doesn't get worked up over missing males nearly as much as females. I guess because many times their missing, either turns up as they left on their own accord, or in an accidental death. And I guess that's not as "Sensational" as an abduction or kidnapping? Just doesnt seem right.

My heart goes out to his friends and family. I hope he did leave to have some alone time or something like that.

Bev

So true and so sad that missing men aren't taken as seriously as women and children.

Yes, perhaps statistics show they are most likely to run off on their wives and families but what about the ones that don't. Do we just forget about them? So unfair especially if there is no proof they planned on leaving.

In this case, he paid April rent. That alone tells me he was planning to stay.

[ginky41]

Originally Posted by n/t

Wouldn't he have taken his wallet and keys though? Do people leave their doors unlocked and just walk away to go to a cafe?

I agree that there is so little to go by. Not much online about his disappearance.

Maybe he took a $20 to go get a coffee??? I think that's possible. Or maybe just to ride his bike?

I wish findpete could give us some more details....

[Kip]

Originally Posted by ginky41

Maybe he took a $20 to go get a coffee??? I think that's possible. Or maybe just to ride his bike?

I wish findpete could give us some more details....

Ginky, what do you think about his door being left unlocked in that area of Boise? Is that something someone would do there?

I grew up where people rarely locked their doors and I don't lock my door where I am now when I just go out for a walk (yeah, I probably should, especially after all I read about on these boards...). I haven't lived in an apartment building since I was in college, but I always locked my apartment door, even when I went down to the laundry room.

I wish someone knew if Pete habitually didn't lock his door.

[moonlite]

Originally Posted by n/t

Wouldn't he have taken his wallet and keys though? Do people leave their doors unlocked and just walk away to go to a cafe?

I agree that there is so little to go by. Not much online about his disappearance.

Greetings'
N/T'

I didn't realize his door was unlocked. To me this sounds like maybe the neighbors might have seen something? Does anyone know if the neighbors have been checked out?

Moonlite

[ginky41]

Originally Posted by Kip

Ginky, what do you think about his door being left unlocked in that area of Boise? Is that something someone would do there?

I grew up where people rarely locked their doors and I don't lock my door where I am now when I just go out for a walk (yeah, I probably should, especially after all I read about on these boards...). I haven't lived in an apartment building since I was in college, but I always locked my apartment door, even when I went down to the laundry room.

I wish someone knew if Pete habitually didn't lock his door.

Yeah, I don't think it would be at all unusual for him to leave his door unlocked....depending on where he was going. If he was walking to the corner to grab a coffee then no, that wouldn't be weird. If he were leaving for several hours then maybe he would lock, I dunno. I don't think either locking or leaving the door unlocked is unusual in this area. For the most part our city is very safe although we still have our share of crime. The North End, where Peter lived is very community-oriented. I don't know exactly where Peter lived but that area down there isn't that big.

With that said, I think it's HIGHLY unusual to have a missing person's case. I'm very surprised that it's not getting more media attention around here. The only reason I knew about Peter was from this board. That is concerning to me.

[Kip]

Originally Posted by ginky41

[snipped] ... With that said, I think it's HIGHLY unusual to have a missing person's case. I'm very surprised that it's not getting more media attention around here. The only reason I knew about Peter was from this board. That is concerning to me.

I can understand your concern. Missing men get much less news coverage than missing women. It's a shame on so many levels. IMO, when someone is missing, even a 30-second TV segment on TV or a small photo in a newspaper with just a caption could bring in a lead that finds the missing person. And if there's even the smallest possibility that a crime could have been committed, that's something that the public should be made aware of.

So, what's going on in Boise that is more newsworthy than a father of two being missing? It makes me angry when the media is covering stupid stuff and gives no coverage to a missing person case.

[Breazy]

Just found this thread and it's so hard to speculate on a possible scenario with so few clues. I wish FindPete would come back and let us know what details are known and verified. Anything found on area surveillance? Any activity with bank account? Have cell phone records been checked?

My heart cries for Peter's two young sons who probably don't understand where dad is. I pray for Peter's safety and for his boys.

[ginky41]

Originally Posted by Kip

respectfully snipped....

So, what's going on in Boise that is more newsworthy than a father of two being missing? It makes me angry when the media is covering stupid stuff and gives no coverage to a missing person case.

Nothing out of the ordinary. Here are a couple of local sites:

http://www.ktvb.com/ (Top Headline: "Who Has Cheaper Groceries"....WTH?)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/

Nothing on either home page about Peter.

[findpete]

thanks for your concerns everyone. It is interesting reading. His door was unlocked, and it doesnt appear anything gone. He didnt run though did do a bit of hiking in camel back park? Police did a search of that area. It was on the news over there, my brother and sister flew to the states and did a press conference but as there are no leads I guess they dont have anything to report. It will be 4 weeks this friday, 4 weeks too long.

[n/t]

Originally Posted by findpete

thanks for your concerns everyone. It is interesting reading. His door was unlocked, and it doesnt appear anything gone. He didnt run though did do a bit of hiking in camel back park? Police did a search of that area. It was on the news over there, my brother and sister flew to the states and did a press conference but as there are no leads I guess they dont have anything to report. It will be 4 weeks this friday, 4 weeks too long.

I wish there was more we could do to help find your brother. The important thing is to keep the faith and not lose hope.

Have your brother and sister put up flyers? It sounds like Peter is not getting much exposure.

Also, as we mentioned earlier, if his laptop is still there, to have them check his emails or any sites he frequented in the last couple of months. Check his phone records as well.

Last but not least, I would check his back account. Did he have any financial problems? Is his ATM card missing? Were there any withdrawals in his account.

I'm hoping his ex wife can help out and cooperate with authorities with whatever she knows. Some examples: Did he have a girlfriend? Did he see his children as planned? Did he ever miss any visitations with his children? etc etc

Continued prayers. Hope he comes home safe soon

[ginky41]

Originally Posted by findpete

thanks for your concerns everyone. It is interesting reading. His door was unlocked, and it doesnt appear anything gone. He didnt run though did do a bit of hiking in camel back park? Police did a search of that area. It was on the news over there, my brother and sister flew to the states and did a press conference but as there are no leads I guess they dont have anything to report. It will be 4 weeks this friday, 4 weeks too long.

Thanks findpete. Camel's Back park is a park right down in the North End where Peter lives. It has a big open area at the base, and also a playground. Then, there is a great big sandy hill that I often used to climb as a child. Once you get to the top, probably 75 to a hundred yards up, there are all kids of hiking/biking trails. It's a busy enough area that if he had gotten injured or something, someone would have likely come across him if not within a few hours then by the next day...almost certainly. I haven't been up there in years so I don't remember exactly what the terrain is like, but that area (the "foothills") gets a lot of foot traffic, especially when the weather is nice, and it has been.

It's really unfortunate that LE and the media aren't doing more to get Peter's name out there. Especially since that area is highly traveled. It would make sense to be asking folks to keep their eyes open when they are hiking/biking those areas.

[findpete]

I find it very disturbing that you guys who live in Boise didnt know about this. I live on the other side of the world unfortunately and as I said family did fly over and did press conferences etc and there was many flyers distributed. It is good to get a perspective from people living there. Police are on the case but it is hard to get things done with nothing to go on.

[ginky41]

Originally Posted by findpete

I find it very disturbing that you guys who live in Boise didnt know about this. I live on the other side of the world unfortunately and as I said family did fly over and did press conferences etc and there was many flyers distributed. It is good to get a perspective from people living there. Police are on the case but it is hard to get things done with nothing to go on.

I agree findpete. I don't necessarily sit around and watch every newscast, but it seems that when something is newsworthy over here it gets press. I would like to see more press for Peter. Not much can be done about the economy or the swine flu, but something can be done about finding Peter!!!! I'm going to keep my eyes open and see if I can see fliers anywhere. Findpete: If you have an electronic version of the flier I'd be happy to post some around town! You can always send me a Private Message thru this forum as well.

The last article about Peter on Idahostateman.com (our local newspaper/website) was April 9th. Same date for ktvb.com, our local NBC affiliate.

Prayers to you and all of Peter's family. I hope and pray that he comes home safely.

For Peter

[Kip]

Where Is Peter O'Brien? He just vanished

...Still, O'Brien was under a lot of stress from the divorce and seemed to have some kind of money trouble, Lopez said. Court documents show O'Brien made about $30,000 in the year before the divorce.

"If he disappeared of his own will, which is what I tend to believe, I think stresses became unbearable - financial stresses and emotional stresses with Suzanne and just being a dad and managing two rambunctious boys," Lopez said.

Lopez was told O'Brien took a small amount of money from bank accounts before he disappeared, and his passports are gone.

"For some reason, that all escalated at the end of March. Something pushed it over the top. It's not clear to me what it is," Lopez said.

Another lifelong friend, Carol Cumming of Melbourne, Australia, said she can't imagine a scenario in which Peter would walk away from his family....

[BevAnn]

Wonder how much the "small amount" of money withdrawn was??

$200....$2,000?

I think they know more than they are saying (as they usually do) and it looks like they may think he left willingly.

So sad, if he did leave willingly, how much grief it puts a person's friends and family through.

I hope he's found safe, either way.

[Kip]

Yeah, I think it's looking like he could have left willingly. He could have taken money out of his bank accounts to buy something from an online ad but LE would have probably figured that out. (There are people in my area who place ads on craigslist offering a great deal, cash only, and then rob the people at gunpoint when they show up. The kicker is, they use other people's addresses in ritzy neighborhoods and rob the buyers as soon as they show up.)

If Peter took only $20 or $100 out of an atm, that may or may not be related to his disappearance. The story says money was taken out of bank accounts (plural) -- if that's true it seems like it might be a larger amount.

The passport being missing also points to Peter leaving on his own. But I wonder why he didn't take his wallet. I can see not taking your cell phone if you don't want to be found.

[n/t]

Maybe someone stole his passport and possibly his identity to get out of the country?

I still can't believe he just left on his own. He paid April rent. He accepted a job. He adored his kids. He moved to Boise to be close to them.


Why would he just take off? Something is wrong.