Missing Man: Ben Roseland--IA--02/09/2008

[LoriDavis]

http://www.clintonherald.com/local/local_story_165135006.html

Still no clues in case of missing teen, Ben Roseland
Published: June 13, 2008 01:50 pm             

CLINTON — After four months without a trace of their beloved “Benny,” friends and family of missing Clinton teen Ben Roseland are still desperate for any clues into the disappearance of the young man, who has not been seen since Feb. 9.

“We’re praying all the time,” said Roseland’s aunt, Julie Connell. “It’s never far from our minds.”

Roseland, 19, described by officials as a white male, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, was last seen by friends after leaving the 400 block of 10th Avenue South and heading for Hy-Vee. Roseland never arrived at the store, and has not been seen or heard from since.

Loved ones have conducted several searches in the area, one of which turned up a pair of shoes believed to be Roseland’s, but have not had any real leads concerning the case.

“We just are begging anyone who knows anything to come forward and let us know,” Connell said.

Connell stated that a family friend is maintaining a Web site with up-to-date information and pictures of Roseland, at benroseland.com. He was also recently featured in the Missing Persons section of the America’s Most Wanted Web site, at www.amw.com, and is listed on the databases on the Texas EquuSearch site, www.texasequusearch.org, as well as www.missingkids.com, the Web site for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Roseland’s mom, Theresa, has set up an account at Clinton National Bank, called “Donations for Ben,” to allow community members to make contributions to the family. She noted that the proceeds will be used to help establish a reward, and assist with search costs.

Things have been especially rough for the family recently, with the passing of Ben’s maternal grandmother on Tuesday, and the hospitalization of Jean Roseland, his paternal grandma.

“She kept asking, ‘what happened to Benny? Is he ever going to come home?’” Connell said of Jean. “She was in so much pain, and that was all she was thinking about.”

Family members state that spending Mother’s Day without Ben was extremely difficult, and Ben’s father, Jim, is dreading Father’s Day without his only son.

Connell feels the “Letter to the Unknown,” written by Ben’s aunt, Kathy Roseland, best describes the torturous emotions being felt by the entire family:

“Person unknown, I am not writing this just for Ben, but for that one person who knows where he is and what happened to him. If there was an accident, please find it in your heart to tell us where he is so that we can find him. Not knowing is so painful, everyday that goes by leaves our hearts crying out,” Kathy wrote in the letter she posted on benroseland.com. “Please leave a message with the police about his location.We desperately need to know. Our lives will always be in stress until we find our Ben.”

Those closest to Ben still hold out hope that he will come home safely.

“I see (Ben’s) bedroom from my room with all of his things waiting for him. Our cat, Felix, lays on his bed, missing him, too,” said his younger sister, Helen. “We are praying he comes home every day, and I don’t want to spend his birthday and Christmas without him here, even though I will buy him presents anyway, waiting for his return.” “We can barely function without him,” Theresa said.

[Kelly]

Project Jason Profile:

Missing Person: Benjamin Melvin  Roseland
 
Alias: nickname Ben
Date of Birth: November 24, 1988
Missing Since: February 9, 2008
Missing City: Clinton
Missing State: Iowa
Age at time of disappearance: 19
Gender: Male
Race: White
Height: 5 ft. 11 in.
Weight: 175 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown
Hair (other): short hair, above ears
Eye Color: Blue
Complexion: Fair

Characteristics: Circular scar above lip on left side of face, scar in center of lower lip to chin, and a scar at right corner of mouth, appromimately 1" across cheek.  On chest area, 3/4" scar to right of his left nipple. 

Clothing: Camoflauge bib overalls, blue jeans, brown polo shirt, and brown camoflauge tennis shoes.

Jewelry: None

Circumstances: Benjamin and a friend went to another friend's home.  Ben said he wanted to get something to eat before he went to sleep, so he went across the street to the Hyvee Grocery Store for food and was never seen again.

Medical Conditions:Ben had a face and head injury on November 29th, 2007 and was healing from skull fractures.  Very slight memory loss.

Agency Name: Clinton Police Department
Agency Phone: (563) 243-1457  Corporal Pohl
Case Number: CL08000580

[Kelly]

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/08/09/news/local/doc489d0ca89690c431918592.txt?sPos=3

Clinton teen has been missing for 6 months

By Thomas Geyer | Saturday, August 9, 2008 12:52 AM CDT

Today marks six months since 19-year-old Benjamin Roseland was last seen by family or friends.

The Clinton teen left a friend’s apartment Feb. 9 to walk a few blocks to a Hy-Vee store to get a snack before going to bed. But Roseland never made it to the store, nor back to his friend’s apartment nor to his own home.

He hasn’t been seen or heard from since. While his family is not giving up hope that he returns safe and sound, the pressure and need for closure is great.

“We’re hoping he comes back safe,” said Roseland’s aunt, Julie Connell. “If that’s not meant to be, we hope we find him so we can have closure.”

Connell said the family is using every means available to find Benjamin.

Roseland’s story is now on the Web site ProjectJason.org, a non-profit organization created to increase public awareness of missing people through various outreach and educational activities.

Connell said Project Jason has given her helpful ideas.

According to the organization’s Web site, Target Media Partners works with Project Jason to provide help for families of the missing by publishing the photos and information for each featured campaign in their monthly magazines, “Through the Gears” and “Independent Contractor.” These publications can be found at businesses and truck stops nationwide.

Connell said Roseland’s story is being published in a September issue of at least one of these publications.

“So much has happened since Ben disappeared,” she said. “Ben’s grandmother, Jeannette Hopkins, passed away June 10. His niece will have her first birthday Aug. 28.”

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day were each very hard, she added.

They family is working on building a reward for information about Roseland’s whereabouts, Connell said.

Roseland’s mother, Theresa, said Clinton police are still working the case.

“I guess he (the detective assigned the case) is going back in the case a bit and reinvestigating some things,” Theresa Roseland said Friday. “But nothing new has developed. I talked to them again today. Hopefully something happens there. But nothing’s moving on it.

At the time of his disappearance, Roseland wore camouflage coveralls.

Anyone with information about Roseland is asked to call the Clinton Police Department at (563) 243-1458.

[Kelly]

Ben Roseland and Brianna and Becca Collins are Project Jason's featured missing persons for August 2008. The image you see below, with links to their news and information threads, is on the main page of the Project Jason website. This is one means of awareness for their cases, and with an average of 700 hits to the site daily, we'll reach many with their stories.

If your missing loved one is not registered with us for services, please click here: http://www.projectjason.org/report.html

[Deborah]

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/08/09/news/local/doc489d0ca89690c431918592.txt

Clinton teen has been missing for 6 months
 By Thomas Geyer | Saturday, August 9, 2008

Today marks six months since 19-year-old Benjamin Roseland was last seen by family or friends.

The Clinton teen left a friend’s apartment Feb. 9 to walk a few blocks to a Hy-Vee store to get a snack before going to bed. But Roseland never made it to the store, nor back to his friend’s apartment nor to his own home.

He hasn’t been seen or heard from since. While his family is not giving up hope that he returns safe and sound, the pressure and need for closure is great.

“We’re hoping he comes back safe,” said Roseland’s aunt, Julie Connell. “If that’s not meant to be, we hope we find him so we can have closure.”

Connell said the family is using every means available to find Benjamin.

Roseland’s story is now on the Web site ProjectJason.org, a non-profit organization created to increase public awareness of missing people through various outreach and educational activities.

Connell said Project Jason has given her helpful ideas.

According to the organization’s Web site, Target Media Partners works with Project Jason to provide help for families of the missing by publishing the photos and information for each featured campaign in their monthly magazines, “Through the Gears” and “Independent Contractor.” These publications can be found at businesses and truck stops nationwide.

Connell said Roseland’s story is being published in a September issue of at least one of these publications.

“So much has happened since Ben disappeared,” she said. “Ben’s grandmother, Jeannette Hopkins, passed away June 10. His niece will have her first birthday Aug. 28.”

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day were each very hard, she added.

They family is working on building a reward for information about Roseland’s whereabouts, Connell said.

Roseland’s mother, Theresa, said Clinton police are still working the case.

“I guess he (the detective assigned the case) is going back in the case a bit and reinvestigating some things,” Theresa Roseland said Friday. “But nothing new has developed. I talked to them again today. Hopefully something happens there. But nothing’s moving

on it.

At the time of his disappearance, Roseland wore camouflage coveralls.

Anyone with information about Roseland is asked to call the Clinton Police Department at (563) 243-1458.




Deborah Cox, Volunteer
Case Verification
Project Jason
www.projectjason.org
Please help us with Jason's Birthday Campaign:
http://www.projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=3021.0
If you have seen any of our missing persons, please call the law enforcement agency listed on the post. All missing persons are loved by someone, and their families deserve to find the answers they seek in regards to the disappearance.

[Kelly]

http://www.omahafamily.com/Oct_08_ebook/Oct_08_issue.pdf

Omaha Family Magazine, Oct 2008

Omaha’s Kelly Jolkowski: A Voice for the Missing

By Denise Harrison

It’s after midnight, and once again Vicki Hamilton Loux can’t sleep. This distraught Missouri mom is out of ideas. In desperation, she goes to her
computer and composes an email to send across the miles to a woman she has read about but has never met. It reads:

Hello -
I have a mentally ill missing adult son. His name is Mark Hamilton and he has been missing for 11 years. The police in my area wouldn’t even file a
missing person report until last year and this was after I threatened to go to the media. He was found in another state, far from me, in 01/2005. They
asked him a couple of questions, then let him go. Now no one will file a missing person report again. I need help. Will you please contact me?
Vicki

500 miles away, the email sets off a two-toned chime signaling its arrival on the computer of Omaha resident Kelly Jolkowski. Jolkowski is another mother not sleeping tonight, but this night it’s because there is so much work to be done: missing person posters to be printed, articles to be written, speeches to be crafted.

Back in Missouri, Loux turns away from the computer, wondering what to do next, when the phone rings. Despite the late hour, it’s Jolkowski on the other end. As Jolkowski explained later: “After 11 long years, Vicki finally had someone to talk to who truly understood what it is like to live, day by day, when your child is missing. There was relief in her voice, even with major hurdles in front of us.”

During any given month, Jolkowski may receive dozens upon dozens of such pleas for help from anywhere in the country. The organization she founded, Omaha-based Project Jason, is a place families of the missing can turn when they need advice. Whether their loved one has been missing for days, weeks, or years, the families and friends face ordeals that most people will never know -- frustrations, fears and grief that only people in a similar situation can understand. In Jolkowski, they find someone who does know, and they find a sympathetic soul: Kelly Jolkowski also has a missing loved one. Her son, Jason, disappeared seven years ago.

Before June 13, 2001, she and her husband, Jim, and their two boys lived an ordinary family life. That day, however, their lives changed forever. Jason’s parents were both at work that morning, but Jason’s brother saw him retrieve the trash cans from the driveway -- his normal chore – then he set off on foot, a short seven-block walk, to meet a coworker for a ride to work his shift at a local restaurant. But he never arrived at the meeting location, and he has not been seen since.

There was no place the Kelly and Jim Jolkowski could turn to get advice and comfort. There was no resource to tell them what steps they should be taking. “When we were not able to locate our son, we felt that God was calling us to help other families find missing loved ones and cope with their disappearances,” says Jolkowski. “When we lost Jason, we had no one to turn to who could tell us what we needed to be doing, no one to talk to who would truly understand our terror. So we founded Project Jason in 2003 with the vow that no one else should have to go through what we did without assistance.”

October 6th marks the five-year anniversary of Project Jason. In that short time, the organization has assisted more than 400 families of missing persons, getting their stories in local newspapers, national magazines and even in trucking magazines, getting their missing persons posters in homeless shelters and hospitals, and giving hundreds of one-on-one recommendations. They have helped locate a number of missing persons, and they have distributed more than 50,000 posters and 4,750 photo buttons of missing persons to spread the word. They have also given out more than 13,500 personal ID Kits in English and Spanish. Those kits ensure that families have on hand all the information they need for every family member, from the youngest to the oldest, if ever needed. Kits will be available at Omaha Family Safety Day October 5 at the LaVista Convention Center.

“It’s a great feeling, knowing that Kelly is in our corner. A godsend,” says Julie Connell, whose 19-year-old nephew, Ben Roseland, has been missing from Iowa since this past February. “You hate to have someone go through what Kelly has with her son, and you see that, now, she is now such a positive force in other peoples’ lives. When I read about those she has helped who have returned home, it gives us hope and faith. Kelly is one of those heroes you hear about who goes through something terrible but comes out swinging.”

Jolkowski has, indeed, become a national hero to many. Just this year, she was a featured speaker at both the opening and closing ceremonies for the Ride for the Missing sponsored by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

But don’t confuse Project Jason with organizations that are limited to solely finding missing children. Project Jason helps with all missing persons – persons of any age, gender, race or social status. “They are all loved by someone and deserve to be found,” says Jolkowski.

Missing persons cases, when it comes to those over the age of 17, are not typically easy for police departments to handle. Authorities often assume the missing person will turn up any time or that they simply walked away from their lives. Some police departments insist on a 48-hour waiting period before the family can file a missing person report, thereby losing crucial early hours in a search, even though there is no law that mandates a waiting period.

There are many difficulties associated with missing adults, and this is another area where Jolkowski makes a national impact. Six states, so far, passed new laws based on the organization’s Campaign for the Missing. The initiative improves the law enforcement community’s ability to locate and ensure a safe return of missing persons by outlining specific procedures that should be followed. Those are procedures such as ensuring that DNA, descriptions and photos of the missing person be included in national databases and improving interagency communications about the missing. Project Jason was also behind Nebraska’s Jason’s Law, which created a true missing person’s clearinghouse for missing persons of all ages.

Within days of receiving Loux’s plea for help, Jolkowski thought of a way to help Loux get her son listed once again among the missing. The case was re-opened and his information was added to the FBI’s national database for missing persons. As a result, Loux could receive assistance from the various agencies that help with missing adult’s cases.

Eight months after her son was again listed as a missing person (relisted thanks to Jolkowski’s efforts), Project Jason received an email from a family in Florida who saw his missing person poster on the Project Jason website and believed the man staying with them may be Loux’s missing son. Their calls to local law enforcement about the situation had not been returned. And they felt his mental state required intervention. They finally found his information on the Project Jason website and contacted Jolkowski.

“We enlisted the help of Libba Phillips from Outpost for Hope, an expert on missing mentally ill who knows how to request assistance from mental health crisis professionals in the area,” says Jolkowski. “To our great joy, it was confirmed that the person staying with this family was indeed Mark Hamilton!”

After much coordination with agencies local to the Florida location, finally, after 14 years, Loux had the miracle she longed for. This time, a very different email arrived in the inbox at the Jolkowski home.

“After waiting 14 long years, on Sunday, May 11, 2008, I was able to once again, hug my sweet son, Mark - and on Mother’s Day!” wrote Loux.
“Miracles Do Happen. Prayers Do Get Answered.

And Thank You, Project Jason.

Vicki Hamilton Loux
Mother of Found Son, Mark Hamilton
June 3, 2008"

Certainly, most don’t end as happily as the case of Mark Hamilton. But if Jolkowski had her way, they would. Project Jason relies solely on donations, and has far more goals and projects on behalf of missing persons and their families than current funds allow them to pursue. All donations are tax-deductible and received with love and gratitude. If you would like to contribute, please mail any amount to:

Project Jason
P.O. Box 3035
Omaha, NE 68103

You can donate online at http://www.projectjason.org/help.html

To see the huge variety of initiatives going on at Project Jason, and to view the forums that cover missing persons cases, go to to http://www.projectjason.org.

[Linda]

Ben Roseland



DOB:   Nov 24, 1988
Missing:  Feb 9, 2008
Age at Disappearance: 19
Sex:  Male
Race:  White
Hair:  Brown
Eyes:  Blue
Height:  5'11" (180 cm)
Weight:  175 lbs (79 kg)
Missing From:
CLINTON
IA
United States

Print a poster: http://www.projectjason.org/aan/AAN_BenjaminRoseland.pdf   

Print a poster:
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewPoster&caseNum=1092332&orgPrefix=NCMA&searchLang=en_US

Both photos shown are of Benjamin. He was last seen at home on February 9, 2008. He has a vertical scar which extends from his lower lip to his chin, a scar on the right side of his mouth, a scar on the left side of his nose, and a scar on the upper left side of his chest. His nickname is Ben.

Clinton Police Department (Iowa) 1-563-243-1458

[Kelly]

Benjamin has been placed on Project Jason's 18 Wheel Angels campaign. A special poster has been made for him and can be downloaded and printed for placement. More information about the program, and the link for the poster can be found here:

http://projectjason.org/18wheel.shtml

In addition to the campaign, Benjamin was also featured in a national trucking publication, TruckJobSeekers. This free magazine is distributed in truck stops nationwide and has a circulation of about 150,000.

Through the Gears, TruckJobSeekers, and Independent Contractor are a few of Target Media Partner's many publications. In partnership with Project Jason, they each feature two missing persons each per month. You can pick up your free copies at a local truck stop, but if it's far from you, you may want to call and ask if they carry that magazine. These are NOT with the regular for purchase magazines.

We hope this helps in the search for Benjamin. Please consider printing and placing a poster in businesses in your community.



Thank you.

Kelly, Project Jason

[Kelly]

A story written exclusively for the 18 Wheel Angels campaign by Ben's family:

BENJAMIN MELVIN ROSELAND

Devastation, heart wrenching, soul crushing, cry your eyes out until you are completely lifeless.  That is what my family has been feeling since the day we realized our son was missing and the possibility that he may never return to us.

Ben Roseland disappeared on the night of February 9th, 2008 on his way across the street to the local Hyvee Grocery Store in Clinton, Iowa.  He had been out with a friend and before going to bed, walked to the store to grab a bite to eat.  He never made it to the store and has not been seen since.

Ben is the kind of young man who loved his family and his job at D.M. Services in Clinton, Iowa.  Everyone at D.M. Services loves and respects him.  Ben’s mother, Theresa remarks, “Ben is a hard worker, dedicated, intelligent, goofy, loving, handsome young man, and missed by everyone.”

Theresa writes a special note to her son on his website, “Benjamin, if you see this, please let me know that you are okay, I love you and miss you very, very much.”  Ben’s father, Jim has had a hard time making him self eat as he has lost over 25 pounds off his lanky, six foot, frame, since Ben’s disappearance.  The fear of  “not knowing” Ben’s whereabouts just rips at his heart.  Jim begs of his son, “Ben, come back already (if you can), I miss you and will miss you this fishing and hunting season.”  “I love you son”.  “I need you to come home safe and sound”. 

Ben has his two sisters, Helen, Audra, and his only niece, Mara Jean.  Ben’s younger sister, Helen, cries out to him on his website, “Ben, I love and miss you, I was finally feeling like we were connecting and I was hoping we’d just keep getting closer.” Helen sums up her feelings about her brother, Ben, “every night before I go to sleep, I look across the hall into your bedroom and see our cat, Felix, just lying on your bed waiting for your safe return”. “Come back Ben”, she continues, “I really do miss you and the smiles you gave me”. 
   
Ben’s older sister, Audra tries to be strong for her little, daughter, Mara Jean.  Mara will turn a year old on August 28th and we are all praying that Mara’s only uncle will be present at the Birthday festivities.  “Ben, we love you so much, you are Mara’s only uncle, she needs you, come back”!
   
The Roseland Family Plea is directed to someone who may know of Benjamin’s whereabouts:

“Person Unknown”.
 
We are writing this for that one person who knows where Ben is and what happened to him.  If there was an accident, please find it in your heart to tell us where he is so we can find him.  Not knowing is so painful!  Every day that goes by leaves our hearts crying out “where ARE you, Ben? 

If you have any information about Ben’s location, please leave a message with the Clinton Police Department in Clinton, Iowa.  Their phone number is (563) 243-1458.  We desperately need to know what happened to Ben and we will always be in stress until we find him.  We Beg of you, please! 
   
Sincerely,
The Family of Benjamin Melvin Roseland

Please keep Ben in your thoughts and prayers and thank you so much for your time.

[LoriDavis]

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/11/14/news/iowa/doc491e5a9b3d463674986292.txt?sPos=3

Family of missing Clinton man plans vigil
By Steven Martens
Friday, November 14, 2008 11:18 PM CST

CLINTON, Iowa — The family of Benjamin Roseland, a Clinton man who has been missing since February, will hold a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Nov. 22 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Clinton.

Roseland, 19, has been missing since Feb. 9, when he left a friend’s apartment to go to the nearby Hy-Vee store and has not been heard from since.

Roseland turns 20 on Nov. 24. The public is invited to attend the vigil and bring birthday cards or notes for Roseland.

Anyone with information about Roseland is asked to call the Clinton Police Department at (563) 243-1458.

[Jenn]

http://www.clintonherald.com/local/local_story_326112429.html
Published: November 21, 2008 11:24 am     

Family will mark missing loved one’s 20th birthday

Community asked to attend vigil for Ben Roseland

CLINTON — For the first time since her only son went missing in February, Theresa Roseland made the mistake of getting her hopes up.

After posters of her son, Ben Roseland, were recently placed in locations across the country by 18-Wheel Angels, an organization made up of truck drivers who volunteer their time to help families find their missing loved ones, Theresa received a call at home from a man in Redding, Calif., who thought he might have spotted the missing teen.

According to Theresa, the man was “80 percent sure” that the boy he had seen on the street begging for money was the one he had seen on Ben’s missing poster. The teen has not been seen since Feb. 9, when he left a friend’s home on 10th Avenue South to get something to eat at Hy-Vee.

The Redding sighting resulted in a 10-day manhunt coordinated by Clinton police and authorities in California, but the search came up empty.

“For those 10 days she had such high hopes that maybe Ben was alive and OK,” said Theresa’s sister-in-law, Julie Connell. “It was absolutely devastating when it turned out to be nothing.”

Theresa confirms that she will not make the same mistake again.

“That was the one time since this all started that I let myself get my hopes up, so that was very difficult,” Theresa said. “I need to just stay steady, like I have been, and not get my hopes up about anything until concrete proof is here.”

According to Theresa, the posters placed by the 18-Wheel Angels have resulted in four possible sightings in four different states, but nothing has turned up. She says Clinton police continue to investigate leads, but no real progress has been made in the case.

“It’s not knowing that is the worst,” Theresa said. “Everybody is so upset, family members can’t sleep. Everybody is just hanging in limbo.”

Theresa has begun to accept the fact that Ben may no longer be alive, and says family members are working to bring in teams to the area that could help locate any remains.

“You want to believe that he’s wandering around and doesn’t know where he is, but it doesn’t look that way,” Theresa said. “At least it will give us closure, and we’ll know where he is.”

Theresa feels the last people to see Ben alive may know more than they have reported, and she urges his friends to contact law enforcement with any information.

“We need someone to speak up, because somebody’s got to know something,” Theresa said. “I want them to quit being afraid, and do what they know is right in their heart, and speak up and tell the truth.”

Theresa suggests that anonymous calls can also be made to Clinton County Crime Stoppers at 242-6595.

The family has organized a candlelight vigil for tomorrow in honor of Ben’s 20th birthday, which is Nov. 24. The vigil will take place Saturday at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, located at 316 S. Fourth St. Community members are encouraged to attend to support the family, and honor Ben on his birthday.

“We’re praying that the vigil is well attended because it makes the family feel like the community cares, and it’s a really good feeling for (Ben’s parents) Jim and Theresa,” Connell said. “We’re very grateful for all the help we’ve gotten from the community, and we want to keep up public awareness.”

Connell states that candles will be available at the vigil, and the family has chosen songs to be sung by the group. Gerry Herrity will be on-hand to read a special poem selected by the family, and Mayor Rodger Holm is also slated to say a few words.

“We’re praying that wherever Ben is, he is celebrating his 20th birthday,” Connell said. “We’re having this vigil because we’re thinking about him, and wherever he may be, we want him to know that we haven’t forgotten about him.”

[Kelly]

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/11/20/news/local/doc492645c02c211549732898.txt

Benjamin Roseland case: Family of missing Clinton man wants closure, clinging to hope

By Steven Martens | Thursday, November 20, 2008 |

CLINTON, Iowa — It’s been almost 10 months since Benjamin Roseland left a friend’s apartment in Clinton to go to the grocery store. He hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

Roseland’s family and friends will host a candlelight vigil on Saturday, two days before Roseland’s 20th birthday, to remind the community that Roseland still is missing and encourage anyone who might have information about him to contact the authorities.

“Somebody out there has to know something,” said Roseland’s mother, Theresa Roseland. “I just wish they would come forward.”

The vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Clinton. Those who attend are asked to bring birthday cards for Roseland.

Roseland’s aunt, Julie Connell, said while the family holds out hope that Roseland is alive and well somewhere, they also have been working for months to arrange for a search of the Clinton area with search teams that specialize in finding human remains.

Connell said the family wants to “leave no stone unturned” in the Clinton area in the hopes of finding Roseland before it snows, which would make searching more difficult.

“The thought of him being out there another winter is pretty hard for us to take,” she said.

Connell said she and other family members put off suggesting to Theresa Roseland that they contact search teams that specialize in human remains because they didn’t want her to stop believing that her son was still alive and well.

Now, Connell said, Roseland’s mother and the rest of the family just want him found.

Theresa Roseland agreed.

“It’s been hard to keep our hopes up,” she said. “We hope we find him, one way or another. Hopefully alive.”

Sgt. Tom Bohle of the Clinton Police Department said a few search teams have been contacted, but no searches have been scheduled. Police have received leads since Roseland’s disappearance, but none have panned out, he said.

Project Jason, an organization that assists the families of missing people, has coordinated with a group of truck drivers known as “18-Wheel Angels” to spread information about Roseland across the country, Connell said. One tip about a possible sighting of Roseland came from California, but didn’t pan out, she said.

Theresa Roseland said she is grateful to everyone who has assisted in the search for her son.

To help

A vigil for Benjamin Roseland will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Clinton, Iowa.

Anyone with information about Roseland’s whereabouts can contact the Clinton Police Department at (563) 243-1458.

[Jenn]

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2009/02/05/news/local/doc498a60fb168e4358880311.txt?sPos=3

Family of missing Clinton man to hold vigil

By Steven Martens | Thursday, February 5, 2009 12:29 AM CST |

CLINTON, Iowa — Nearly one year after Ben Roseland left a friend’s apartment to walk to a nearby grocery store and disappeared, his family is still hoping to find out what happened to him.

Roseland, who was 19 at the time of his disappearance, was last seen Feb. 9, 2008, when he left the apartment of a friend to walk to Hy-Vee. He has not been seen or heard from since.

The family will hold a vigil from 4-6 p.m. Sunday at the Eagles Club, 222 1/2 S. 2nd St., Clinton.

Roseland’s aunt, Julie Connell, said it has been a difficult year for Roseland’s family, and that family members have reluctantly come to the conclusion that it’s not likely that “Benny” is still alive.

“Deep down your gut, instinct tells you that he’s no longer with us,” Connell said.

But Roseland’s family believes he would not have left town suddenly without telling anyone or making contact with his family.

“He didn’t just disappear,” Connell said. “Somebody knows something.”

Connell said she has been in contact with search teams that specialize in finding human remains, but those teams likely will have to wait until spring to conduct a search. She said it is important to the family that they do everything they can to find out what happened to Roseland.

Police are still investigating, and anyone with information about Roseland may call the Clinton Police Department at (563) 243-1455.

[Jenn]

http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=9800113&nav=menu132_3_5

Clinton teenager missing for a year

Posted: Feb 6, 2009 07:54 AM
Updated: Feb 6, 2009 08:15 AM

by Kristy Mergenthal

CLINTON, Iowa -- A Clinton family continues to search for their son, a year after his disappearance.

It was a chilly March 1, 2008 when the family of Ben Roseland put on their red bands of unity, signifying the search of their son and nephew.

Now 364 days later, and no word of his whereabouts, Ben's family says they are living out every parents worst nightmare.

"Just tears you up, you don't understand and hope that he just took off and forgot who was and walked off" said Marge Nance, Ben's Aunt.

After a year of searches, candle light vigils and dead end leads, some of Ben's family fears the worst.

"It doesn't look good because of the lack of phone records, no bank account activity, if he is not around, we want to find him so we can bury him," said Ben's aunt, Julie Connell.

While his mother, Theresa Roseland remains hopeful her son is still alive.

"I don't feel like he's gone, you can't get anything done if you fall apart, can't do anything then" said Theresa.

Ben's family to this day considers his disappearance suspicious, but wonders if a car accident he suffered head injuries in just weeks before had anything to do with him vanishing.

"We really speculated on that because he had skull fractures that were healing so any fall could have done something don't know," said Theresa Roseland.

The Roseland family is now raising money to bring in national known search teams, as one year later they continue their search holding another vigil Sunday.

"I'd like to know where he is. I don't want closure, I'd just rather assume know he was some place, some town, somewhere and doesn't know who he is" said Marge Nance.

[Kathylene]

Bill Board Launched For Missing Clinton, Iowa Man
CUE Center for Missing Persons Seeks Information for Ben Roseland

Wilmington, NC: Ben Roseland disappeared on February 9, 2008 from Clinton, Iowa after leaving a friends home and was last seen near the 400 block of 10th Avenue South, Clinton, Iowa to walk a few blocks to a grocery store, but he never arrived. No one has heard from him since and there has been no activity on his cell phone or bank account. Ben was last seen wearing camouflage overalls; he was 19 years old at the time he vanished, with brown hair and blue eyes, although slender he weighed 175 pounds and stood 5’11 in height.

The family of Mr. Roseland contacted the CUE Center for Missing Persons, a national
Organization for missing persons to aid in their case last year; now a renewed effort is underway, starting with the recent bill board erected that is located at 6th Ave. North and 2nd Street in Clinton. “We hope this effort will provide new information and or tips for the investigators in the case”; “reaching out in a large form to a community can afford people contact information and reach those who might not be aware of this case”, said CUE’s founder, Monica Caison.

Last September CUE placed a bill board on a busy highway in North Carolina for a missing woman of 31/2 years hoping for a break and it did just that. In two weeks of the erection of the board a tipster contacted law officials leading them to a recovery of human remains and within days of the discovery an arrest was made, solving the case of the missing woman who left four grieving children behind.

Anyone with information regarding Ben's whereabouts can contact the Clinton Police Department at (563) 243-1458.

CUE Center for Missing Person (910) 343-1131 or 24 hour line (910) 232-1687
cuecenter@aol.com or visit them on the web www.ncmissingpersons.org