Post by Scumhunter on Jun 24, 2019 2:14:11 GMT -5
(Above: Cavanaugh, circa 2005. Photo Credit: Charley Project)
Missing Person Profile for Donald Cavanaugh as of June 24th, 2019: (Based on Charley Project website profile)
Full Name: Donald James Cavanaugh
Missing Since: 3/01/2005
Missing From: Ukiah, California
Date of Birth: 7/26/1941
Age (at time of disappearance): 63 years old
Height and Weight: 5'8, 140 pounds
Medical Conditions: Cavanaugh was in poor health at the time of his disappearance and still weak from a recent quadruple bypass surgery. He is classified as disabled.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Gray hair, blue eyes. Cavanaugh may use the middle name Jim or the initials JC, and he may spell his first name "Donnald."
(Above: Neily, circa 2006. Photo Credits: Charley Project)
Missing Person Profile for David Neily as of June 24th, 2019: (Based on Charley Project website profile)
Full Name: David Virgil Neily
Missing Since: 4/14/2006
Missing From: Westport, California
Date of Birth: 11/29/1936
Age (at time of disappearance): 69 years old
Height and Weight: 5'5, 150 pounds
Clothing/Jewelry Description: Unknown, but he usually wears jeans, a t-shirt, a leather jacket and a hat.
Medical Conditions: Neily suffers from bipolar disorder and takes medication to control his condition.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Gray hair, green eyes. Neily had a white beard and mustache at the time of his disappearance. He has a C-shaped surgical scar on the left side of his chest, running from his armpit to just under his left breast. He has a scar on his hip measuring three inches long by a quarter-inch thick, and a six-inch surgical scar on his abdomen running through his navel. Four of Neily's lower teeth are missing, though it looks like he is only missing two. He had stunted growth due to a heart murmur and, as a result, the size of his legs are not proportional with his body.
(Above: James DeNoyer, circa 2006, considered a person of interest in both Cavanaugh and Neily's disappearances)
From the Charley Project:
Details of Disappearance
Cavanaugh grew up in Ottawa, Illinois and owned a horse ranch in Elgin, Illinois as an adult. He got into financial trouble and his health broke down, and he was unable to keep up with his ranch, although he continued to work with other people's horses.
In 2004, his nephew, James "Jimmy" DeNoyer, suggested they go into the horse ranching business in Westport, California. DeNoyer had a twenty-acre plot there which he used to grow marijuana. DeNoyer drove to Illinois and picked up his uncle, and Cavanaugh selected 14 horses to stock the ranch.
Cavanaugh and DeNoyer found they didn't like each other, however, and Cavanaugh was unimpressed with his nephew's ranch setup. The horses were being badly treated and many of them died, and Cavanaugh wanted out of the business, but DeNoyer insisted they keep trying and bought more horses. Meanwhile, the two men continued to argue with each other and DeNoyer had full control of all of Cavanaugh's money. A photo of DeNoyer is posted with this case summary.
Just before Christmas in 2004, Cavanaugh was taken to the San Francisco Airport by DeNoyer, allegedly at gunpoint. He was stranded there without money or transportation for three days before a friend picked him up.
Cavanaugh stayed with the friend for a few weeks, then went to Plowshares, a facility for the indigent in Ukiah, California. Other people there heard him say he wanted to go back to DeNoyer's property to get his belongings and his three dogs. This, in March 2005, is the last time anyone saw him. He was reported missing in May.
David Neily, another man connected to DeNoyer, vanished on April 14, 2006. He went to DeNoyer's Westport property to pick up a truck, and was never seen again. Both of his vehicles were found on DeNoyer's land in July.
In December 2005, Mendocino County Animal Control seized 36 of DeNoyer's quarter horses; it was the largest such intervention in county history. The horses had been severely neglected and were starving and without shelter.
Police arrested the ranch caretaker and also seized four healthy dogs, three of which had belonged to Cavanaugh. The caretaker was subsequently released without charge and the dogs returned to DeNoyer.
DeNoyer said he was unaware of how his horses were being treated and blamed the caretakers he'd hired to look after them. He was indicted on 36 felony counts of cruelty to animals, but at trial the jury was unable to reach a verdict.
DeNoyer is considered a person of interest in both Neily and Cavanaugh's disappearances, but he hasn't been charged in either case. Foul play is suspected.
charleyproject.org/case/david-virgil-neily
Thoughts? I am making one thread for both Cavanaugh and Neily's disappearances because of the seeming connections and likelihood they may be related. Also, both men's disappearances were profiled as one story on Dateline NBC's digital series called 'Missing in America': www.nbcnews.com/feature/missing-in-america/missing-america-donald-cavanaugh-david-neily-n132501
Admin Note #1: According to the Charley Project website, anyone having information on either Donald Cavanaugh or David Neily's disappearances should call the Mendocino County Sheriff's Department at (707)-463-4095
Admin Note #2: If you have any news-related updates on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form