The results of a DNA test eventually showed, according to the FBI, that the juvenile in question was not the child who had gone missing. Um Just that we loved him and how hard we looked, how hard they looked with Aurora Illinois police and law enforcement agencies from across the region. The latest: The man who claimed to Timmothy Pitzen, a boy who disappeared in 2011, has been charged with making false statements. On May 14, 2011, at approximately 12:30 p.m., a hotelkeeper almost went into a panic when she discovered Amys body lying on the bed and saw a note. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1171960/1/screen. The real Timmothy Pitzen was last seen in The police discovered Amys SUV close to the highway where it had been abandoned. He was picked up by his mother from an Aurora school 10 years ago Tuesday and was last seen a few days later. He had been arrested after throwing a wild party in a house that was not his own. Timmothy Pitzen Nov 18, 2022 Is Timmothy Pitzen Alive? She dropped her vehicle off at a repair shop at 10:00 AM. Funny little things he said silly things he did. The then-6-year-old disappeared with his mother, Amy Pitzen. For resources on how to have that conversation, visit missingkids.com/home. Also surprising to him was the fact that Timothy had vanished without a trace. Investigators hope the new age-progression photo will help someone recognize the missing boy. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Man who claimed to be Timmothy Pitzen pleads guilty to aggravated identity theft, DNA tests determine person who claimed to be missing boy is not Timmothy Pitzen, Detectives not giving up search for missing Timmothy Pitzen. "While I'm sure his name is something different, he will still have memories from that age, even if they're suppressed. On the morning of May 11, 2011 Timmothy's father, James dropped his son off for kindergarten at Greenman Elementary School in Aurora, IL. He eventually gave up trying to reach her. "Timmothy's case is just one case out of thousands and thousands of cases," said Angeline Hartmann of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. His real identity is Brian Rini. It seemed like something normal she would say then, as I lived states away and only visited over school breaks, but I never realized how true it would become. According to the police, Fry-cell Pitzens phone, I-Pass, and the clothing she was seen wearing on other surveillance videos, in addition to Timothys Spider-Man backpack and his toys from the SUV, remained missing years after the boy vanished. [4], At 7:25p.m. May 13, 2011, Fry-Pitzen was seen, alone, on security cameras at a Family Dollar store in Winnebago, Illinois, where she purchased a pen, notepaper and envelopes. Investigators said Amy Pitzen died by suicide and left a note saying Timmothy would be well taken care of. An age-progressed image from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, released Timmothys dad eventually revealed he and Amy were going through a difficult moment in their relationship but never expected she would do such a thing. The family of an Illinois boy who disappeared in 2011 said they fear harassment from an Ohio man who, in 2019, claimed to be the missing boy. It had to do with Amy and her friends partying all night long without informing Jim, and it happened while Amy was with her friends. Only 45 minutes earlier, Timmothy's dad Jim Pitzen Amy decided to stay, but their relationship was far from plain sailing therein. Timmothy Pitzen was 6 years old when he disappeared in 2011. Timmothy Pitzen of Aurora, Illinois, disappeared in in 2011 when he was 6 years old. While there, she bought a pen, some paper, and envelopes. As of January 7th, it has been confirmed that Rini will plead guilty to aggravated identity theft and will serve up to eight years in prison. "Of course, as time has gone on I've thought maybe she could have, but I always go back to thinking he's still out there alive somewhere. This content is imported from YouTube. The FBI announced on Thursday that the teen found wandering the streets is not Timmothy Pitzen. But now, Jen tends to feel sadness more than anything. If you watch it, I really hope you like it! View and share Timmothys missing poster here. ', Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552.Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, Heartbroken dad issues warning after son, 13, dies in TikTok challenge, Red flag after possible suspect in missing brothers case made eerie request, Two dead and four injured after 19-year-old 'opens fire at prom after party', $80k reward offered for shooting suspect Francisco Oropesa after five killed, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Timmothy Pitzen has been missing for the last 11 years, with few clues ever found by police, Timmothy was taken out of school in Aurora, Illinois by his mom Amy on May 11, 2011, The last known footage of Timmothy alive was captured on May 13, 2011, as they checked out of a hotel and resort park in Wisconsin, Amy, who suffered from bouts of depression, was found dead on May 14, 2011, after taking her own life, Amy left a note behind saying Timmothy was safe but would never be found, An age-processed image released in 2021 shows what Timmothy might look like now, Credit: Aurora Illinois Police Department, Amy is seen leading Timmothy out of school by his hand, Timmothy's family says there were no warning signs before Amy took off with the boy, Eleven years later, leads in the case have been few and far between, Timmothy's aunt believes he may have been given away by Amy in an illegal adoption scheme before taking her own life, Police continue to investigate Timmothy's disappearance, The family was given false hope in 2019 when Brian Rini claimed to be Timmothy as part of a cruel hoax. At one point, detectives believe Amy pulled off the main road but it's not clear if this was to hand off Timmothy, or potentially dispose of his body. [3], Between 12:00p.m. and 1:30p.m. on May 13, 2011, Fry-Pitzen telephoned several family members, including her mother and brother-in-law, telling them that she and Timmothy were safe and not in any danger. Rini just got out of prison last month after serving more than a year. Timmothy's aunt said it was like re-living the day Timmothy disappeared all over again. Then, between 11:15-11:30, she checked into the Rockford Inn in Rockford, IL, still without Timmothy. The inn's employees found her body at 12:30 p.m. the next day, May 14. "He got on social media, invited all of his friends over and for the next couple days partied inside the houseHe's, he's notorious for this kind of stuff," said Chief Tim Sopkovich of the Brunswick Hills, Ohio Police Department. The next day she was found in a nearby motel, with a suicide note written out next to her. Click below for updated story. "I guess we're still kind of asking ourselves that," Jen added. Documentary Unearths New Details in Missing Aurora Boy Mystery Timmothy Pitzen Nov 18, 2022 that benefits the victims. Kelly Clarkson's Home Collection Is Up to 74% Off During Way Day Deals, The Best Wayfair Way Day Deals 2023 Starting at $30, Wayfair's Way Day Sale Includes Up to 60% Off Outdoor Furniture Here's What to Shop ASAP, Amazon Has So Many Good Mother's Day Gifts on Sale Right Now. Despite Amy's past mental health struggles and the apparent frictions in her marriage, Jen said there were no warning signs or red flags in the lead up to Timmothy's disappearance to suggest anything like this would or ever could happen. Your request has been submitted, Dear Tim - 10 Year Missing Mark in Timmothy Pitzen Case. Inside the SUV, forensic investigators also found a "concerning amount of blood" in the backseat belonging to Timmothy. Timmothy Pitzen is another, and like both Timmothy and Kayla, most were taken by a parent or relative and never seen again. Aurora Police spokesman Sgt. Timmothy's case is prominently featured on the website. This Web site is funded, in part, through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. He went missing on may 12th 2011 at six years old. In December, a 23-year-old Ohio man claimed he was Pitzen. "But when he went back to pick him up, he wasn't there.". The bag and toys belonging to Timothy were nowhere to be found, and according to the police, the concerning amount of blood that was found in her SUV belonged to Timothy. "We've been hopeful, ultimately hopeful and frightened and it's just been exhausting," said Alana Anderson, Timmothy's grandmother. Per what police told WLWT5, Rini is a Records show Rini has lied to law enforcement before. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. RAW VIDEO: Timmothy Pitzen last seen on surveillance video. But the claim was quickly revealed to be a cruel lie. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this Web site (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). Before Fry-son Pitzens Timothy was born in 2004, she got married to Jim and became pregnant with their second child. But never in the past had she taken their son on one such drive. Brian Michael Rini, Um Mhm But now I just feel, I just hope he's happy of all the horrible decisions she made that day. Amy and Timothy were reportedly seen for the last time leaving the school at approximately 8:30 in the morning, as shown by the surveillance footage. "I never in a million years thought that she would do anything like this.". You you think you have *** normal life and *** normal family and then wep it's gone gone but far from forgotten. But Jim couldn't reach Amy. James Pitzen hopes a man's false claim about being his missing son will help bring Timmothy's case more exposure. The case was still being considered. A man who claimed to be Timmothy Pitzen, who disappeared in 2011 at age 6, has been sentenced to two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, federal Surveillance images found later show Amy and Timmothy checking into hotels connected to amusement parks across Illinois and Wisconsin over the course of three days. He identified himself as Timmothy Pitzen. 11 years missing: Timmothy Pitzen would now be 17 years old Timmothy Pitzen was last seen alive on May 12, 2011, in Wisconsin Dells. When Mr. Pitzen went to pick up his son from school, later on, he was taken aback by the fact that he was unaware of his wifes behavior and was surprised by it. She told the school there was a family emergency. advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. Its heartbreaking to know that we have now been Around this time, James went to pick Timmothy up from school. Please help me. Anyone who may have information about Timmothy's whereabouts was asked to call The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or the Aurora Police Department's Timmothy Pitzen Tip Line at 630-256-5516. The disappearance of Timmothy Pitzen shocked Illinois and the rest of the US, mainly because his mother wrote nobody would ever find him and then took her own life. The only thing found on the knife that Fry-Pitzen used to kill herself was her own blood; Timothy was nowhere to be found. "We hope this new image created by NCMEC forensic artists will allow someone to recognize what Timmothy might look like today and help us find him.". The two went to the zoo in Brookfield, Illinois, and spent the night at a resort in Gurnee, Illinois. For the next several hours Amy's whereabouts are completely unknown. Vivienne Jolie-Pitt Age, Family, Bio and More, Cindy Landon Net Worth, Salary, Age, Height, Weight, Bio, Wiki, Facts, and Age of Joan Templeman (Richard Bransons Wife), Jamie Bell Actor, Height, Age, Movies, Net Worth, Facts, Wife, Chase Chrisley Wiki, Biography, Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Sarah Shahi Age, Net Worth, Husband, Family & Biography, PhootosCelebrities is an all-in-one independent Celebrities net worth information platform where we encourage unbiased reporting in the most ethical manner. If you have any information about Timmothy Pitzen, you are urged to contact the Aurora Police Department at 1-630-256-5216, or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST, thats 1-800-846-5678. They returned and retrieved their vehicle at 3:00 PM, and drove to the KeyLime Cove Resort in Gurnee, where they spent the night. She was found dead on May 14. Is he in Alaska or something? Jim, meanwhile was beside himself with worry and was "unable to function", she said. Amy also apologized for the mess and pointed out that Timmothy was safe with people who loved him. [4] Fry-Pitzen failed to contact her husband, however, who had been attempting to locate the pair after being notified by his son's school that he was not present when he arrived to pick him up at the end of the school day on May 11. "We were also asking ourselves, where is Tim? Thanks to that Green journal. Jim said it was like ripping off a scab, while Anderson just labeled it as awful and exhausting.. Funeral for Zachary Esparza today Local News / Apr 17, 2023 Its never said that they found remnants of the food or trash in the hotel room, but knowing whether she consumed it or someone else did would help us determine if she bought them for Timmothy who was maybe waiting in the car, or with someone else, while she was in the store. Fry-Pitzen's body was subsequently found in a motel room in the city of Rockford, Illinois, having died by suicide, with a note stating that Timmothy was safe, but would never be found. 05-11-2021. "He was just standing by a carmore suspicious than anything," Sharon Hall said. claiming he had just escaped from his abusive captors who were holed up at a nearby motel. I made a video about the Timmothy Pitzen case and its most recent updates, which will be linked at the bottom if youd like to watch - I did my best to make it as tasteful, visually appealing, and straightforward as possible. "Amy followed through on that promise, which unfortunately hasn't changed yet," Jen said. The 43-year-old had slashed her wrists with a razor blade and overdosed on antihistamines. At 1:30PM that same day, Amy made phone cellphone calls to her loved ones saying that she and her son were safe and not in trouble. In 2011, 6-year-old Timmothy Amy Fry-Pitzen was found dead in a Rockford motel. Friday, authorities announced Rini has been charged by the FBI for making false statements to a federal agent. The grief often comes back to her in waves, she said, and can manifest in a number of different forms. On May 11, 2011, surveillance video captured Timmothy's mother, 43-year-old Amy Fry Pitzen, picking him up from Greenman Elementary School in Aurora. "I was just in the waiting room trying to keep it together because I didn't want my best friend to know and for it to overshadow the memory of her child's birth. Reports claim Amy Also likely in the back of Jim's mind was the fact that Amy had a history of severe depression and had twice previously attempted to take her own life, once before they got together and a second time not long after they started dating. Aurora police are investigating Timmothy's case. Only a couple hours later, their wife and mother Amy Fry They were reported missing by his father after several unanswered phone calls. I don't know how my brother feels. But if youd rather not, heres the rundown: On the morning of May 11th, 2011,James Pitzen dropped his son Timmothy Pitzen off at Greenman Elementary school. He told investigators that he had heard of Timmothy and his case from the television show 20/20. In 2013, Pitzen's cellphone was recovered from a roadside ditch near Rockford. "It's hard to believe that we have been searching for Timmothy for 10 long years now," said Timmothy's father, Jim Pitzen. James carried out an exhaustive investigation at their residence as well as at Amys place of employment. Um You know this is something that comes out of nowhere. Unfortunately, Timmothy Pitzen was last seen on CCTV camera next to his mother on May 13, 2011, at the Kalahari resort in Wisconsin. Only 30 minutes later, Timmothys mother, Amy Fry-Pitzen, went to the school claiming she needed to check her son out due to a family emergency. The next day, after no replies to repeated phone calls, Timmothys father reported his wife and son missing. Channel: FOX 2 St. Louis. At 8PM, she went to Sullivans Foods to purchase crackers & milk. So many people love you and your Mom. [4][5] At 11:15p.m., she checked into the Rockford Inn at Rockford, Illinois, where sometime that night or the next morning, she took her own life by slashing her wrists and neck and overdosing on antihistamines. "[10], James Pitzen has stated that he believes his son is still alive. Amy told her mom everything was okay, and they would come back home after a couple of days because she needed some space. Timmothy was heard in the background during the calls, saying that he was hungry. "There have been few credible leads since his disappearance. It is important to point out that Jim didnt know Amy had picked Timmothy up from school until he returned at the end of the day. His disappearance remains unsolved. According to True Crime Daily, she also reassured him that everything was going well before revealing to Jims brother that Timothy belonged solely to Jim and no one else. "We believe he is out there and we hope every day that he will make his way home.". I don't think she did anything. In an exclusive interview. She had died by suicide. Back home 150 miles away, having still not heard from Amy, Jim filed a missing person report with the Aurora Police Department, who entered Timmothy's name into a national database for missing children. According to the sources, Amy and her son Timothy checked into their room at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin on May 12, 2011. But when we do we all cry. There have been leads in the boy's disappearance over the years, but none as promising as this. Pitzen's aunt and grandmother have always believed Timmothy is still alive. The mother did not have her son with her when she checked into the Rockford Inn at 11:15 p.m., according to the authorities. -. In 2019, Timmothy Pitzens story got an update. Investigators said his mother, 43-year-old Amy Pitzen, picked up her son from Greenman Elementary School and he was never seen again. news.AmoMama.com does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. "We believe he is out there and we hope every day that he will make his way home. Find out what went down when Amy picked up her son from school and drove him to a location from which they were unable to return. He checked everywhere but didnt find them. After Timothy's mom, Alana's daughter Amy was found dead of an apparent suicide in *** Rockford hotel. Timmothy belongs to me. I just write down things that I remember about him. "This is just not something that happens to people. From this point onwards, the trail of Amy and Timmothy's movements turns cold. Glassman said Rini became aware of the Pitzen case from an old 20/20 episode that had rerun a few weeks ago. They were unable to determine specifically where this may have happened. -------------------------------------------------------------------------. He and his wife and his 6-year-old son, Timmothy, had been living in another Timmothy vanished while on a road trip with his mother in 2011 when he was 6 years old. news.AmoMama.com speaks out against the above mentioned and news.AmoMama.com advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. Born on October 18, 2004 and raised in Aurora, Illinois, Timmothy was described as a smart, high-energy and fun-loving little boy who loved matchbox cars, riding his bike and cuddling with his cat and dog. According to the authorities, she killed herself. Amy bought a pen, paper, and some envelopes before exiting the store. Police said there was no useful information on the phone. And this isnt the first time that hes posed as a trafficking victim: in fact, he has committed this crime twice before. New image released of Timmothy Pitzen, missing Aurora boy. "Tim was Amy's whole world," she explained, "and deep down in my heart, I can't imagine her ever doing something to harm him physically. Search for Timmothy Pitzen leads to Iowa during week of his 18th birthday By Rob Stafford and Lisa Capitanini, NBC Chicago Oct 21, 2022 Updated Oct 21, 2022 0 One of her notes said no one would ever find him. Is it because of sheer lack of manpower and resources, or is he actually alive somewhere? Police are continuing their search. One key piece of evidence recovered by police was found beneath Amy's car: pieces of long weeds, tall grass, and dirt that were lodged beneath the rear bumper. Did Deanna Burditt Marry Rick Harrison Because Of His Money? Pitzen asserts that his wifes habit of traveling with friends and their financial situation were frequent sources of conflict between them. Fox News has Timmothy Pitzen Update. Upon investigation, there were several items missing: Timmothy's Spiderman backpack, his toys and clothes, the clothes Amy was wearing when she checked out of the Kalahari Resort, a tube of kids Crest toothpaste and an iPass transponder. Thursday marks 11 years since a boy went missing from Aurora, Illinois.Timmothy Pitzen was last seen alive on May 12, 2011, in Wisconsin Dells.The boy would be 17 years old today. Pitzen has not been seen since. [12][13], On April 3, 2019, local residents in Newport, Kentucky called the police to report a teenager wandering the streets after running across a bridge over the Ohio River. We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. In 2019, Timmothy Pitzens story got an update. On May 12, they checked into the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. (Video above: Timmothy Pitzen's grandmother reflects on his disappearance)The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an age-progression photo in 2021 of what Timmothy might look like.The then-6-year-old disappeared with his mother, Amy Pitzen.Investigators said she unexpectedly picked the kindergartener up from school on May 11, 2011.The two went to the zoo in Brookfield, Illinois, and spent the night at a resort in Gurnee, Illinois.On May 12, Timmothy and his mother drove to the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.Investigators believe they also traveled through Racine and Johnson Creek.They were reported missing by his father after several unanswered phone calls. Timmothy Pitzen was just six-years-old when he vanished without a trace, leaving investigators baffled. Eleven years later, leads in the case have been few and far between. Bill Rowley said, "Although we are disappointed that this turned out to be a hoax, we remain diligent in our search for Timmothy, as our missing person's case remains unsolved. Timmothys disappearance as a 6-year-old haunted Aurora for years before it took its latest twist earlier this year. A woman named Lindsey Casares has been investigating the case independently and believes the boy might be in a 10-acre wooded area in Whiteside County. Brian pointed out that he wanted to get away from his own family and wished he had a father like Jim. She reassured her mother that her brother and sister were safe and that they would return in a couple of days. But I've put those away now. He felt certain they would return, and waited until the next day, when they still hadnt returned home, to report them missing. But what went wrong, and why didnt Amy answer Jims calls when they were placed? A new documentary from NBC Chicago and NBC 5 Investigates follows the twists and turns of the case with exclusive interviews and details that upend previous At ten oclock in the morning, Amy dropped off her car at the repair shop where she had it serviced. 30 Mar, 2022 Fox News has identified the teacher in the viral video as Kristin Pitzen, who reportedly teaches in the Newport Mesa School Timmothy Pitzen Update Duration: 4m 15s Published: 30 Mar, 2022 Channel: FOX 2 St. Louis Timmothy Pitzen Update. When informed his son was not there, and Amy was ignoring his phone calls, he was concerned but not too alarmed: Amy had run off a couple times before, but this would be the first time she ran off with Timmothy. Timothy was the only child that Jim Pitzen and Amy Joan Marie Fry-Pitzen ever had. "We hope this new image created by NCMEC forensic artists will allow someone to recognize what Timmothy might look like today and help us find him. It was a normal spring break visit for my sister and I. Old Lady Adopts Lost Little Boy with Note in His Pocket, His Mother Returns after 13 Years Story of the Day, Old Lady Notices Sad Little Boy Sitting Every Day on the Same Spot in Local Park Story of the Day, Dad Notices Daughter Goes to Abandoned Trailer Park Every Night and Follows Her Story of the Day, Man Hears His Dog Barking from Afar, Finds It Sitting near an Abandoned Baby Story of the Day, Woman Returns Home from Work and Finds Out Son She Left with His Stepfather Has Disappeared Story of the Day, Little Girl Grabs Dirty Homeless Mans Hand and Takes Him to Her House Story of the Day, After His Little Brother's Death, Boy Starts Disappearing After School until Mom Follows Him Story if the Day, Man Gives Teen Boy a Family Heirloom with Lincolns Portrait That Helps Him Find Treasure Story of the Day, Poor Girl Sells Family Heirloom for Grandmas Operation, Sees It on Her Doorstep Days Later Story of the Day, Kate Gosselin 'Sent Away' & 'Caged' Son at an Institution Jon Claims He 'Did Not Know' Where for Years, Old Lady Doesnt Let Anyone into Her House, Neighbor Steps inside after Her Death Story of the Day, Man Sends Heartfelt Letter to Reconnect with High School Sweetheart, Learns He's a Dad, Lonely Mom of Three Comes to Feed Babies in the Morning and Sees They Had Already Been Fed Story of the Day, 20 Years after Newborn Daughters Death, Man Hears, Dad, I Finally Found You Story of the Day. They almost divorced in 2008 when Jim discovered Amy had been secretly texting one of her three ex-husbands, discussing plans to meet up while he was out of town. Police have not received any solid leads in years, though. "He identified himself to them as Timmothy Pitzen, and said that hehad been abducted when he was six years old, and had just broken free of his captors," Glassman said. She appeared to be alone. [8] It was also noted that Fry-Pitzen's cell phone was missing. This time, he said he was Timothy. WATCH: Timmothy Pitzen's grandma, aunt speak after learning that person found in Kentucky is not him. WebThe podcast I listened to said Amy Pitzen was off her meds and had a history of being abused by her father, iirc, so she could have been delusional thinking her husband, Investigators said Rini claimed to have been physically and sexually abused since being kidnapped in 2011 and had just broken free of his captors near Cincinnati when he was found in Newport. Its heartbreaking to know that we have now been searching for Timmothy for a decade, said his father, James Pitzen. According to the agency, Timmothys mother, Amy Pitzen, picked up the six-year-old unexpectedly from his Aurora, Illinois, school on May 11, 2011. Jen - Jim's younger sister - said she wasn't privy to the ins and outs of her brother and Amy's quarrels but said it's her understanding that the pair were involved in a "big fight" on the morning Timmothy disappeared. Security footage showed the boy actually happy and having fun. Timmothy pitzen would now be 17 years old. Updated: 10:35 AM CDT I would be lying to say that I wasnt incredibly angry at her choice to do what she did. Data from her I-pass would later reveal that she made two prior trips to Sterling in February and March, which she never mentioned to either Jim or any other family member. "When people ask me about Amy, I saw she was my sister-in-law; I would've left my kids with her, my kids loved her. However, that was the last time anyone saw her with her son. We learned that the man was not Timmothy but one of the most mysterious disappearance cases in IL history has On May 11th, 2011, Amy Fry-Pitzen picked up her son Timmothy Pitzen from kindergarten. Timmothy Pitzen's disappearance has been a mystery since 2011, when police found the boy's mother dead of an apparent suicide along with a note saying her Jim remained standing there as he watched his active son race toward his kindergarten teacher while swinging his Spider-Man backpack around.