www.justiceforchandra.com

[FindJeanViken]

February 7 — Missing woman's van found near Ashland County line, foul play suspected
On February 6, 2008 at around 9 p.m. the Taylor County Sheriff's Department received notification from the Sawyer County Sheriff's Department that they had located a 2004 Chevrolet van associated with the disappearance of 38 year old Jean A. Viken from Taylor County.
Sawyer County reported that the vehicle had been located in the Chequamegon National Forest near the Sawyer and Ashland County line. Investigation later revealed the van was actually in Ashland County.
Viken was reported as missing on January 30, 2008 from her Town of Holway home in Taylor County. Her whereabouts are still unknown and at this time foul play is suspected.
The Chevrolet van has been delivered to the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory in Wausau for forensic analysis. Taylor and Ashland County along with other law enforcement entities are working together in regard to this matter.
Authorities continue to request the assistance of the public in locating Viken. They request that anyone who believes they may have seen either her or her van during the last week contact the Taylor County Sheriff's Department at 715-748-2200 Ext. 1 or the confidential tipster line at 1-866-892-7463.

February 14 — Foul play suspected in Jean Viken disappearance

Jean Viken’s van has been found in a remote portion of Ashland County, but the 38-year-old mother of four is still missing and those searching are fearing the worst.
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Department is suspecting foul play as Jean Viken’s van was found at 9 p.m. on February 6 on Lake Road and Forest Road 163 near the border with Sawyer County. Viken has been missing since January 30 from her Town of Holway home in Taylor County.
According to a report in the Ashland Daily Press, the van was found on a logging road in a thickly wooded area of the Chequamegon National Forest in the Town of Chippewa in Ashland County. That location borders the Spring Brook semi-primitive non-motorized area and is one of the most remote areas in Ashland County.
“It’s a real wilderness area,” Ashland County Sheriff John Kovach is quoted as saying. A search of the area turned up no sign of Viken.
The Chevrolet van has been delivered to the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory in Wausau for forensic analysis. Taylor and Ashland County along with other law enforcement entities are working together in regard to this matter.
According to the newspaper report, Kovach said a trapper operating in the area discovered the Chevrolet van, became suspicious after seeing the vehicle parked there for several days, and reported it to Sawyer County authorities. However, it was determined that the van had actually been parked in Ashland County, and the Ashland County Sheriff’s Department was notified.
Kovach told the reporter he was notified at 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning, and deputies and the department’s investigator responded to the scene and initiated a preliminary search of the area, he said. However, Kovach said there was no sign of the woman anywhere near the van and no sign that she had walked into or had been taken into the woods. Kovach said the snow was about a foot deep in the woods and would have shown clear indications of travel if someone had left the road in the area.
“The snow was undisturbed, nothing to really indicate that a person had walked in or was dragged in there,” Kovach said. The U.S. Forest Service has been involved in the case.
Authorities continue to request the assistance of the public in locating Viken. They ask that anyone who believes they may have seen either her or her van after her reported disappearance to contact the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department at 715-748-2200 Ext. 1 or the confidential tipster line at 1-866-892-7463.

Posted: 6:08 PM Feb 19, 2008
Last Updated: 6:08 PM Feb 19, 2008

The Taylor County Sheriff's Department says the license plate on Jean Viken's van had been removed when it was found on February 6th.

Viken has been missing since January 29th and investigators say they suspect foul play. The van was found in the Chequamegan National Forest near the Sawyer County line.

It is foul play and we need help and tips to find Jean and bring her home to her family and her children.
_________________
Jean was a wonderful, happy, mirthful person who dearly loved her 4 children!!
Bring Jean Home!!!

[rd]

This is trouble. We see it over and over, it seems to be almost every day. We really have to protect women when they file for divorce or men will just keep making them disappear.

rd

click to read the online true crime mystery novel Murder on a Horse Trail: The Disappearance of Chandra Levy

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from http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/15409891.html
courtesy projectjason.org
http://www.projectjason.org/forums/index.php?topic=2274.0

(snip)

Court documents show Jean filed for divorce from her husband Duane in September. We spoke with Duane's sister, Lori Viken from Medford, Thursday who says the couple's four young children are with their dad.

Jean Viken’s sister-in-law Lori Viken says, "I don't know what to think. I'm kind of hoping she just took off somewhere just to get away. I don't think she has any enemies."

We could not reach Duane Viken for comment.

The sheriff's department is asking anyone who thinks they may have seen Viken or her van in the last week to call them. The phone number is 715-748-2200 investigators say you can also leave confidential information.

[jane]

Hi Find and rd. It's true - there should be protection for women filing for divorce - I suppose it would have to be on request, as it wouldn't be feasible to automatically provide it in every case.

A woman I know found out her husband was already married (this was after they had a baby together). She told her siblings and they said they would come to help her pack and move out while her 'husband' was at work. They also called the police and requested to have an officer on hand during her exit. The police refused the request, but the family asked, "Does it make a difference that he is a bigamist?" The police said, yes, that would make a difference, and agreed to send an officer.

My acquaintance was able to get away without incident and, as far as I know, was never bothered by the man. But she and her family were wise to take precautions. Not everyone has support like that, especially if an abusive mate has caused them to lose contact with family and friends, which is a common occurrence.
_________________
"They must find it difficult, those who have taken authority as truth, rather than truth as authority".
Gerald Massey

[rd]

There have been a few updates on Jean Viken, mostly that they are still searching for her.

The way the van was hidden is similar to Sue Ann Ray's disappearance in Georgia (see Sue Ann Ray Missing GA August 2005). Jean's van was hidden in the remotest point in the park with teh license tag removed, whereas Sue Ann's SUV was backed into a remote point in a Wal-Mart parking lot where the license plate couldn't be seen, but in both cases the missing woman's vehicle was abandoned in an difficult to find place as possible.

Clearly the placement of Sue Ann's vehicle was meant to mislead investigators into thinking she was abducted from the Wal-Mart parking lot, and it is likely placement of Jean's vehicle was intended to cause a search of a large very remote area for Jean's body, and attempt as usual to indicate suicide on the missing woman's part.

What is common here is that it is unlikely that the silent ex was able to abandon the missing woman's vehicle without help in returning. The highway between the Wal-Mart in Georgia and the silent ex's house, where Sue Ann was last seen, was not easily walkable.

By the same token, unlikely that the silent ex hiked out of this remote forest back home. Possible though that he carried a small motorcycle in the van and returned on it. Some thought should be given as to whether the silent ex had access to a small motorcycle that could be fit in the van.

Otherwise, Sue Ann's silent ex had his father assist in the murder and disappearance of Sue Ann, digging a shallow grave on a ridge in some woods to hide her body, and drive him back from Wal-Mart after abandoning her vehicle, carefully backing it up so it wouldn't be noticed or the license tag seen.

Did Jean's silent ex have similar assistance to at least return from abandoning her vehicle, if not helping to hide her body as well?

rd

[rd]

Jean's remains have been found in the woods. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

We'll post the reported details soon.

May Jean rest in peace.

rd

[rd]

Jean was shot and found by fishermen. I doubt that she was dragged near a body of water without being put in it and weighted down. I will check if any details on that are given out.

This affects so many of our other missing women cases. They often are weighted down in water to hide their bodies. Not usually after being shot though.

rd

from www.wyowtv34.com (fair use)

Human Remains Confirmed To Be Missing Woman
May 13, 2008

SAWYER CO. -- Authorities confirm human remains found in Sawyer County those of Jean A. Viken.

Saturday May 10, Taylor County Sheriff's Department was notified by Sawyer County Sheriff's Department that 2 fisherman came across human remains near Hawkins.

The clothing found at the scene were believed to match those worn by Viken when she went missing.

The remains were turned over to Taylor County...then sent to Madison for forensic analysis.

Forensic specialists confirm the remains are in fact those of Jean Viken.

Taylor County Sheriff's Department says evidence was collected at the scene...as well as during the autopsy.

Authorities say the probable cause of death was by gunshot wound.

Police are investigating the scene as a homicide.

The analysis is still being performed.

(snip)

Funds for Jean's family were set up shortly after she went missing. Donations are being accepted at:

People's Choice Credit Union
P.O. Box 567
Medford, WI 54454

Taylor Credit Union
P.O. Box 427
825 East Allman St.
Medford, WI 54451

click to read rest
http://www.wyowtv34.com/News/index.php?ID=25094

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