Missing man’s wife doubts return
The wife of a popular Bay Area radio host who was reported missing and considered at-risk by San Francisco police last week said Wednesday she suspects her husband “will not be coming back.”
Natasha Yi, who is also a host for Wild 94.9 (KYLD), said in a statement that “personal information” recently discovered in the investigation led her to believe that Jeffrey Vandergrift “will not be coming back.” She said Vandergrift remained missing but that San Francisco police have not suspected foul play in his disappearance.
“I tell you this with incredible pain and sadness in my heart,” Yi wrote in a statement posted on her Instagram account. “I have been in so much pain and fear and I know all of you have been so scared and concerned for JV as well.”
She said she was appreciative of the San Francisco Police Department’s efforts to locate Vandergrift and said authorities asked her to refrain from sharing additional details about the investigation.
Allison Maxie, a Police Department spokesperson, said, “At this time we do not have information that foul play is a factor in this missing person investigation.”
Vandergrift, 54, of San Francisco, was the host of Wild 94.9’s morning “The JV Show.”
He was last seen at his home on the 200 block of King Street about 10 p.m. on Feb. 23, police said.
He is 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, has brown eyes, is bald and was wearing black sweatpants at time of his disappearance.
On Feb. 27, officials from Wild. 94.9 tweeted an update about the investigation, saying there has not been any trackable activity on Vandergrift’s cell phone and credit card and bank statements.
“These updates are obviously incredibly worrisome, though we continue to hope and pray for better news,” they said.
Yi indicated in her statement that Vandergrift had been in physical pain over the last two years, though the cause was not immediately clear.
“The amount of compassion for the physical torture JV has been going through for the past 2 years has been overwhelming,” the statement said.
She thanked the fans, friends and the team at iHeartRadio, the network that carries Wild 94.9, for their support, and said she would continue to post updates.
“I can feel your love and energy for JV, and I am so grateful for it,” she said.