Menu
Local woman holds out hope for brother's safe return
The only gift local resident Esther Handrahan wanted for Christmas this year was to know that her brother, John Robert Handrahan, was safe at home.
John Robert, 81, a former Bourbon County resident, has reportedly been missing from his San Mateo, Calif., home since Dec. 3. According to Esther, John Robert's neighbors and friends contacted the San Mateo Police Department and reported the man as missing, stating the last time anyone had seen him was Dec. 2.
Several days after police began their investigation into his disappearance, John Robert's 1989 Volkswagen van was located in San Francisco, Calif.
According to an article in The San Mateo Daily Journal, police indicated the vehicle had been parked in the same place for several days. In the search for John Robert, police canvassed his neighborhood and distributed flyers, alerting the public to keep a watch out for the man. However, all attempts at locating John Robert have failed thus far.
According to Esther, in addition to locating his van, police were also able to find John Robert's billfold. Although the billfold was found in San Francisco, it was not found inside his van, but rather at another location.
"They (police) told me about the billfold and the van and said it didn't look good," Esther said.
Although John Robert resides in San Mateo, it is not uncommon for him to drive up to San Francisco, as he owns property there. In fact, John Robert owns property in San Mateo as well, Esther said. Renting out some of his properties is one way John Robert makes a living. In fact, John Robert's self-employment has held much success for him, Esther said.
"He has a lot of money and property," she said. "All of his assets have been frozen to keep people from accessing them."
The Herald-Tribune was unable to make contact with San Mateo law enforcement officers. However, Esther said she is worried for her brother's safety as law enforcement indicated to her foul play may have been involved.
"I would like to see him found," Esther said, "and would like to see them catch the guys responsible for all this."
When asked if John Robert has any enemies she is aware of, Esther said he has always been well-liked by his neighbors and his renters. In fact, one of John Robert's renters told Esther recently how much she respected the man. She added that when other landlords were raising the amount of rent they charged, John Robert refused to raise the amount he was charging those who were staying in his houses.
Esther said although her brother has been missing since the beginning of the month, she was not notified by San Mateo police until Monday, Dec. 22. Since then, Esther said she has been extremely worried about John Robert's well-being.
"He was missing for a long time before they let us know," Esther said.
Although John Robert only makes it back to the local area once every two or three years, Esther said she keeps in touch with him through phone calls. Esther added she had just spoken with her brother about two months ago, and at that time nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.
John Robert is 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds, is balding, and has hazel eyes and brown and gray hair. Anyone who has any information concerning his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the San Mateo Police Department at (650) 522-7700.