Late May – early June: Donna Jou comes across John Steven Burgess – a convicted child molester
who uses the name Sinjin Stevens – on the Web site Craiglist.org and they begin exchanging
messages. Eventually they agree to meet in person
June 23: At 5:30 p.m. Jou gets on the back of Burgess' 1981 Yamaha motorcycle outside her
Rancho Santa Margarita apartment. Jou's family leaves for dinner and watches the motorcycle exit
the 241 at Portola. Burgess' roommates later tell police Jou was at a party held at their house at
3617 Farris Drive in Los Angeles. During the party, Jou calls her friend Sean Oberle in San Diego.
The conversation is "casual" according to sheriff's investigators.
June 24:At 6:08 p.m., Nili Jou receives a text message from her daughter's cell phone that reads
"Battery's dying. I'm in San Diego. Be home soon. I love you Mommy.""
June 25: Jou's family report her missing to the Orange County Sheriff's Department after she
doesn't show up for work or school.
June 28: Burgess turns 35.
July 5: Orange County Sheriff's Department releases the pictures of two persons of interest in
Jou's disappearance. Burgess is one of them. Burgess is seen packing his truck full of cardboard
boxes. It is the last time Burgess' roommates see him.
July 6: Sheriff's officials narrow their search to Burgess. The license plates and descriptions of his
Ford Ranger pickup and motorcycle are publicized.
July 8: A man finds a plastic tool box stuffed under bougainvillea vines about a mile and a half
from Burgess' house. Inside the box are the vanity license plates "SINJIN 1" from Burgess' truck,
a black motorcycle helmet, rubber dishwashing gloves, rope and a scrub brush.
July 9: Orange County sheriff's investigators and members of LAPD's robbery/homicide division
return to Burgess' house and spend hours interviewing his roommates and searching the property.
Several knives are found in a backyard cabinet and are being tested for blood residue.
July 26:Burgess is arrested in Jacksonville, Fl, possession of crack cocaine, bail: $1,000,000.00
August 17: Burgess extradited to Los Angeles and booked in LA County Jail.
August 20: Burgess named suspect in disappearance of Donna Jou, his bail was set to $250,000
during bail hearing.
August 29: Burgess, suspected in disappearance of Donna Jou posts $250,000 bail.
September 20 : Burgess was arrested at a Jacksonville, FL for theft, fake Social Security Card,
fake drivers Lic, fake name: Logan Anderson.
September 28: Burgess was re-extradited to Los Angeles, CA and jailed again.
October 02: Burgess bail doubled ($500.000.00) during bail hearing.
October 10: John Burgess was sentenced by California Superior Court to three years in State
Prison on an unrelated (to Donna) felony charges.
November 13: John Steven Burgess was transferred to WASCO state prison 53191AL
December 29 - 30: Trinity Search & Recovery organized a search. 198 volunteers scattered
throughout the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu, CA looked for clues.
June 23, 2008: Candle light vigil was held at last known location Donna was seen in Los Angeles.
This marked the year anniversary of Donna's disappearance.
who uses the name Sinjin Stevens – on the Web site Craiglist.org and they begin exchanging
messages. Eventually they agree to meet in person
June 23: At 5:30 p.m. Jou gets on the back of Burgess' 1981 Yamaha motorcycle outside her
Rancho Santa Margarita apartment. Jou's family leaves for dinner and watches the motorcycle exit
the 241 at Portola. Burgess' roommates later tell police Jou was at a party held at their house at
3617 Farris Drive in Los Angeles. During the party, Jou calls her friend Sean Oberle in San Diego.
The conversation is "casual" according to sheriff's investigators.
June 24:At 6:08 p.m., Nili Jou receives a text message from her daughter's cell phone that reads
"Battery's dying. I'm in San Diego. Be home soon. I love you Mommy.""
June 25: Jou's family report her missing to the Orange County Sheriff's Department after she
doesn't show up for work or school.
June 28: Burgess turns 35.
July 5: Orange County Sheriff's Department releases the pictures of two persons of interest in
Jou's disappearance. Burgess is one of them. Burgess is seen packing his truck full of cardboard
boxes. It is the last time Burgess' roommates see him.
July 6: Sheriff's officials narrow their search to Burgess. The license plates and descriptions of his
Ford Ranger pickup and motorcycle are publicized.
July 8: A man finds a plastic tool box stuffed under bougainvillea vines about a mile and a half
from Burgess' house. Inside the box are the vanity license plates "SINJIN 1" from Burgess' truck,
a black motorcycle helmet, rubber dishwashing gloves, rope and a scrub brush.
July 9: Orange County sheriff's investigators and members of LAPD's robbery/homicide division
return to Burgess' house and spend hours interviewing his roommates and searching the property.
Several knives are found in a backyard cabinet and are being tested for blood residue.
July 26:Burgess is arrested in Jacksonville, Fl, possession of crack cocaine, bail: $1,000,000.00
August 17: Burgess extradited to Los Angeles and booked in LA County Jail.
August 20: Burgess named suspect in disappearance of Donna Jou, his bail was set to $250,000
during bail hearing.
August 29: Burgess, suspected in disappearance of Donna Jou posts $250,000 bail.
September 20 : Burgess was arrested at a Jacksonville, FL for theft, fake Social Security Card,
fake drivers Lic, fake name: Logan Anderson.
September 28: Burgess was re-extradited to Los Angeles, CA and jailed again.
October 02: Burgess bail doubled ($500.000.00) during bail hearing.
October 10: John Burgess was sentenced by California Superior Court to three years in State
Prison on an unrelated (to Donna) felony charges.
November 13: John Steven Burgess was transferred to WASCO state prison 53191AL
December 29 - 30: Trinity Search & Recovery organized a search. 198 volunteers scattered
throughout the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu, CA looked for clues.
June 23, 2008: Candle light vigil was held at last known location Donna was seen in Los Angeles.
This marked the year anniversary of Donna's disappearance.
Time line of Donna's disappearance
| HOME |
| TIME LINE |
