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| Hope: intransitive verb 1: to cherish a desire with anticipation. transitive verb 1: to expect with confidence. We Have Hope To Bring Donna Home. |
| Donna was last seen by witnesses with John Steven Burgess at his residence 3617 Faris Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90034 around midnight of June 23-24, 2007. |
| To print Donna's flyer click ON THE IMAGE to enlarge and print |
| To print Donna's flyer click ON THE IMAGE to enlarge and print |
It has been three very long years since I have physically seen your beautiful face, heard your soft
voice, and felt your warm embrace.
I miss you so much and crave your presence. There have been so many times over the years that I
have needed your embrace. I have needed your ears. I have needed your voice. I have needed my best
friend. That I have needed my baby girl in every sense that you are.
There are so many things that I still had to say to you. So many dreams I had for you to fulfilled, so
many things that I wanted to make right with you. I still had many unanswered questions to ask you
about us, life, and people, and you were ripped away senselessly, torn apart violently from me before I
could make any of these things happen.
Today is June 23rd, the day you went missing; it is a time of intense sadness and overwhelming
emptiness for me. It is like a violent surgery from within, without anesthetic.
My emotions continue to fluctuate indefinitely, akin to a turbulent roller coaster ride, sometimes so
lonely even with others around me... The mystery of your loss remains uncertain, unknown, and
lacks clarity.
Feelings of loneliness, helplessness, despair and abandonment are my daily routine; a treasure within
my heart has vanished never to be seen again.
As a surviving parent, I became your voice since you are no longer able to speak for yourself. I
consider my involvement as parent as an extended act of parenting. Looking out for your interest the
same as I would if you were still living with me and depended upon me for protection.
I do strongly believe that Burgess' mind-numbing confession was bogus, therefore I have been
fighting relentlessly, non-stop for the truth, to prove Burgess’ deceptive statement, and take him
back to court for the real justice. Criminal justice system is more concerned about the rights of the
accused, even after he is proven guilty and convicted.
I will fight for you till I take my last breath, this is a promise, this is my duty.
I love you with my whole heart; I don’t know how to live without you, my lovely baby.
Your Dad, Reza
Donna posted an ad on Craig list (Internet) as a Math Tutor in hope to help other students. During this process she was contacted by John Steven Burgess and a trust began. For this was Donna's passion, to trust and help others. Her dream is to be a Doctor (Neurosurgeon). Donna's big hart and generosity expanded by her community services of many hours dedicated to baby sitting at the Battered Women's Shelters. Her intimate kindness shows her forever love for her family. From the small personal notes left for her Father and the phone calls to say goodnight every evening to the laughs and smiles given to her Mother each day. |
| On March 17, 2009 Superior Court of the State of California for the county of Los Angeles charged John Steven Burgess (a three times convicted sex offender) for the disappearance of Donna Jou. |
$15,000 Reward for any information in finding Donna Jou. If you have any information regarding Donna please contact your local police department or call Los Angeles Police Department at 213-486-6900 You may leave a comment/tip on this site anonymously. |
| Supporters of Donna Jou Gathered outside of City Hall in California Friday, July 13, 2007 |
| John Steven Burgess (Convicted Sex Offender) appearance in LA courtroom August 20, 2007 on charges of failure to register as a Sex Offender. |
Banner made for the justice for Donna's March
"Justice for Donna March" outside the courthouse Sept. 5, 2007
| Burgess was supposed to be in court for failing to register as a sex offender, but his pretrial hearing was postponed until Oct. 10. Outside the court, Sept. 5, 2007 a crowd, which included Donna's parents, attorney Gloria Allred and friends chanted, "Where is Donna Jou?" Jou's parents made heartfelt pleas to Burgess for answers. |
| San Diego State University Students Show their support for the family of Donna Jou In Candle light Vigil held at SDSU campus Sept, 12, 2007 |
John Steven Burgess
| Sept. 5, 2007 - outside of LA court, Attorney Gloria Allred, is speaking with the media |
We still asking for John Steven Burgess to help us bring Donna home. Burgess is choosing not to talk about his knowledge of Donna's whereabouts. We have started a Petition to ask John Steven Burgess "Where Is Donna"? Please Sign the Petition and Leave a comment for John Burgess to read as a request to help us find Donna. We appreciate everyone's compassion and support to bring Donna back home. Click here to sign a petition/ send a message to John Burgess. |
John Steven Burgess's recent jail info: Los Angeles County Central Jail Jail Number: 2708018 |
| Donna is a Beautiful and Loved Daughter, Sister, Grand Daughter, Niece, Cousin, Friend, and Honor SanDiego State University Student. |
| In Memory of Donna Jou April 23rd, 2010 Donna Jou was a 19-year-old, Honor student at San Diego State University when she disappeared in June 2007 after placing an ad in an online classifieds website looking to earn a few extra dollars tutoring high school kids in math. When I first learned about the very tragic story of Donna Jou and felt the incredibly palpable anguish of her Dad, Mr. Reza Jou, in a birthday greeting that he posted on the website dedicated to her at www.DonnaJou.com, I became even more determined to build a gated classifieds website that only allows users whose identity has been verified. Unlike shopping and auction sites (e.g., Amazon and eBay) where users conduct business mostly by mail, users of online classifieds sites, on the other hand, generally transact business in person. By allowing users to post ads anonymously, these websites create a perfect breeding ground for criminals, who, thriving on anonymity, can hide behind their web browsers and prey on an unsuspecting and trusting public with all kinds of nefarious activities, ranging from fraud to even more dangerous crimes, including rape, robbery, and murder. In 2009, police arrested John Steven Burgess, a 3 time convicted sexual predator, who confessed to luring Donna to her death after reading her classified ad online. As a father of 2 young girls, I made it my mission in life to build a safer classifieds website so that my two daughters will never have to fear for their lives when using an online marketplace. Please join me in building a web community where members may participate in all types of activities—trade, commerce or social—free from fear and suspicion. If the SafeList Marketplace can help save just one life, or help prevent just one woman from being raped or prevent just one child from falling into the dangerous world of child prostitution, then we will have made a significant contribution to society. However, with your help, I am convinced that SafeList.com will play a significantly bigger role in cleaning up the web of criminals and make it safer for everyone. We must not allow Donna’s untimely and tragic death be in vain but instead act as a catalyst for us all in creating a better and safer Internet! Karim Pirani Founder SafeList.com |
October 14, 2010
Dear Donna,
Happy Birthday!
I miss you and wish you were with us. We have been deprived of your smile, your laughter,
your thoughtfulness, and your kindness for too long. Please forgive me for not always being a
good brother to you. All I have left is the good times we have had together. Remember all the
games we played? Hide and seek in the house? Tea parties with our stuffed animals?
Nintendo? Basketball? And playing with Gortie? Those were the good old days and I cherish
those memories. You will always be in my heart and I know that God is protecting you
wherever you are. Love you always.
-Your Big Brother, Daniel
Dear Donna,
Happy Birthday!
I miss you and wish you were with us. We have been deprived of your smile, your laughter,
your thoughtfulness, and your kindness for too long. Please forgive me for not always being a
good brother to you. All I have left is the good times we have had together. Remember all the
games we played? Hide and seek in the house? Tea parties with our stuffed animals?
Nintendo? Basketball? And playing with Gortie? Those were the good old days and I cherish
those memories. You will always be in my heart and I know that God is protecting you
wherever you are. Love you always.
-Your Big Brother, Daniel
Today, October 14, 2010 is your 23rd birthday. Our souls ache that we are unable to share your
special day with you. The pain we have felt ever since your mysterious disappearance has not abated at
all and affect us as profoundly today as it did when we were first notified of your tragic disappearance.
I think of you constantly, every day. We who love you carry the trauma and pain of your
disappearance and we will carry this until you are found or until the day we die. The memories we
have of you we relive over and over again and, while we cherish such warm and wonderful memories,
the grief these memories evoke is so painful, yet we know we must persevere and continue to do
whatever is humanely possible to bring you back home to your family.
I have tried to stay strong for you Donna and for the rest of the family. It has taken a toll on us all and
I have had to seek out some help to help me through the immense grief and suffering I have
experienced every day since you have been gone. But even with that terrible grief and depression I feel
every day, the physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that overwhelms me at times, I will never
stop searching for you. I have and will continue to devote the rest of my life to seeing that justice is
done, not only for you Donna, but for all the other children who have undergone similar fates and
whose families have suffered as we have.
The loss of you, my dear, sweet daughter, has changed my life forever. I want you to know that no
day goes by without my searching or pursuing justice for you in one way or another. There are no
days off for me anymore, no holidays, no vacations,-nothing truly exists in my life other than my
search for you Donna and, until we find you, I suspect nothing ever will.
We know you were the victim of a vicious, sophisticated human predator whose sick mind conjured up
the most sinister plan imaginable. There are many unanswered questions and I am doing my best to get
the answers necessary to determine what really happened to you during that terrible night. With the
help of the divine and the assistance of some good and caring human beings who have the desire to get
to the real truth of your disappearance, I still believe in my heart we can bring you back home.
We have suffered a long, grueling and gruesome 1,208 days still without having any credible answers
to your disappearance. We know the answers are out there somewhere. Please be certain of this my
dear, your family and friends are still spreading the word and working hard to elicit responses from
people who know more to come forward and reveal the truth that will, one way or another, set us free
from this terrible state of not knowing what really happened.
I have and will continue to do whatever is necessary to maintain my strength and courage throughout
this ordeal. While I have many days when my world seems to be spinning out of control, I counter
that with a sense of hope that you will still one day return to us. Even against all odds and even when
things seem not to be going our way, I keep in my memory and I know in my soul that miracles really
do happen and that justice will ultimately prevail.
I will never stop believing in miracles Donna.
Happy Birthday my dearest
I love you with my whole heart, my baby
You dad, Reza
TO CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT |
If you have any information regarding Donna's case Please Contact Law Enforcement directly through their e-mail Your Identity will remain anonymous. |
Detective Eguchi 26555@lapd.lacity.org |
The Los Angeles Port Police, Captain Mike Graychik and his team members for providing exemplary support to our private search team. We are grateful for their sincerity, dedication, and desire demonstrated to find my beloved daughter, Donna. Special thanks to friends and supporters involved in our continuous search for Donna. Your prayers, thoughts, and advice we will forever hold dear to our hearts. |
| My lovely Donna, The pain of suddenly losing you without explanation is horrible heartache beyond comprehension for me. You were silenced in the prime of your life by a known criminal, but there can be no silencing of family and friends who will continue to search for you until you are found. Live without you is meaningless for me. Love you, my baby M. Your dad, |
The Innocence of a Child
Second Anniversary of my missing Donna
Statement to the press (23 June 2009)
Today is one of the saddest days of my life; it is the 2nd anniversary of my missing child, Donna.
Treasure within my heart has vanished, never to be seen again, feelings of loneliness, helplessness, despair and abandonment are the routine
of my life since Donna’s disappearance.
There are huge life altering problems that I have to deal with day after day for the rest of my life and unless someone experiences it how could
they possibly understand? There is mixed emotions everyday; I am on roller coaster of emotions all the time, day and night.
John Steven Burgess, a convicted child molester, took my child away from us 2 years ago. Despite his confession, the facts of the case in no
way FULLY support the statements given by a con man, Mr. Burgess, as to what happened between my daughter and him after the mid night
of June 23, 2007.
The fact of the matter is that Mr. Burgess’ confession served ONLY one person in this case ---- and that is Mr. Burgess himself. His
confession has gained him the least severe sanction he could possibly have received, a charge that will keep him in prison for a minimal time
(5 years, which will be 2.5 years with good behavior) only and that will, once again, provide him license to commit whatever heinous crimes he
will choose to perpetrate upon innocent victims in the future.
Burgess is a human predator; he will be looking for his next victim the day he walks out of prison!
In fact, no witness has testified seeing my daughter dead or alive after midnight on June 23, 2007, no DNA has been detected, Burgess had
failed the polygraph test, and a body has yet to be discovered.
I have been trapped in limbo since June 23, 2007 -- not certain whether to mourn the missing of my precious Donna or continue hoping that
she is alive.
The system is using Burgess ‘s statement as a fact and, as such, Burgess, for all practical purposes, has been enabled by the LAW OF THE
STATE of California to "pick" the severity of the sanctions allowed,
Burgess must tell us the truth; he must tell us what torture he had inflicted on my lovely baby.
My grief, rage, and searching continues. If it takes my entire life to find the truth of my daughter's disappearance, so be it. I will continue to
search for my child until she is found, until my last breath.
Thank you.
Reza Jou (missing Donna Jou’s dad)
Statement to the press (23 June 2009)
Today is one of the saddest days of my life; it is the 2nd anniversary of my missing child, Donna.
Treasure within my heart has vanished, never to be seen again, feelings of loneliness, helplessness, despair and abandonment are the routine
of my life since Donna’s disappearance.
There are huge life altering problems that I have to deal with day after day for the rest of my life and unless someone experiences it how could
they possibly understand? There is mixed emotions everyday; I am on roller coaster of emotions all the time, day and night.
John Steven Burgess, a convicted child molester, took my child away from us 2 years ago. Despite his confession, the facts of the case in no
way FULLY support the statements given by a con man, Mr. Burgess, as to what happened between my daughter and him after the mid night
of June 23, 2007.
The fact of the matter is that Mr. Burgess’ confession served ONLY one person in this case ---- and that is Mr. Burgess himself. His
confession has gained him the least severe sanction he could possibly have received, a charge that will keep him in prison for a minimal time
(5 years, which will be 2.5 years with good behavior) only and that will, once again, provide him license to commit whatever heinous crimes he
will choose to perpetrate upon innocent victims in the future.
Burgess is a human predator; he will be looking for his next victim the day he walks out of prison!
In fact, no witness has testified seeing my daughter dead or alive after midnight on June 23, 2007, no DNA has been detected, Burgess had
failed the polygraph test, and a body has yet to be discovered.
I have been trapped in limbo since June 23, 2007 -- not certain whether to mourn the missing of my precious Donna or continue hoping that
she is alive.
The system is using Burgess ‘s statement as a fact and, as such, Burgess, for all practical purposes, has been enabled by the LAW OF THE
STATE of California to "pick" the severity of the sanctions allowed,
Burgess must tell us the truth; he must tell us what torture he had inflicted on my lovely baby.
My grief, rage, and searching continues. If it takes my entire life to find the truth of my daughter's disappearance, so be it. I will continue to
search for my child until she is found, until my last breath.
Thank you.
Reza Jou (missing Donna Jou’s dad)
| The Joy a Father and Mother have when they see the face of their newly awaited born child is a true blessing from God. As the anticipation arrives again to see the face of their Beautiful Donna we will continue with Hope and Prayers. God knows the Desires of our Hearts. |
Donna graduated from Clear Lake High School, May 2006, GPA 4.4, SAT scores of
1,570.
She was tutoring mathematics during her last two years of high school, donated over 100
hours of her time to help her fellow students.
Donna worked full time as a volunteer in St. John Hospital's Pathology Laboratories
under direction of Dr. Moore, summer 2005. She also has supported the Interfaith
Ministries as a volunteer, this includes, collecting nonperishable foods from grocery
stores and delivery to food pantries for less fortunate, 2004-2005.
During her senior year at Clear Lake High School, she took a course named
"Independent Study Mentor ship (ISM)" Under direction of her mentor NASA senior
scientist/Dr. Deborah Harm, she studied Neurophysiology, Vestibular System,
Spaceflight negative effects on astronauts' balance upon their return to Earth. This was
at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Johnson Space Center
(JSC), Houston, Texas.
Donna was admitted to the NASA's Summer High School Apprenticeship Research
Program or SHARP for Summer 2006. As well as baby sitting for the Battered Women
Shelters, she has volunteered as a cashier in the Bay Area Turning Point Resale Shop
in Nassau Bay, Texas in support of women shelters. Donna has many more
accomplishments preparing herself for future. Her family is proud and looks forward to
continue supporting her on this journey of accomplishments.
1,570.
She was tutoring mathematics during her last two years of high school, donated over 100
hours of her time to help her fellow students.
Donna worked full time as a volunteer in St. John Hospital's Pathology Laboratories
under direction of Dr. Moore, summer 2005. She also has supported the Interfaith
Ministries as a volunteer, this includes, collecting nonperishable foods from grocery
stores and delivery to food pantries for less fortunate, 2004-2005.
During her senior year at Clear Lake High School, she took a course named
"Independent Study Mentor ship (ISM)" Under direction of her mentor NASA senior
scientist/Dr. Deborah Harm, she studied Neurophysiology, Vestibular System,
Spaceflight negative effects on astronauts' balance upon their return to Earth. This was
at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Johnson Space Center
(JSC), Houston, Texas.
Donna was admitted to the NASA's Summer High School Apprenticeship Research
Program or SHARP for Summer 2006. As well as baby sitting for the Battered Women
Shelters, she has volunteered as a cashier in the Bay Area Turning Point Resale Shop
in Nassau Bay, Texas in support of women shelters. Donna has many more
accomplishments preparing herself for future. Her family is proud and looks forward to
continue supporting her on this journey of accomplishments.
| On May 06, 2009: Burgess pleated guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter and Concealment of Accidental Death and dumping Donna into the Pacific Ocean (due to lack of evidence to prove or disprove his statement, the court accepted his fabricated story). |
| A song that was recorded about Donna By singer/Jannel Rap |
| On March 17, 2009 Superior Court of the State of California for the county of Los Angeles charged John Steven Burgess (a three times convicted sex offender) for the disappearance of Donna Jou. |
Legislative proposal United States Congressman, The Honorable Pete Olson's letter to the Chairman, National Association of Attorneys General regarding Donna Jou's case and legislative proposal . Dated February 12, 2010. |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
A quote form Capital Weekly - 88,000 sex offenders live in State of California. "Only about 1,700 of the 88,000 sex offenders currently being tracked by the state hit the SVP level". For the full report you may click on capital weekly logo |
:
| Letter to Steve Cooley, DA of Los Angeles, 4th anniversary of the mysterious disappearance of my daughter, Donna Jou |
Remembrance
My remarkable Donna,
This year marks the 4th anniversary of your ambiguous disappearance -- a
tragedy that caused us an irreversible damage.
June 23, 2007 was the beginning of a nightmare I never woke up from. I was
thrown suddenly into a dizzying world of unbelief parents, then have to learn
how to survive such an unthinkable crises, not knowing what to do and where
to look next. I have been through sobbing cries, aching heart, denial, hope,
anger, and mourning, a myriad of strange feelings and emotions never felt
before and praying for answers every day, every waking moment.
Donna, I think steadily about you during the most sorrowful and terrifying
journey of my life. A part of my very own being has been chopped off violently
by this horrific loss. You will always be inseparable part of me, I never be the
same again.
Donna, we have plead to the local, state, and federal authorities in charge to
ensure justice for you, to RE-OPEN your case and assign a NEW investigative
team to start their efforts in full force to find my fallen daughter and to bring
you back to us.
We have asked DA of Los Angeles/Mr. Cooley and his capable team to use
their finely honed skills to find you instead of relying on BURGESS’ (a
CAREER Criminal’s) fabricated story.
I love you so deeply and genuinely my lovely Donna, will never fall out of love
with you, I miss you badly my baby, I need you.
Your Dad,
Reza
My remarkable Donna,
This year marks the 4th anniversary of your ambiguous disappearance -- a
tragedy that caused us an irreversible damage.
June 23, 2007 was the beginning of a nightmare I never woke up from. I was
thrown suddenly into a dizzying world of unbelief parents, then have to learn
how to survive such an unthinkable crises, not knowing what to do and where
to look next. I have been through sobbing cries, aching heart, denial, hope,
anger, and mourning, a myriad of strange feelings and emotions never felt
before and praying for answers every day, every waking moment.
Donna, I think steadily about you during the most sorrowful and terrifying
journey of my life. A part of my very own being has been chopped off violently
by this horrific loss. You will always be inseparable part of me, I never be the
same again.
Donna, we have plead to the local, state, and federal authorities in charge to
ensure justice for you, to RE-OPEN your case and assign a NEW investigative
team to start their efforts in full force to find my fallen daughter and to bring
you back to us.
We have asked DA of Los Angeles/Mr. Cooley and his capable team to use
their finely honed skills to find you instead of relying on BURGESS’ (a
CAREER Criminal’s) fabricated story.
I love you so deeply and genuinely my lovely Donna, will never fall out of love
with you, I miss you badly my baby, I need you.
Your Dad,
Reza
| After serving just half of a 5-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter, convicted sex offender John Burgess walked away from jail on Dec 7, 2011 from the Men's Central Jail around 3:45 p.m. For media coverage see the media page |