Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Overland Rider Possibly Missing in Mexico

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- - Overland Rider Possibly Missing in Mexico (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/central-america-and-mexico/overland-rider-possibly-missing-mexico-74492)

Overland Rider Possibly Missing in Mexico

I do not know this rider but have been following him on Facebook/Instagram and just saw his mother post this up. Thought sharing it here may give some exposure. (Also posted in HUBB PUB. Then realised this may be the correct section, apologies.)

Facebook Page of the rider - https://www.facebook.com/harrydevert

This is a message from Harry's mother, Ann, deverta@hotmail.com. I have just gained access to Harry's facebook account and am writing to ask if any of you, Harry's friends, has heard from Harry since the 25th of January. That day Harry was on his way from J M's Butterfly B & B adjacent to the Cerro Pelon Butterfly Reserve to Zihuatanejo where he planned to visit the beach where the reunion scene at the end of the Shawshank Redemption takes place. The area Harry needed to travel through was dangerous but had been traveled without incident by other guests at the B & B. I gather security had been ramped up since. The text he sent his friend Sarah at 3:18 that afternoon said, "Just got an hour and a half long escort out of some area it was too dangerous for me to be. Stopping for lunch and ... voila Internet. ... Gonna get back on the road soon. Apparently there's another miliitary escort waiting for me in some other town... I'm running way late because of the crazy military stuff...hopefully get a chance to talk to you tonight when I (hopefully) finally arrive."

That was Harry's last communication with anyone that we are aware of. There has been no activity on any of Harry's social media sites or in his bank account since the 22nd. His phone is "no longer in service."

The French and American Embassies are working with the Mexican authorities to try to locate Harry. They have an approximate location for the place from which Harry sent the text to Sarah though they have no means to locate his cell phone. If any of you have any idea about how to go about that, please let me know. I gather the search has begun, radiating from there. The authorities of all three governments have all the information I have been able to think of to give them: a physical description, the make and license number of his motorcycle, his cell phone number, what was written on his motorcycle jacket, what his tattoos are.

Ellen and Joel of J M's Butterfly B & B have made multiple visits to Zitacuaro, the largest town closest to Harry's point of departure, to file an exact missing person's report with accompanying photos. They have gone way "above and beyond" to help. Harry's excellent friend Omar has been in communication with concerned friends of Harry's and arranged a meeting this morning with the Secretary of the Michoacan State Government in Morelia, the state capital, who pledged to help find Harry. All those in Mexico who have been helping with this are not just competent but are committed and kind. Close friends of Harry's here have also made insightful suggestions and have helped assemble appropriate photos to help in the search.

Now that I have access to Harry's facebook page I petition you all, if you have heard from Harry or have any suggestions that may help us to find him to let me know.

Thank you. Thank you all.

Someone cross posted this on ADVrider as well. Hope it ends well.

Any update on this guy?

If you have a Facebook account, you can read the latest update from Harry's mum. It appears that Harry may have been the victim of an opportunistic kidnapping.

Not sure what the rules are concerning quoting other sites like Facebook but, for those without access, here is the latest post dated 22nd February 2014:

Quote:

I ask you all to keep Harry in your thoughts and prayers and to picture a positive outcome as the resolution of what appears to have been an opportunistic kidnapping gets closer and closer. The following article, printed in the newspaper Excelsior the 21st of February, may provide a significant lead in our search. Harry may or may not be at the ranch mentioned in the article but the fact his motorcyle, distinguishable by its black box saddlebags, has been seen makes the likelihood of finding him in that area more likely. His rescue will require diplomacy and, I believe, a coordinated effort. Those believed to be holding him say they never harm others unless provoked.
- Posted by Harry's mother Ann

Morelia, 21 of February
According to the investigation conducted by Michoacan authorities concerning the disappearance of HARRY DEVERT the American motorcyclist, he did not disappear in Michoacan but in Guerrero.

Excelsior gained access to confidential reports of the two state prosecutors which affirms that the last place the "world traveler" was seen was in Playa Troncones, between Ixtapa, Guerrero and Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacan.

According to the testimony of a subject arrested by police in Zihuatanejo, Harry was detained by members of organized crime at the behest of a subject nicknamed The Hawk and his deputy known as The Tiger, who illegally held him against his will.

According to research by specialized staff of prosecutors of the two states, those who captured Harry Devert belong to a criminal group known as The Warriors which until a few months ago belonged to the Knights Templar and now serve the interests of Jalisco's New Generation cartel.

Investigations were ongoing when earlier this week Bryan Jimenez Mandujano was detained in Zihuatanejo for carrrying a gun prohibited for civilian use and, when questioned by the Public Ministry, confessed to being part of an organized crime cell.

According to government sources, Bryan Jimenez confessed that his boss, a subject identified as Adrian Reyes Cadena, The Tiger, seized the young native New Yorker, believing him to be a member of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA of the United States.)

Until yesterday the whereabouts of the US motorcyclist had not been established because Jimenez Mandujano has not provided many details: the detainee claims not to know the fate of the victim of his criminal
organization but research suggests that he was taken to a ranch called La Palma near Petatlan where his royal eminence , El Tigre, and his criminal group are based.

A rumor unconfirmed by ministerial authorities says Adrian Reyes has been seen aboard the motorcycle owned by the disappeared young man.

Harry Devert of Franco-American origin, left New York at the beginning of January (actually it was December) with just a tent on his motorcycle, heading to Brazil with the intention of attending the World Cup.

The last time he was seen was the 25th of January in the state of Mexico where he had stayed at the home of a friend.
Note: The last place he was seen was at the Diamond Pemex Station in Huetamo, shortly before he stopped for lunch and texted Sarah.)
“Estadunidense desapareció en Guerrero” | Excélsior

In these type of kidnappings, the FBI recommends complete silence and no media coverage until the crisis is resolved. Frustrated families of course, want the world to know what happened believing this will facilitate a quicker resolution. It won't.

Professional kidnappers are tech savvy enough to monitor the Internet for how much noise is being generated in the media as well as chat-rooms. The more noise, the higher the victim's profile--which leads kidnappers to believe they have a valuable hostage worthy of holding out for a larger ransom.

Or, if there is too much noise, the victim becomes a "hot potato" making the kidnappers afraid that they have bit off more than they can chew--and worry about too much heat.

I realize that we all want to voice our concern over this situation where one of our own might be in trouble, but the less chatter, the better.
If you are compelled to comment, voice your support through direct communication with the family. Or email directly with local riders in Mexico.

So his unrecognizable remains have been found in two black plastic bin bags along side his semi-burnt motorbike

This is truly shocking

remains found presumably of Harry Devert; missing in michoacan mexico
remains found presumably of Harry Devert; missing in michoacan mexico - ADVrider

Remains Found Presumably of American Harry Devert Missing in Michoacán
http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2014/0...l#comment-form

CNN News
Harry Devert's family to Obama: Help us find him while in Mexico - CNN.com

and his blog
http://www.anewyorkertravels.com/recent/

Very sad news and as Wesley says very shocking to hear and read about this. After reading his blog it shows his dedication and love of travel and life.

My thoughts are with his family and all that knew him .. RIP

It's a very sad story. I lived in Oaxaca for three years and felt very safe while there, so I find this shocking and depressing to read about.

I wonder what happened. My guess is that he made a wrong turn on a road somewheres, and saw something that the narco traffickers didn't want to have any witnesses to. I guess we'll never know.

Details emerge, suspect arrested, questions remain

The story of Harry Devert is told in these articles and his own blog. A suspect has been arrested. Was Devert careless in choosing his route? Was he too trusting? Did he just run into the wrong person at the wrong time while on the road to adventure? It’s impossible to say. Draw your own conclusion and divine your own advice. Clearly he lived an exciting and adventurous life. Our community lost a unique and inspiring traveler. Rest in peace.

The incredible life and haunting death of world traveler Harry Devert - The Washington Post

Harry Devert Took a Wrong Turn in Mexico, and He Was Never Seen Again | Playboy

http://www.anewyorkertravels.com/

Very sad, and a reminder that some parts of the world can be more risky than others. I've spent time in the Middle East, and on the whole found the people to be kind and welcoming. But there were a few times when instint told me to move on, if it doesn't feel right it's probably not, trust your senses. I hope he didn't suffer too much, but from his blog it seems fair to say he was aware of the risks.