Update: The discussion on this post has been closed and moved to a new thread. Click here to visit the new discussion thread.
Airforce Major Jill Metzger, stationed at Manas Air Base, was shopping in a Kyrgyzstan mall with friends when she disappeared.
From CNN:
(CNN) — A U.S. Air Force officer is missing after a trip to a shopping mall in Kyrgyzstan, a U.S. military statement said Wednesday.
Maj. Jill Metzger, with the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, was last seen shopping at the Zum Shopping Center with others from the Manas Air Base when she disappeared on Tuesday, the statement said.
“Major Metzger was last seen wearing a green sweater and blue jeans,” the statement said.
“She has blonde hair and blue eyes. She is in excellent athletic condition.”
Military Web sites describe Metzger as a top-flight marathoner.
Both the Kyrgyz police and the US military are searching for her:
BISHKEK, September 6, 2006 (RFE/RL) — Kyrgyzstan’s Interior Ministry and National Security Service say they have launched a joint operation to locate the U.S. air servicewoman who disappeared on September 5 in Bishkek.
The woman, who has been identified as Major Jill Metzger, is working at the U.S. Manas military air base, near Bishkek.
Manas air base public affairs officer Ann Carpenter told RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service that Metzger disappeared while shopping at Bishkek’s main department store (TsUM) with other U.S. base members.
“The [U.S.] 376th Air Expeditionary Wing base officials are working with the U.S. Embassy and local officials to locate the servicemember as soon as possible,” Carpenter added.
The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek has issued pictures of a blonde woman as part of the search operation.
Let’s hope she’s found quickly.
Update: Maj. Metzger was supposed to return home on Thursday and went to the mall to buy souvenirs for her family.
Update II: We’re thrilled that everyone here is having a great time commenting, but since we’re approaching 1400 comments, we would love it if everyone could continue the thread here.
Update: The discussion on this post has been closed and moved to a new thread. Click here to visit the new discussion thread.
Well, here we go! The enemy has been emboldened by the Israeli/U.N./Hezboulah prisoner swap deal. If she has been kidnapped, I fear it will be the first of many attempts.
Here is one of the biggest problems!
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0391D81E-C704-4E7B-9058-4D561F30DDF6.htm
She’s an accomplished marathoner.
Just a footnote this country has a tradition called “Bride kidnapping” which means native men kidnap there brides, I am sure this may have happened to her.
I saw this show on Frontline some months back about it!
These guys go in cars hang out near markets and kidnap an unsuspecting women.
They then take them home where other women, who were kidnapped brainwash them
into submitting to the new husband!
Thousands of young Kyrgyz women are married through “ala kachuu,” which translates roughly as “grab and run” .
http://hiphoprepublican.com/
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=51852&SelectRegion=Asia
Life on base at Manas is pretty grim, though at least there are some amenities there (last time I went through there was even legit therapeutic massage there). Kyr-Stan is real third-world. The commercial airport is a shell without even decent bathrooms. It seems highly unlikely she decided to stay in country of her own accord.
There are both common criminals as described above as well as a small cadre of Muslim terrorists in the area. I have no idea which would be worse for her.
Here’s a sad example of why you are told to always have a partner and never go ANYWHERE alone.
I pray for her and her family.
Something isn’t right here, though. Would an abduction take place at a shopping mall where there might be many witnesses? And wouldn’t there be some witness statements, then, if it had? Yet – nothing.
The problem is that she went off alone, against typical procedure as epador notes above, and disappears without a trace a few days before she is scheduled to go home.
That’s three unusual events happening at the same time. It could be “coincidence,” but the reason coincidences are remarkable is that they are actually very rare. Whether we see it or not, there is usually another explanation for one or more of the events occurring when they did.
I’m not suggesting she necessarily disappeared voluntarily, but it is a possibility given the facts as known. It is also possible some colleague is involved, whether or not they met voluntarily at the mall. Or some would-be suitor from the base who knows she is leaving him unrequited . . . This would be rather more likely than a random abduction at a public shopping center with no witnesses.
Google her and you see she is an accomplished marathon runner. So she is reasonably healthy and tough. She comes from an Air Force family, so she is reasonably stable and sane.
Two things: She was abducted or she fled.
If she fled, why? Was she committed to staying in Kyrgyzstan? Was she being harassed at the air base?
If she was abducted, why? Local criminal gangs? There are plenty of young Russian women around in Bishkek, so if in fact she was kidnapped, it means she was targetted.
If she was targetted, why? As an American military woman she is valuable to somebody with an agenda. Those people are either stupid or powerful. Stupid because such a highly-recognizable target is sure to prompt a massive search-and-rescue operation. Powerful because only a well-organized group would be able to nab her and keep things quiet.
There’s a film called ‘Spartan’ a few years back, with Val Kilmer, about a sex-slave ring that accidentally kidnaps the president’s daughter. A movie, so it’s fiction, but an interesting idea for comparison.
Maybe Metzger was nabbed accidentally by a white-slavery ring in the country who normally take Russian girls. As an American, Metzger was maybe too naively friendly with somebody she met at the Kyrgyz shopping mall, sat down to tea with them, got slipped a mickey, passed out and was slipped away quietly.
We will soon find out, because this is going to get much, much bigger.
I will agree with something does not sound correct, but I know her and she would not do anything stupid like disobey rules and regulations. If they have video of her leaving the shop in 10 minutes why did her collegues leave her at the Mall instead of leaving before they returned to the base, and they never said anything about the camera except they saw her coming out of the department store, also if her phone was used to make 2 local phone calls what were the numbers and why they have not tracked down the person that was called????? As far as the wife thing, even in the move the Spartan they are normally going after younger girls and teenagers, never anyone in their thirties, I’m just praying that she is found soon.
I personally think the while thing is extremely fishy; I am willing to bet that there was no kidnapping and when the final details are announced it will be a totally different story.
DR
Major Jill Metzger and I attended college together at East Carolina University. We were both Air Force ROTC cadets together before we entered the USAF as officers. I have since gotten out of the military, but as someone who actually knows her I can assure you there is NOTHING voluntary about her sudden disappearance. As a former anti-terrorism officer in the Air Force Security Forces I can tell you there are dozens of reasons for a relatively high-profile abduction like this. I just pray the US military finds her safe and sound very quickly! May God be with her and her family in Henderson, NC right now! If her family reads this, I hope they know we’re all praying hard every day, several times a day, for Jill’s safe return to them.
I too have know Jill for some time having been stationed with her in Europe. Not only is she an accomplished athlete and excellent military officer, she is also a caring individual.
No matter the situation, let her family know that her friends, cowworkers and many people who had never heard her name before are praying for her safe return.
While it is second nature to guess what has happened, let the facts come as they will .
I also knew Jill at ECU as we were ROTC cadets togther. I agree with Bill, that she would not just go walk off. She has to much to offer the military, and has to much going for her to do that.
I want to make clear I support all the friends and family of Jill.
Pooh on the folks fantasizing about her taking a walkabout.
Something bad has happened, we just don’t know how bad.
I knew Jill when she was a girl. She was one of my first “I’ll be your best friends.” I think it’s weird that this isn’t on the news–it’s a really alarming/unusual situation. What a nightmare. I’m still trying to put my mind around little Jill being in the military–not what I would’ve expected; I knew her family was.. but so was my dad… Jill was always tough though; she could hang with the boys even when they were mean. I shouldn’t be surprised by anything I guess. I haven’t seen or heard a word about her since eighth grade–that is until now.
I’m out of my mind with worry for my friend, Jill. I was deployed to Manas Air Base in 2003 and have been to the very same store where she was last seen.
She is a top notch officer and a wonderful human being. I knew her before we were commissioned and had the pleasure of serving with her at Ramstein. We played soccer together and she (along with her parents and boyfriend) met up with me in Sarajevo (they were touring, I was deployed there) last summer.
With all of Jill’s accomplishments, she was also humble and very kind to everyone. I’ve looked up to her for a long time and I’m here to tell you if anything happens to her, the world will suffer a great loss as well as the USAF. Jill, I am praying so hard for your safe return.
There is no doubt in my mind–this is beyond her control.
I have known Jill for two years and would say that she is one of the most humble and caring person out there. I too have been deployed to Kyrgyzstan and know where she was. She definitely did not do this in her own will. My family and I pray for her quick and safe return! I am running the AF Marathon next week and will be running with her as my inspiration if she can not make it!
God Bless and protect you, Jill!
Even though I have never met Maj Metzger, her presence was definitely felt last year as she won the AF Marathon (military woman) for the second time in a row. Not only does this hit home because we wear the same uniform or because we are marathoners, but because she is HUMAN. Like Keara, I too have been deployed and shopped at the Tzum many times, and it is simply an indescribable feeling as to how this could have happen. As Keara said…we will run this one for you Major! Do not worry, even if you are late, you will still pass right by us:-)
GOD Bless You and Your family.
I am a friend of Jill Metzger and worked with her at Ramstein AB. I was also a fellow personnel officer. I have never met anyone so dedicated to the Air Force as Jill. She loves the Air Force. She is one of the hardest workers I have ever met. This is definitely not foul play on Maj Metzger’s part and it pains me to read people writing disaparaging comments about someone’s character who they do not even know. She deserves better!
Just to let the family know that we are praying for a safe return. Our small group bible study in Queen Creek, AZ is praying. Keep faith that the Lord will work a miracle.
SRuth Queen Creek, AZ
I have never met Jill, but have a unique connection to her. Just please pray that she will show up. Her family will be on Good Morning America tomorrow (9/8)to talk about her.
For whatever this is worth, I have been following this story since it broke.
1. I find it very difficult to believe that someone would have been ‘abducted’ from that store without calling any attention to themselves.
2. Tsum (Zum), in right in the middle of the city. It is packed with people from the time it opens until it closes. Especially at this time of year. Russians, Americans, Germans, Brits, Kyrgyz, Canadians, you name it, they are there. How do I know? I lived in an apartment right across from the store and frequently went shopping there.
3. There are only 3 entrances, each empty out to the main streets (Tsum is on a corner). There are people everywhere especially around the entrances. People would have had to notice something if she had been abducted.
4. This store is littered with security. Why? because of the petty crime that is committed in that part of the world. (pick pockets, shoplifting)
5. The Major knew not to separate from the group she was with, yet she did. Under no circumstances are they to do this.
6. And now… The latest report now indicates that a video camera (security) has what appears to be the Major, leaving the store and getting into a car.
That, unfortunately, does not sound like an abuction to me.
We know her. There is absolutely NO WAY that she would go AWOL. End of story!
Please pray for her!
I met Jill when I was visiting one of my sorority sisters in Germany 2 years ago. The three of us hung out most of the weekend (her mom and sister were in town, too) and she was absolutely wonderful to get to know. Very friendly , interested in finding out about you, humble about her marathon accomplishments. Very poised and has a totally good head on her shoulders. She is not the type to go AWOL or ‘be stupid’ in a situation like this.
I’m not much of the praying kind, but I will pray for her this weekend.
Read about the FRONTLINE story about bride- kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan at: PBS Frontline
I spent last winter in Kyrgyzstan. I had made friends in one village, which used to be called Marx and which has been renamed to Muddy Field since the post-Communist transition. A family there told me I should come back during “the kidnapping season,” which occurs mainly after the harvest in the fall, when people have money and time to start thinking about marriage before the onset of winter. We followed one kidnapping preparation with the help of this family, but, unfortunately, we weren’t able to get the kidnapping on film. We then started stopping at bus stations and taxi stands, where we asked around about prospective kidnappings. And that worked. Because most people don’t have a car, when they plan to kidnap a girl, they hire a taxi. So taxi drivers are quite informed about when kidnappings will occur.
I hope this has not happened to Major Metzger, but it is an unfortunate possibility. Pray for her and her family.
There are a few other details that haven’t been widely reported. The Major made two phone calls while inside the store, the first lasting for ~3 minutes, and the second call about 90 minutes later lasting for 15 seconds. It has been reported that she had acquaintances in Bishkek and was most likely in communication with them. After the video of her at a station in the city around 430, there were 2 INCOMING calls made to her cell phone. The first was around 515, and the second around 7p. The phone company has reported that her phone traveled around the city after leaving the store, and that after the second call to her cell phone at 7p, the phone was turned off.
Perhaps she was attempting to say goodbye to her friends in the local area, and perhaps there were other people there when she met her “friends”. I just hope we don’t see her face on an al-Jazeera videotape in a few weeks.
In times of worry, fear and confusion it is only normal for a missing person to become un-tainted and described as an “outstanding officer” who holds the highest values and morals. However, it is important to face all aspects of a person in order to seek the truth. Because of the posts I have read previously of people ignoring the facts and stating AWOL is not an possibility, I feel like I need to share the side of Jill I know…one with no redeeming qualities or morals and no remorse for her actions. Here is my story.
I was stationed with Jill in Germany but I did not work with her, so I can not attest to her work ethic. I can, however, attest to her morals. I knew Jill and she knew me – in fact, prior to being stationed in Germany we had dated the same person(at different times). We were never friendly, in fact, she did not like me. I don’t think she liked many females that she might view as competitors.
In 2002, shortly before the Iraq war, Jill and my (now ex) husband worked together. She knew he was engaged yet made advances to him anyway. On their first “date”, Jill took my ex to a pool hall where she bet him her “panties” that she would beat him at pool. She ended up getting half naked in a German pub…conduct becoming of an officer? I think not. Permiscuity and unprofessional relationships is a crime in which Jill herself as a personnel officer had punished subordinates. However, that is not where I fault Jill. I do not even fault her for my husbands unfaithfulness – that was his decision. I never knew of the relationship between Jill and my ex until six months after my wedding, when my ex and I had already moved back to the states. I received an “anonymous” email with specific details of their relationship – which only she would know. I ended up emailing her directly for the story and I will never forget her lack of remorse, spiteful and hurtful way in which she told me of my husband’s infidelity. This is where I find fault with Jill. Her abrasive comments to me were disgusting and vindictive; intended to hurt. Long story short, I ended up filing for divorce and went on with my life. I actually thought about sending Jill a thank-you note a few months ago because she saved me from a horrible marriage and I am happier now than I have ever been. However, when this story came out I felt ill that she was missing. I truly feel deeply sorry for her family. The more evidence I read about her stopping a private car, getting a ride to a bus station and using a public phone has made me suspicious. You see, not everyone is the way they seem. Everyone has a yin and a yang.
Richie (above) talks about ala kachuu, and describes it well. I worked for seven years in rural Kyrgyzstan and saw dozens of cases of it, including several of my students.
I’d just like to comment that it’s not likely that Major Metzger would be a victim of ala kachuu. She cannot provide what the abductors want: Kyrgyz housekeeping, Kyrgyz food and Kyrgyz babies.
Others have rightly described the environment round Tsum as bustling and well policed. It would be a stupid place to go to try nd kidnap an American military officer. But terrorists are stupid (wily, but stupid).
Anyway, I’m praying for a happy conclusion to this issue.
Jakshi natija ertereek bolsun.
HappyCivilian,
Your immature comments are really pathetic. What anything you have to say in “your story” has to do with Jill’s disappearance is absoutely beyond me. Why you would try to hurt someone when they are down just illustrates YOUR character. Grow up and get over your cheating ex-husband!
wow…how funny to hear from the ex-wife! I love the internet!
I’m sure her comments are fully of angst, but I think this woman hasn’t been kidnapped, but rather is AWOL.
The ministry, which oversees the police, is also trying to establish the holder of a phone she called about 45 minutes before she was last seen,”
Dear HappyCivilian,
All I can say is wow. What kind of person are you that you would post such a thing before the whereabouts of Jill are known? Whether your story is true or not is irrelevant. A father and mother are missing their daughter. A husband is missing his wife. A brother is missing his sister. You are perhaps one of the most selfish, sad, and pathetic creatures I’ve ever had the displeasure of acknowledging. Jill’s disappearance isn’t about you or your failed marriage. With whatever small amount of decency you may have in your soul, out of respect for her family, please refrain from such poisonous rancor and keep your Jerry Springer life to yourself. When Jill comes home… then say whatever you want. Until then… STFU.
Say what you will…
Marine’s disappearance staged, police say
DENVER, Colorado (AP) — Authorities who spent five days searching for a Marine after a friend reported him lost in a hiking accident have arrested the friend and said Thursday they believe the disappearance was staged, so the serviceman could avoid returning to duty.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/09/08/missing.marine.ap/index.html
I’m glad to see that people who knew Jill are getting on this blog in support, though the POSITIVE comments from others that have become aware of this story are encouraging.
I’ve known Jill for a long time and, though she isn’t perfect, remember that none of us are and now is not the time for character defamation.
Prayer is the best think anyone can do for her, save those that are actually on the ground and in the area exploring the clues and actively searching for her.
What she is saying is that everyone has two sides, and not everyone knows both sides of a person.
That being said, I hope she is alive, well, and that it is all resolved soon. The hardest part is the not knowing.
Well, then how about just saying that? And then, as the previous poster so very well put it…save the rest for Jerry Springer where it truly belongs.
I think Happy simply stated another view of a person that is being glorified. She even wanted to write this girl a thank you. People have spoken up when the word AWOL is used as if this girl was a saint. True, because she was part of a cheating relationship doesn’t make her AWOL , as being a runner doesn’t make her innocent. Why aren’t people speaking up for the marine that is missing?
LS,
I’m not sure you read the same post I read from “happy civilian”, but if you read what I read, you read about someone who gave some info about the Jill’s character and about her take on the kidnapping thing. What is the difference from her post to those that have said that she is a great officer? Those posts were talking about this person’s character also and it didn’t seem to bother you.
I know Jill, I met her in Germany. I’m not her best friend or her enemy; she is just another AF officer like me. However, I did hear stories of her dating people she shouldn’t have dated, and saw her really drunk in bars. As an officer I condemn this conduct, because Officers should lead by example even in their private/personal time they (we) are still Officers.
No, LS, this is not what her disappearance is about, you are right, but if some people choose to talk about her character in a good way, then I see nothing wrong about people who point out the other side of her. By the way, just in case you are wondering, I have no idea who happy civilian is.
Now, going to the topic in hand; from what I see in the news, this whole story seems really odd. I wonder why she would leave the store by herself just 3 minutes after she got there with her friend. I wonder why she was seen in a bus station by herself and making a phone call from a pay phone when she had a cell phone. There are a lot of unanswered questions here that make you think. I really hope there is some other side of the story that we don’t know about, and I hope that Jill is found soon and that she is doing well, but we can’t deny that something about this story sounds fishy. I don’t want to think that she went AWOL, but the evidence is almost pointing that way, that is unless the Air Force knows something that we don’t. However if that is the case (and she went AWOL), then something should be done about that when she is found, but I really hope I’m wrong.
I have no idea what happened here, and it is all to surreal and weird, but I do hope that Jill is found soon, because time in a case like this is precious.
I don’t think anyone is trying to say that because she is a runner that she is innocent. I think most are just hoping that because she is in excellent athletic condition then maybe she has a chance of surviving. To be honest, I don’t think the news is at all glorifying her…to the very contrary they are very much implying that she hopped a bus on her own free well.
Supposedly the marine isn’t missing…?
And the news ALWAYS reports the facts….ha! C’mon, you are an AF officer…you must know that the news gives half the story highlighting parts that will get you to keep reading. Some news reports say that the calls were incoming and some report they were outgoing. Who knows? Certainly not us. I just think it is hateful to publicly slander someone when they are not around to defend themselves. Happy could have certainly done this when Jill was available to tell her side of the story, but she chose to do it now. Things that make you go, hmmmm
JL,
Did you read the part were I said something about the Air Force knowing more? Of course I know that the news aren’t always right, but I can’t comment on what they are not saying or the AF is not saying…I’m not psychic. There is probably something more, and that is why the AF is not ruling out anything yet, but I was simply talking about what I know from what I have read in the news….just as simple as that.
Oh My God, a thirty-something female officer actually had sex and drank? For shame. Maybe she ran away in Krygastan to escape her horrid past. The ying and yang of it all.
Give me a freaking break! Listen to yourselves.
I don’t know what the stories about Jill dating and drinking has anything to do with her disappearance. These stories are plain spiteful. If you really care about finding her and think that story will have an impact on finding Jill then talk to the investigators instead of defaming someone who can’t defend herself on a blog, but I sincerely doubt you hae done this. You are a bitter and selfish person for posting something like this. Shame on you. Your purpose is not to help, but rather hurt people she cares about at the worst possible moment. Jill does everything to extremes…that is her personality. She would work until 2am then come back at 7am. In Germany everyone is partying hard and working very hard. Unless you are married to a guy then no adultery was committed and I’d say your ex-husband is just as much at fault and is in no way a UCMJ violation. But please don’t say you care about Jill’s disappearance when it’s all about you and your hurt feelings.
I know Jill and her family personally. I can say for a fact that they are what anyone would consider “good people.” As for Jill’s social life, she is an adult. I will say that she is an extremely driven individual – she gives 110% to everything and she puts a lot of pressure of herself. Not many women achieve what she has achieved. I am hopeful that nothing bad has happened to her but I keep thinking about the “run away” bride from a couple years back. Could Jill had experienced some sort of break down or trauma that has led to this situation? As for AWOL – she had essentially completed her time and was getting ready to go home. Was there something at home that was a stressor? It is unlikely many of us will ever know. I do know all involved need our prayers and open minds at a time like this.
If people really care about Jill Metzger, please for heaven’s sake STOP giving away her personal information on this public website. We don’t want the enemy having more information about her. I know everyone here has great intentions, but for Jill’s benefit, please stop giving the enemy information about her and her family.
This whole thread, although started with good intentions, should be locked. It shouldn’t be a place for cowards to slander or people to pass their biased judgment. This is a sad and scary situation, regardless of the events that have taken place, for whatever reasons. Let’s pray for Jill’s safe return so we can all hear the details from the only real source, I think we all owe her that.
I can’t say much, but there is good news.
I was also in Air Force ROTC with Jill at East Carolina University. She’s an amazing person: Always happy, positive, and motivating to the people around her. Everyone knew she would be successful at anything she wanted to take on. I don’t care what happened…Just pray for her to get back to her family safely. She deserves that.
Great advice, Cindy. If Jill Metzger was taken by some sort of hostile entity, personal information about her (family, friends, duty stations, habits, interests, etc) can be used for a variety of purposes by that entity–none of them good. It’s time we all stop posting information about her, let those in charge of finding her do their job, and pray for her and her family that they may all find strength in this time of need.
Anon is not only correct, but speedy, and beat me to the punch.
It’s true good news travels fast.
Rest of story should be interesting.
The news is reporting she has been found in good condition.
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2411302&page=1
I have a gut feeling that Jill is AWOL. Given her past history of cheating – which I have heard before and her going to be leaving the area in 3 days. It is possible, she left with a man she was having an affair with while stationed there and then mysteriously appears 3 days later. STay tuned…