A Glimpse into April's Life
Born on February 19, 1974, in Arkansas, April's early life was marked by challenges. At the age of 19, her mother, Gloria Denton, lost custody of her due to her young age. However, Gloria remained a constant presence in April's life, and when April turned 17, she chose to live with her mother. Family and friends describe April as sweet, caring, and someone who made friends easily. She had a nurturing nature and enjoyed outdoor activities like hiking and hang gliding.
In her early twenties, April's life took a tumultuous turn. One night, while at a bar, she offered two new female acquaintances a ride home. During the drive, she was pulled over and cited for driving while intoxicated. The two passengers had methamphetamine on them, which added to the situation. In exchange for dropping the DWI charges, the police asked her to work for them as a drug informant. April, terrified of having a criminal record, agreed. Unbeknownst to her, she was infiltrating a major drug ring that smuggled and traded drugs from Arkansas all the way to Southern California.
At some point, April's cover was compromised, and the police advised her that it was no longer safe to live in Arkansas. She relocated to Texas, where she met Chase Pitzer, whom she married and had two daughters with. However, her past would catch up with her. When she was eight months pregnant with her first child, officials from the DEA showed up at her doorstep and told her she was being summoned to testify in proceedings against people in the drug ring she had infiltrated. Her testimony led to the conviction and sentencing of more than thirty participants in this major drug ring.
After testifying, April returned to Texas, but according to her mother, Gloria, "April was never the same." She became extremely paranoid, convinced that she would be stalked, hurt, or killed as retribution for her testimony. She refused to let her daughters sleep separately from her, insisted on locks and surveillance equipment, and began to drink heavily to cope with her fears. She was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder, though some believe her symptoms were a result of PTSD from her work as an informant.
The stress of all this took a toll on her marriage, and despite counseling and numerous attempts at reconciliation, April and Chase eventually divorced. April lost custody of her two young daughters due to her declining mental health, which caused her to spiral even further. Reeling from the loss of her marriage and children, April met a new romantic interest, John Lopez, who offered to take her back to California. Having nothing left to lose, she agreed.
A New Beginning in California
April arrived in Newberry Springs, California, with hopes of starting over. She found work as a caregiver for an elderly woman and began to rebuild her life. However, the shadows of her past continued to loom. She became involved with individuals connected to the drug world, including Steve Wilkinson, Chuck "Uncle Chuck" Hollister, and Dan "Dan Dan" Dansbury. At one point, she was homeless, staying on friends' couches.
One night, April found herself distraught on the side of the highway. Mark Killibrew, driving by, noticed her distress and stopped to help. He brought her to his invalid mother, Barbara, who befriended April and for whom April worked as a caretaker for a brief time. It was Barbara who convinced April to call her mother and let her know how she had been living in California. Once Gloria was aware of the situation, she sent clothes and offered to pay for a bus ticket to bring April home. April agreed but wanted to wait until Gloria had settled in Arkansas.
The Final Days
In the days leading up to her disappearance, April's behavior became increasingly erratic. She had an encounter with Brandy Brooks, the wife of a man who had been jailed as a result of April's testimony against the drug ring. According to Wilkinson, April tried to apologize, inadvertently revealing her past as an informant. This made her a target among individuals involved with the drug ring.
April called her mother shortly after the encounter, expressing her desire to leave California. Gloria urged her to leave immediately, fearing for her safety. April agreed to stay with Chuck Hollister in the meantime. This was the last time Gloria spoke to her daughter.
The Disappearance
On June 28, 2004, April was last seen near the 30000 block of Caspian Way in Newberry Springs. An acquaintance reportedly gave her a ride to a bus station, but she never arrived in Arkansas as planned. Her mother, Gloria Denton, contacted a friend in California, who reported April missing on July 16, 2004.
Rumors began circulating that April had been murdered and disposed of in a mine shaft. Authorities searched 25 mines in the area but found no evidence. Eight months later, an unidentified person in New Mexico attempted to obtain a cellular phone in April's name, a lead that led to no further developments.
Theories and Speculations
1. Retaliation for Past Cooperation
One prevailing theory suggests that April's past as an undercover informant may have led to her demise. Her involvement with law enforcement could have made her a target for those she had previously exposed.
2. Involvement of Associates
Several individuals connected to April have come under suspicion. Chuck Hollister, with whom April had been staying before her disappearance, provided conflicting statements to investigators. He claimed to have been helping a friend move to Oregon and assumed April had taken a bus to Arkansas. However, his inconsistent accounts raised doubts among authorities.
Other individuals, including Dan Dansbury and Steve Wilkinson, have also been mentioned in connection with the case. While no concrete evidence has linked them to April's disappearance, their names continue to surface in discussions about the case.
3. Drug Activity in the Area
The Newberry Springs area has a history of drug-related activities. Some speculate that April may have become entangled in this environment, leading to her disappearance. Her mother's belief that April was murdered by a drug dealer or someone affiliated with one adds weight to this theory.
The Search and Ongoing Investigation
Despite extensive searches and investigations, April's whereabouts remain unknown. Authorities continue to treat her case as a homicide, though her body has never been found. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department remains the lead agency in the investigation. April, her daughters and her family deserve justice. Since then April was declared legally dead in 2010.
How You Can Help
If you have any information about April Beth Pitzer's disappearance, please contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department at (909) 387-3690. Her case number is 080401661.
Thank you for reading Echoes of The Unsolved. If you want to stay updated on more true crime stories and ongoing investigations, be sure to subscribe to my blog. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on April Beth Pitzer's case—feel free to share your opinions or any insights in the comments below. Until next time, stay safe.
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