# Has Timmothy Pitzen been found after 7 years? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 4, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048 "2019-04-04T17:51:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/1 "2019-04-04T17:51:20Z")
I’m a little skeptical. But, this is not a highly publicized case and it’s an unusual name. Seems unlikely a random 14 year old would know this name. The witness description certainly sounds like a boy that’s been through a lot. Authorities are conducting tests today. I always hope for a great outcome in abduction cases. It does occasionally happen. Jayme Closs escaped several months captivity in January. Jaycee Dugard was held captive 18 years. [https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/04/04/us/missing-teen-timmothy-pitzen-investigation/index.html](https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/04/04/us/missing-teen-timmothy-pitzen-investigation/index.html) [https://www.google.com/amp/s/people.com/crime/timmothy-pitzen-boy-claiming-to-be-missing-child-had-bruised-face/amp/](https://www.google.com/amp/s/people.com/crime/timmothy-pitzen-boy-claiming-to-be-missing-child-had-bruised-face/amp/) > [@](#): > > Almost eight years ago, Timmothy Pitzen and his mother went on a road trip that included stops at a zoo and a water park. Their adventure started after Amy Fry-Pitzen checked her 6-year-old son out of an Illinois elementary school on May 11, 2011. > > Three days later, the mother’s body was found in a hotel room in Rockford, Illinois. She had died by suicide, leaving behind a note that said her son was with people who love him. > > “You’ll never find him,” the note said. > [@](#): > > But when a closer look revealed the boy’s bruised face and terrified expression, they realized he needed help. Their subsequent encounter with him might have helped solve the missing persons case of Timmothy Pitzen, who was 6 years old when he vanished in 2011 and would be 14 today. > > “He looked like he had been beat up, yes. Punched in the face a couple of times,” neighbor Crekasafra Night told Cincinnati station WCPO. “You could see the fear on him and how nervous he was and how he kept pacing — and he just looked odd.” ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/2 "2019-04-04T18:19:12Z")
Timmothy has a grandmother that’s still alive. [https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cincinnati.com/amp/3364269002](https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cincinnati.com/amp/3364269002) This teen will have a home if he’s proven to be the missing child. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/3 "2019-04-04T18:35:14Z")
As far as I can tell, Timmothy Pitzen’s father is still alive, and presumably his son would be returned to him. His mother’s relatives have been getting some publicity by speaking out to the press before the boy’s identity has been established. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/4 "2019-04-04T18:37:45Z")
There’s enough of a resemblance that I wouldn’t rule it out straight away: [Timmothy Pitzen](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D3QFcWKW0AAABEa.jpg); “[Timmothy Pitzen](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D3SXtqtWwAICpXB.jpg)”. Should have an answer one way ot the other soon enough. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/5 "2019-04-04T19:31:20Z")
Especially with two Ms in Timmothy. I’d never heard of this case. The chances of a 14 year old dreaming up a scam seem nil to me. And this chills the hell out of me: > [@](#): > > She added, “I asked him what was going on, and he told me he’s been kidnapped and he’s been traded through all these people. Since we’re talking about victims escaping, don’t forget [Ariel Castro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Castro_kidnappings). Bastard hung himself in his cell. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/6 "2019-04-04T19:48:34Z")
[Natascha Kampusch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natascha_Kampusch) is another good example It seems unlikely that a random 14 year old who wasn’t Timmothy himself would even remember much about the case. After all - all the current 14-year-olds were only 6 when it happened. Anyway, a kid with a beaten up face wandering around saying ‘please help me’ to everyone clearly does need help, whoever he is, so it’s good that he’s getting some ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/7 "2019-04-04T20:03:00Z")
What did the mother mean in the suicide note where she said that he was with people who love him? Did she voluntarily give him to someone? And I don’t really want to think about what he’s been through. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/8 "2019-04-04T20:25:55Z")
He has living relatives so identity can be confirmed. I’m wondering if his mother really committed suicide. I hadn’t heard of this before so I don’t know any details. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/9 "2019-04-04T20:32:08Z")
[Steven Stayner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Stayner#Media_adaptations) is a case made famous in a TV mini-series, My Name is Steven. Even after found things did not go well for Steven. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/10 "2019-04-04T20:54:02Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I’m wondering if his mother really committed suicide. I wondered that, too. But I guess she was known to have ‘problems’. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/11 "2019-04-04T20:57:01Z")
[FBI says it’s not him](https://twitter.com/FBILouisville/status/1113903425106767872) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/12 "2019-04-04T21:02:20Z")
Oh well, He’s somebodys son and needs help. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/13 "2019-04-04T21:07:21Z")
He must know something about the case, though. He didn’t pull that name out of thin air. Maybe he knew Timmothy, if they were both in the same situation? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/14 "2019-04-04T21:11:44Z")
Wouldn’t be the first time an [imposter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Imposter_(2012_film)) claimed to be a missing child. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/15 "2019-04-04T21:15:16Z")
I’m sure the investigation is just beginning. The boy may genuinely believe he’s Timmothy. He may have been told that. It could be an elaborate hoax, but I don’t see any reason for it. AFAIK this isn’t a wealthy family. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/16 "2019-04-04T21:18:26Z")
He appears to be a [23 year old man](https://www.kcra.com/article/fbi-dna-evidence-confirms-boy-found-in-nky-is-not-missing-boy-timmothy-pitzen/27047422). Elaborate or not, it is some kind of hoax. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/17 "2019-04-04T21:21:24Z")
He’s old enough, at 23, to remember this case when it occurred almost 8 years ago. What a bizarre turn of events. I’m glad police identified him quickly. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/18 "2019-04-04T21:25:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > He’s old enough, at 23, to remember this case when it occurred almost 8 years ago. This case was featured on a recently released Amazon show. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/19 "2019-04-04T21:28:27Z")
I’d asked the mods to delete the link to the photo I posted earlier for privacy reasons, as the better news sources were blurring the face, but I’m not sure it matters now that the person has been identified as an unrelated adult. Thinking back to the case of Anastasia and Anna Anderson, it’s great to see how DNA has cleared this mystery up so quickly (or this part of it, at least). ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048/20 "2019-04-04T21:33:54Z")
This is why we can’t have nice things. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-timmothy-pitzen-been-found-after-7-years/832048.md?page=2)