The Search for Shep Berryhill
The GoFundMe for Shep is up:
https://gofund.me/f39ca114
When Shep's family reached out to me, he had already been missing nearly a week. Many friends started to drive roads searching for sign that a vehicle had left the road. This page was an attempt to keep folks informed of actual facts, and communicate who had done what, when, to others. Many miles were driven, probably none more that those driven by Tom Wildman.
Research suggested that using a business page was best for a Missing Persons Search, because ads could be effective. In the weeks up until Shep's whereabouts were known and to date over 9,000 "impressions" and over 3500 "engagements" were made on this page. Lots of folks were hoping for the best.
Wicca Davidson created a Go Fund Me page that has succeeded beyond expectations.
I am handing administration of this page off to Shep.
He can speak to a wider audience with no need for me to be a go-between now.
Thank you all for your show of support to Shep. This worked out.
Charley Harvey
This from Shep, 01/10/2021:
Folks, it has now been five weeks since my injury, disappearance, and incarceration, and two weeks since my release from jail. So much has happened in the last two weeks. An update is in order.
I saw my doctor at the VA on Friday. He is ordering MRIs, but they will have to be scheduled and didn't happen then. He also said that modern brain imaging is a new technology, limited in practical use, and has to be interpreted by an experienced radiologist in light of conglomerate patient histories, cadaver dissections, and the history of medicine. He asked a lot of questions, and talked a good bit about the best nutritional support and environment for brain healing and brain health in general being ketosis. Which fits right in with my family histories of both diabetes and dementia. I'm already close, after eliminating sugar, white flour, white rice, and white potatoes as much as possible from my diet a few years ago after being diagnosed as prediabetic, and changing my ratio of meat and veggies with carbs. He gave me some good rough guidelines: an active person like myself might be able to consume 100g/day of carbohydrates and still achieve ketosis, since we burn it off with activity, while a sedentary person like himself might be limited to only 25g/day to get the same effect. He also is referring me to another patient of his, a Lt. Col. with solid legal connections, for advice there. I also got a tetanus booster in my left arm and a covid vaccination booster in my right arm (third dose of Pfizer), a new VA card coming, and paperwork and advice on getting a DD214 (discharge papers, the standard proof of military service, for court). I'm so glad I have good healthcare now, and I like my doctor. He has a balanced view, some skepticism of mainstream practices and acceptance of 'alternative' medicine. My ribs and head still hurt, but less, and I'm still having neurological symptoms, but they are declining, too. A local esteemed herbal healer and teacher has made me two custom tincture blends, a brain healer and a bone healer, as his donation to helping me.
Legally, the pile of lists and paperwork chores is accumulating. I do now have a new ATM card. I've discovered that I can't change my address on my driver's license online, so I'll have to go stand in line to get that. One question I haven't found the answer for is how I'm going to prove my residential address, since I get my mail at the P.O. Box, and there's no mail delivered at the old French Broad School. My lawyer in Tennessee has already met with the DA, and said that was productive. I've gotten good references from well connected friends for civil lawyers here. I've gotten the paperwork from Mission hospital to get my records from the night I was injured, including the CAT scans and x-rays they did. (I got a piece of mail from an HCA office, detailing the billing from that night, that the VA paid for it, and specifying what they billed for, which surprisingly included CAT scans. I didn't know about those.) I paid my auto insurance, even though I don't have a vehicle in my name now, to keep the good policy and agent I've had for a long time. I'm probably forgetting something.
I'm still astounded at the level of support and messages of love I've gotten from so many people. The GoFundMe has done extremely well, in a very short time. Thank you all for donating, and especially thank you from the depths of my heart to Wicca Davidson for creating that. I will get to writing individual thank yous soon. I am still rather overwhelmed, and gladly allowing myself time to chill when I'm not. The GoFundMe has generated more than I netted in income last year, for a very difficult year, and although I'll have some significant expenses coming up, it gives me the time and room to heal and recuperate and improve the condition of my life. Thank you all so much. Lacy Hagan also created a meal train for me, people are donating food, and I have plenty of good food to eat.
My mechanic is back to working on my next van, another Chevy Astro AWD. It will be a little time before it's road ready, but Nate and Kelly, the friends and owners of the old school where I live, have lent me the school's shop/support vehicle, a Nissan Pathfinder, for as long as I need it, so I have wheels. I have renewed my connections with a lot of people, some old friends I haven't been in touch with. I have a small group of very competent, trusted advisors to help me with legal and financial strategy. So I've got a lot to do ahead of me, but I'm working through it and making progress.
30/12/2021
Help Shep Rebuild #you'vegotafriend, organized by Wicca Davidson These last 3+ weeks have been rough on Shep and on his family & friend… Wicca Davidson needs your support for Help Shep Rebuild 'vegotafriend
30/12/2021
Help Shep Rebuild #you'vegotafriend, organized by Wicca Davidson These last 3+ weeks have been rough on Shep and on his family & friend… Wicca Davidson needs your support for Help Shep Rebuild 'vegotafriend
Shep has asked me to post this. His own words.
Hello all you lovely people. First, the most succinctly complete account of what happened is most of the email letter I sent to the lawyer I've chosen to represent me in Tennessee. It is slightly edited, but here we go:
Hello Sir,
I am John S. Berryhill (Shep), I live in Alexander (Asheville area), North Carolina. I need your services. My first court date is January 4th in Sumner County, Gallatin, Tennessee, so time is of the essence. I assume it is likely that continuation will be necessary, giving us more time to prepare, but my situation is so bizarre that it is possible that it could be resolved by dismissal right away.
On 12/2, while working (I am a freelance carpenter/woodworker), I fell off an extension ladder, perhaps 18 feet, to a framed but not decked deck, hit the joists, fell through to the ground, and lay there unconscious and bleeding for awhile before my client found me. I broke two ribs, smashed my head hard, nearly severing an ear, had a hard concussion, and cuts and bruises all over my body. My client took me to Mission hospital, where I was for six hours, getting xrays and labwork, but then they inexplicably let me go without detaining me for observation, not even to the care and supervision of my client, sitting out in the parking lot, but to my own direction. I walked out by myself. My client took me back to his house in Black Mountain and let me drive away, although he and his wife entreated and pressured me to stay, which I don't remember. I have no memory of the fall, transporting (except for one brief moment in his back seat), time in the hospital (except for one brief moment telling them I should be at the VA hospital), or the driving I did. But apparently, I headed towards home on I-40, and just kept driving west until I was pulled over near Gallatin, Tennessee, at 5 am. I have no idea how I accomplished that, including the gorge, detours, stopping for gas, and getting stopped about 30 miles off of I-40. I was non compos mentis. My next memory is getting pulled over. I was charged with evading arrest (I continued to drive for over two minutes after she put her lights on. As soon as I became aware I was being pulled over, I pulled over), DUI (I didn't know what time it was, where I was, and was slurring my speech), two guns, simple possession of ma*****na, paraphernalia, and a 'pill bottle' (a common legal drug prescribed to me by the VA with my name on the label, and empty). Her assumption that I was illegally impaired (I was not under the influence of alcohol or any drugs) instead of in need of medical attention, even though I had blood and a bandage on my head, is astounding. Her affidavit claims she gave me a field sobriety test, which I do not remember, and on which I scored fairly low in impairment. I have no memory of blood being taken for testing. I was taken directly to jail, and have no memory of appearing before a magistrate. I was held in the Sumner County jail from about 5 am, 12/3, to 2:30 am, 12/23. Even my jail ID bracelet photo shows blood and a bandage on my head. I was not even allowed to make contact with the outside world. All of my several attempts to contact people I knew were through the generosity of other inmates. Finally my cellmate from quarantine was released, and he took my list of people to facebook and made contact. Within 12 hours after my people knew where I was, my bond had been posted and they had shown up to get me.
Unbeknownst to me, I had been reported missing on 12/4. A team of Buncombe County sheriffs and detectives had been searching for me. My client was investigated and his property searched, as foul play was suspected. My phone was found in the back seat of his truck, where I had ridden to and from the hospital. I had sent, but don't remember, two texts from the hospital, which helped my friends know something was wrong. My nephew flew in from Texas to help, and actually discovered the phone. Another friend came from Ohio to help lead a private search effort, as the sheriffs are overwhelmed. A page was created, 'The Search for Shep Berryhill', with over 400 followers. Both Fox and MSN made news clips about me which were aired statewide.
By the time I was bonded out, the guns charge, the only felony, had been dropped. Apparently also the paraphernalia and pill bottle charges are gone. Only three misdemeanors remain, evasion, DUI, and simple possession. I am 60 years old, a veteran, first offense, first time in jail. I am hoping that the first two will be dismissed when we prove that I had a concussion, and that, hopefully, will also null their cause to search, dropping the possession charge as well. After resolving my legal issues in Tennessee I also intend to sue Mission hospital. My client is a private citizen who could not legally detain me without risking a kidnapping charge, but the hospital has the legal responsibility to detain me for observation for at least 24 hours after a serious head injury, and I suffered substantial damages as a result. Even the wife of the Buncombe detective, who is a nurse at Mission, said they should not have released me.
I am fairly poor. I have abandoned my van, as it is not worth the storage charges from Dad's Towing. My wallet was stolen, if not by the cop, by employees of Dad's while it was in their impound lot. At present I have no ID, bank card, VA card, etc. If my cash had been taken with me to jail, as they are supposed to, I would have had money in my commissary account, enabling me to send messages. Replacement documentation, a full check by the VA hospital, legal pressure from the VA to release Mission's documentation, etc, are tasks I need to address immediately, before court. Friends have offered to help fund a lawyer, so paying you will not be a problem. I hope to get my phone back tomorrow from the Buncombe County sheriff's property office, but at present I have no phone. I do have my computer, I had not taken it with me, and access to wifi, so until I get my phone email is the best way to reach me, and I will check it frequently.
I hope to be in touch with you soon. Thank you,
Shep Berryhill
I wrote that last night, the 27th. Addendum since then: I got a lot done today. I had a phone consultation with him, and it has already been continued to March 22nd, which gives us more time to assemble documentation and a case. I got my phone back today from the Buncombe sheriff's property office. It took two trips to Verizon to get it reconnected, but now I have my phone. I saw the head detective who managed my missing person case. She told me that eight sheriffs and I think two detectives put 600 man hours into looking for me. I went to the VA hospital and started that process. I have a list of things to do there, some documentation, some legal assistance, and some medical. I hardly noticed it in jail, that's such a different, harsh, and degrading environment, but since getting out I notice significant mental/neurological symptoms, so I want my brain thoroughly examined. I am also still in significant pain in my ribs, and there is a clicking in my chest when I breathe deeply, which could be the ribs not having knit yet, but I learned today that it also could be the cartilage between them having been torn.
I am assembling an advisory group to help me with legal and financial strategy. I already have ten names on it, some of the most trusted and competent people I know. I don't envision group meetings, just a series of back and forth for feedback and ideas other than mine which I will incorporate at my discretion. I am open to additional people, but I am going to be very selective. Does anyone know how to contact Marvin Ashburn? He is not answering his phone and his last email address is defunct. I hope he is ok.
Wicca Davidson is creating a GoFundMe for me. I am loathe to ask for help financially. I have always earned my own way. Even during over ten years of homelessness, I didn't apply for food stamps, as I, being an able bodied and skilled man, was able to work and earn, and I didn't want to take funds that I thought were better deserved by single moms and kids. I will certainly apply for food stamps now. Besides direct damages, like losing my van and a month of earnings, it will be at least another month before I am physically able to work again, and then it will be midwinter. Any help given will be so greatly appreciated.
My heart is spinning as much as my head. I had sunk to a depth of despair and loneliness before this happened. Then sitting in jail for three weeks I felt completely abandoned and desolate. Then when I get out I learn about the missing person manhunt, the sheriffs and detectives, the news stories, all the people worrying and grieving, this page and all of you on it. I am astounded at the scope of people in this world who love me. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I will never agree that jail was 'good for' me. But my reaction to it includes valuable growth lessons. It gives me new perspective on appreciating life, and not wasting what time I have left.
I received this from Shep this morning:
Thank you all for the amazing public outpouring of support. I am still injured and a bit dazed mentally, so not quite yet ready to make a public statement about what happened or deal with the avalanche of communications that will ensue. However, I've seen several comments asserting that I am healthy and doing well, and I'd like to correct that now. I am in relatively good shape considering what I've been through, but I am still injured, not quite my usual self mentally, and have a mountain of responsibilities to address in preparing for court soon. I need to decompress and compose some more first. Please do not pester me for details. The story will come out soon. But I am so grateful for your love and support.
Shep Berryhill has been found, and is being cared for.
Thanks to all in this community who raised concerns and helped.
Details are not mine to share. These will come from Shep.
as of Wednesday 12/22/21 Shep has been found. He is safe.
More details to come.
Tom continues to scan roadsides east of Asheville. He met with Buncombe County Sheriff Detective today. The search for Shep continues as an open Missing Persons file. Finding his vehicle remains a priority.
If you have actually driven any roads in North Carolina searching for Shep please comment with route, roads and dates. I am marking up a map to document coverage.
Here is an update with permission of a family member.
There continues to be an open Missing Persons report on Shep.
There is no evidence of foul play, no active criminal investigation.
Friends and family have driven every imagined route from Black Mountain to Alexander. Tow truck companies have been called.
Messages have gone out to the diverse social groups Shep moved in.
Our best hope is that the discovery of his green Chevy ASTRO van will lead to answers.
Please consider any conversation you may have had that could shed light. PM me if you need to.. Authorities will listen.
If anyone has time and interest please call Wreckers, Towtruck and Recovery companies.
Just a quick statement and question.
" I am searching for a missing person. Have you recovered a green Chevy ASTRO van?" Tag FDF-7216 if YES.
I have called around Old Fort.
Focus on a town and post which one you checked.
Thanks.
UPDATE: Monday Shep's cell phone was found in the vehicle he was transported to and from Mission Hospital. That explains Radio Silence. It does not explain why he did not return to recover it.
UPDATE: Shep's nephew Andy flew in from Texas Monday. Has met with authorities.
PLEASE HELP US FIND Shep Berryhill! He is injured and missing. He has not been seen or heard from since Friday, Dec 3rd. We are deeply concerned about his well being and desperate to find him. He was last thought to be traveling between Black Mountain NC and Alexander NC at around 2 a.m. Thursday night (Friday morning). He was driving a 1998 green Chevy Astro van. NC tag FDF-7216
Please help! If you have any information, please message.
This page is for sharing what we know and to co-ordinate efforts to find Shep.