Disappearance Of Colleen Wood

I spend my days working and after that I spend my days watching the Investigation Discovery Channel. Yesterday particularly, I saw an episode on Disappeared about a young woman named Colleen Wood. As you might already know I am fascinated with all this types of cold cases and I don't want to be left behind on trying to help solve a case. If you have any information on the missing person below contact Fort Lauderdale police or comment on my post. 

MISSING:

Gender: Female
 DOB: 12/2/47
Height: 5’0”
Weight: 115 to 120 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Gray and/or blonde
Remarks: Last seen 12/28/00 

CASE DETAILS

Colleen Wood was reported missing on April 16, 2001 by her son Michael Tandarich. She is originally from Ohio and was last seen in Fort Lauderdale. She was last heard from in late December of 2000. 



MONTHS PRIOR TO DISAPPEARANCE

Lets retrace her steps in the months prior to her disappearance. Approximately 14- 16 months before, Colleen Wood met a man by the name of John Paul in a personal ad which stated he was looking for a sailing companion. She was very impressed by this man and his achievements in life. He told her that he had an MBA from Harvard University and was a race car driver as well. After a whirlwind of romance and love, they were soon making plans to sail around the world in John's 55-foot schooner named Island Girl. Prior to going in their worldwide trip John convinced Colleen to sell her condo and her belongings as their was no need for them while out at sea. Colleen did just that and gave the profit of $43,000.00 to John for investment. Without knowing, doing just that she had sealed her fate. Colleen Wood permanently moved in with John aboard the Island Girl. She called her son in Ohio, Michael on December 3, 2000 to let him know that they would be setting sail in a few weeks and she would be in touch with him soon. 10 days later a co-worker (Maureen Canada), spoke with Colleen to invite her to the office Christmas party. Colleen told her she was in Key West with John and that they were planning on going back and she would definitely be at the party. The Christmas party came and Colleen did not show up. Her son Michael hadn't heard from her also. They began to get worried. According to friends and family she would have called. Her son tried calling her but the account had been closed due to no payment. Michael contacted police, but there was no evidence of a crime being committed. 

The Real John Paul

For the most part of January and February Michael Tandarich tracked down any possible sighting of the Island Girl calling the Coast Guard and the FCC. He spent time searching the internet hoping to find any information on John Paul, but what he discovered let him believe that family and Colleen didn't know John Paul at all. John Paul was involved in a drug smuggling ring in the early 80's and was portrayed as the mastermind. He had also tried to kill one of his partners, but failed. He was let out on parole just less than a year before Colleen met John. Michael was able to track down John Paul's daughter which she stated her father had called her saying Colleen got upset with him over an issue involving one of his prior girlfriends in which case she decided to end the relationship. Later Michael received a call from John Paul with a different story, stating that they argued and doesn't remember why and that Colleen had left. She then came back later that day with her football player boyfriend and took all her belongings and hasn't seen her since.

Into The Investigation

After the different versions of how Colleen had disappeared Michael gave it another attempt to file a missing persons report.  Upon investigating the disappearance something finally came up four months after Colleen was last heard from. Their had been suspicious activity ranging from December to February, over 80 transaction withdrawing cash advances for a total of $40,000. Police knew it wasn't Colleen when they reviewed the ATM surveillance video. They were able to track down two girls that said that a man had paid them to withdraw money and would pay them a percentage of whatever they took out. There was also something suspicious about some ads that were purchased in December. One of the ads stated that it was looking for a first mate on a boat. The second ad was placed on the romance male seeking female section. Both of this ads where placed on or about December 16, 2000. Around the time that Colleen friend had contacted her for the Christmas party which she stated she was in Key West with John and that everything was fine. Investigators where finally able to track down John Paul and where given a third story to the disappearance. According to John , they had a huge fight in December over money that Colleen owed him and that she had made no attempt to repay him. Investigators grew suspicion when they noticed he had become rather nervous and was not compassionate on the fact that the woman he loved was missing. Despite the unusual behavior officials had no option, but to let him go. There was no physical evidence that tied John to the disappearance of Colleen. It wasn't until later had they found out that John had violated his parole. By the time that they returned back to look for him John Paul was gone. He apparently left U.S. soil and hasn't stepped back since. He changed the name on his boat from Island Girl to Diamond girl. John Paul has not been named a suspect on the Colleen case, but officials would like to question him again. If you have any information on his whereabouts please contact For Lauderdale Police.
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