EDGEWATER — Friends of missing Opus Media CEO Dane Tidwell say they're worried about the man's mental state and have not heard from or seen him since he disappeared on his 40th birthday, Aug. 13.
Tidwell is white, 5-foot-11, 165 pounds with a cropped beard that has gray patches. He has hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a green V-neck shirt with cutoff jean shorts.
Gerald Farinas, a friend of Tidwell's, said on Aug. 13 around 11:30 a.m. Tidwell left his Uptown apartment he shared with his partner, Adam, before heading to Farinas' apartment in the 1000 block of West Granville Avenue in Edgewater, where he arrived around noon. Tidwell's friend explained what happened next in a statement:
"Using the front desk phone, he called to tell me he was downstairs.
Dane told me to call his partner Adam, and two other close friends, saying that they need my help and that he was leaving his phone. I rushed downstairs and he was gone. The front desk attendant handed me his phone."
Tidwell is without his phone, IDs and wallet, his friend said.
Linze Rice discusses Tidwell's disappearance:
Farinas said he was told to wait a short while before filing a police report, which was later done by Tidwell's partner and other friends.
He also said he and others believed Tidwell's disappearance to be "premeditated," stemming from "several personal issues" going on with Tidwell.
"We do believe that Dane is a threat to himself and needs help. We are fearful for his life," Farinas said.
Tidwell is the head of Opus Media, an LGBT news organization formerly known as Chicago Phoenix.
Farinas said that he and others believe in the days leading up to Tidwell's disappareance, Tidwell "faced an intensifying sense of hopelessness and most likely worked hard to hide it — as he most likely did throughout his life."
As Tidwell's picture continues to be shared throughout Chicago, Farinas said he hopes he will be found, and is thankful for the outpouring of support from the community thus far.
"We also want to thank those who walked the streets and alleys, knocked on doors, circulated photographs, and shared information of Dane’s physical description with others," he said.
Officer Jose Estrada, a News Affairs spokesman, said a missing persons report was filed for Tidwell, of the 4800 block of N. Magnolia, on Aug. 16 around 9 a.m.
Farinas is asking people to call or email him if they have any information, and to reach him at gfarinas@gmail.com or 312-350-1200.
Chicago Police can also be reached at 312-744-8263.
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