Elmhurst Missing Person Case Draws Airline's Comment

ELMHURST, IL — United Airlines is addressing the Elmhurst Police Department's statement that a missing United executive is under criminal investigation. On Wednesday, United for Business, a part of United Airlines, issued a mass email about the disappearance of Jake Cefolia, 49, the senior vice president of worldwide sales.

The email stated the airline has continued to stay in close touch with police agencies that have conducted searches in Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Lemont, where authorities say Cefolia's car was found. The airline, the email said, is ready to provide any information and assistance that police need.

"We are aware of recent online reporting that suggests law enforcement activity prior to Jake's disappearance," the email said. "We don't have access to information to confirm those reports, but it's important to understand these reports haven't changed our commitment to cooperating with the law enforcement agencies leading the effort to find Jake."

The airline said it has also stayed in close contact with Cefolia's family.

"While we know many of you are deeply concerned about their well-being, we kindly ask that you continue to respect the family's desire for privacy at this time," the email said.

The email was signed by United Airlines executives Marcel Fuchs and Glenn Hollister.

On Tuesday, the Elmhurst city government acknowledged to Patch that Cefolia has been under criminal investigation since before he went missing, but provided no other details. Elmhurst police have issued no photo of Cefolia or an announcement that he is missing. Photos are circulating online, though.

Surveillance footage of Cefolia at a gas station was recorded after he disappeared but before his car was found Aug. 8, said David Pederson, police chief for the DuPage County Forest Preserve District. The car was found on the shoulder of a road in the 2,500-acre Waterfall Glen preserve, he said. Cefolia was said to like running there.

The case received a burst of media attention a couple of weeks ago, but has gone mostly quiet since then.