DuPage County investigators ask for public's help in locating St. Charles man

DuPage County Sheriff's detectives are again seeking the public's help into the disappearance of St. Charles resident John Spira, who has been missing since 2007.

"At the time of his disappearance, it is known that Spira was recruiting investors for business opportunities and start-up companies," the DuPage County Sheriff's Office said on Thursday in requesting the public's assistance.

The Sheriff's Office is requesting that anyone who invested money with Spira to contact Detective Dave Chiesa at 630-407-2364 or by email at david.chiesa@dupagesheriff.org

Spira, 45, was last seen Feb. 23, 2007, at Universal Cable Construction near West Chicago. Spira co-owned the company.

Spira's sister, Stephanie McNeil, believes that Spira was murdered.

"John taking off voluntarily is not within the realm of possibility," McNeil had previously said.

The case has gathered worldwide attention. Spira’s disappearance was featured in 2010 as part of the Investigation Discovery cable show, “Disappeared.” A fire in September 2007 totaled the Universal Cable Construction building.

On the day he went missing, Spira was scheduled to meet a friend for dinner in Oak Brook at 8:30 p.m., but he never showed up and was never heard from again. At the time of his disappearance, Spira was going through a divorce with his wife, Suzanne Spira. They had agreed to the terms of the divorce on the day of his disappearance.

In February 2009, Suzanne Spira told the Kane County Chronicle she had no idea what happened to her husband.

“I hope and pray for my husband’s safe appearance,” she said at the time.

Suzanne Spira was found dead in her Orchard Park, N.Y., apartment on Oct. 30, 2010. McNeil said she believes Suzanne Spira had knowledge about John Spira's disappearance.

"Whatever secrets she had, she took with her," McNeil had said.