Up and Vanished: Payne Finds Jon... Again – Detailed Summary

Released on May 15, 2025 by Tenderfoot TV

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Payne Finds Jon... Again," host Payne Lindsey delves deeper into the mysterious disappearance of Florence Okpealuk, an Alaska Native, by focusing on John Gurton—the last known person to see her alive. This episode captures Payne's relentless pursuit of the truth, highlighting the complexities and challenges of investigating cold cases in remote areas. Through a series of determined steps, Payne navigates through dead ends, unexpected interactions, and startling breakthroughs in his quest to uncover what truly happened to Florence.

Background

John Gurton, also referred to as Jon or John Girton in various instances, is a pivotal figure in the disappearance of Florence Okpealuk. Payne Lindsey initially discovered John under a fake identity on Facebook, which led to a series of elusive interactions. John possesses Florence's phone and personal items, making him a key person of interest in the case. However, his mysterious behavior and lack of cooperation have made it increasingly difficult for Payne to extract any substantial information.

Notable Quote:

"No matter how many different ways you look at Florence's case, it always, always goes back to John." – Payne Lindsey [02:22]

Payne's Attempts to Locate John

Payne's journey to find John begins with attempting to establish communication. His first approach involves reaching out via the phone number John provided, which frustratingly led to a blocked line and unhelpful responses.

Notable Quote:

"The number John gave me was blocked. Or a fax number. I don't know, but of course it was." – Payne Lindsey [03:53]

Undeterred, Payne contacts a local homeless shelter in Ketchikan, hoping to gather more information about John's whereabouts. During his call, he speaks with Ty, a shelter representative, who confirms that John is not currently a client.

Notable Quote:

"I can't give out any information if someone is staying with us or not. Just as a heads up." – Ty, Shelter Representative [04:25]

Payne then reaches out to the Ketchikan Police Department, only to find no records of John Gurton being in their system beyond an arrest for violating a restraining order on January 15, 2025. This dead end raises more questions about John's current status and his connection to the disappearance.

Notable Quote:

"John was arrested in Ketchikan. Currently out on bail." – Payne Lindsey [07:33]

Engaging a Process Server

Recognizing the difficulty in contacting John directly, Payne enlists the help of Clyde, a professional process server familiar with the local area. The plan is to have Clyde deliver a prepaid phone and a note to John in a manner that ensures he receives the message while maintaining safety and professionalism.

Notable Quote:

"I need to find a way to send a safe, professional person. A private investigator, a process server, somebody on my behalf to go to John's door, hand him a burner phone and tell him to call me." – Payne Lindsey [09:25]

Clyde takes action by purchasing a prepaid phone and adhering to Payne's instructions. However, Payne harbors concerns about the phone potentially being handed to someone other than John.

Notable Quote:

"You have to find a way to send a safe, professional person... Somebody on my behalf to go to John's door, hand him a burner phone and tell him to call me." – Payne Lindsey [09:25]

Discovery of John's Car

A breakthrough occurs when a listener from Ketchikan provides Payne with pictures and a video of what is believed to be John's car—a beat-up, white 1990s Subaru Outback. Payne works to confirm the authenticity and exact location of the vehicle.

Notable Quote:

"I sent her two pictures in a video." – Payne Lindsey [14:24] "It's white and it's looking like it's worse for wear and tear. And it's obvious that somebody is likely living in there." – John Gurton [14:27]

Through further investigation, Payne learns from another listener that John's car was spotted at a local McDonald's, providing a tangible lead in the search.

Confrontation at McDonald's

With renewed hope, Payne coordinates with Clyde, who arrives at the McDonald's to deliver the prepaid phone to John. The encounter is tense and filled with uncertainty. John initially claims to be someone named Ted, confusing Payne and Clyde, but eventually identifies himself as John Gurton.

Notable Quote:

"I was just driving by an early 90s Subaru Outback." – John Gurton [14:17] "You are a murderer. And I've got federal credentials..." – John Gurton [20:30]

During the interaction, John shares fragmented stories about being accused of murder, denying involvement, and discussing vague details about his past. The exchange leaves Payne with more questions than answers, emphasizing John's evasive nature.

Final Attempts for Clarity

Post-confrontation, Payne reflects on the interaction, listening to recordings of his conversations with John. Determined to push forward, he decides to make one last attempt to get John to speak openly.

Notable Quote:

"This is the closest I'd been to him in months." – Payne Lindsey [22:58]

Payne reaches out once more, engaging in a phone call where he directly questions John about the case. John remains non-committal, reiterating his innocence but providing little substantive information.

Notable Quote:

"I could not fathom how much it would take to even do something, let alone so cleanly." – John Gurton [24:16]

New Information

Towards the end of the episode, John brings up additional connections regarding another missing person, Joseph, and hints at his brother's involvement. This revelation suggests potential overlaps or broader connections within the series of disappearances Payne is investigating.

Notable Quote:

"My brother on my dad's side... I really think he knows something about the truck. Joseph's truck." – John Gurton [30:25]

Payne acknowledges this new lead, indicating that the investigation is expanding and more complexities are emerging.

Conclusion

As the episode concludes, Payne remains resolute in his mission to uncover the truth behind Florence Okpealuk's disappearance. Despite the myriad challenges and the enigmatic nature of John Gurton, Payne's dedication underscores the relentless pursuit of justice that defines the "Up and Vanished" series.

Final Thoughts:

"This isn't just about finding John. It's about finding out who John really is and what, if anything, he had to do with Flo's disappearance." – Payne Lindsey [30:25]

Payne also teases future developments, suggesting that the investigation is far from over and promising listeners further updates in upcoming episodes.

Key Takeaways

• Persistence in Pursuit: Payne Lindsey exemplifies determination in unraveling complex cold cases, even when faced with elusive suspects and limited information.

• Community Involvement: The episode highlights the importance of community support and listener contributions in advancing the investigation.

• Evolving Investigations: New leads and unexpected revelations can significantly alter the direction and scope of cold case investigations.

Stay Tuned: For more updates and future developments in the case of Florence Okpealuk, follow Payne Lindsey on Instagram @PayneLindsay and @UpAndVanished. The next episode promises to delve deeper into the mystery, uncovering new evidence and potentially shedding light on long-held secrets.