Zachary D. Pittman -- Deceased 6/25/09

Have You Seen This Man? Family Pleads For Help In Finding Him?

by Jan Barrett, Editor - BNN 6-20-10



This coming Thursday, June 24th will make one full year since 26 year old Zachary D. Pittman disappeared. Zachary was born November 29, 1983. According to reports given he was last seen at his home at 35333 Mockingbird Loop after a dispute from a member of his family in Pearl River, Louisiana on June 24th 2009.

Zachary should be easy to identify by the tattoos he has on his right shoulder and forearm which are said to be of the names of his children. He stands approximately 5 ft 10 in tall and was last seen wearing his hair close cut and he had a goatee. He was believed to have been wearing camouflage shorts with a dark colored T-shirt, either black or blue and it was said he had on a pair of flip flops.

Sad as it may be, the police claim that they do not have any reason to believe that foul play was involved. The family is aware that the possibility of Zachary no longer being with us is very likely. They do not think he just left town to never come back because he would never have left his daughter, who is 3 years old now and step-daughter, who is 4, behind. He also was very close to his mother. She said that he called her everyday and when he didn’t call her was there at her home.

Zachary’s mother, Christy Ragas, has posted large signs all over the area where he was last seen. She has been working hard to get help in finding her son as much today as she was when he first disappeared. My husband and I talked to Christy this morning and we were told the story about what happened in her words, and she shared her thoughts about what could have happened. She is rightfully frustrated by always coming to a dead end when she gets leads or being told that everything is being done that can be, yet her son has still not been found.

Read more: http://www.bloggernews.net/124738

This is the official Missing Persons Poster from St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, Slidell, LA:



http://www.stpso.org/missing.php?id=9&start=0

"Zachay Pittman - Some Information Surfaces"

Posted on June 21st, 2010 by Simon Barrett, Editor - BNN

We mentioned this Missing Person case briefly on yesterdays radio program (listen here), Jan also put up an article about the case (read about Zach).

In a nutshell Zach Pittman, a 26 year old man left his home at approximately 11pm on June.24 2009. He has not been seen since. What smells bad in this case is that Zach Pittman lived in a rural area, he had no money, no cell phone, no Drivers License, and no access to a car.

This case received no media attention at the time it happened. Why? That was the question that was running through my mind as Jan and I were talking to his mother Christy Ragas. I do not want to make light of what was a very emotional call, but what kept popping into my mind was that amusing GEICO Insurance advert that runs seemingly every hour on TV. The setting is the Board Room, and a well dressed executive offers the comment “Well if I was a cute little lizard with an English accent I could sell more”.

That statement sums up the world of missing people quite well. If the person missing is a young Caucasian female, the press is all over the case. With that press attention comes the attention of the public. I can cite many cases, Jon Benet Ramsey, Caylee Anthony, Haleigh Cummings, these just touch the very tip. The country falls in love with these dear little girls and a press feeding frenzy ensues.

That same reaction does not occur when the missing child is male and has a learning disability. Adji Desir deserves as much attention as everyone else.

Zach Pittman received almost no attention at all. As best I can see he received a scant paragraph in the Times Picayune, and the same paragraph in the Slidell newspaper.

No Nancy Grace for Zach, just a rather chintzy passing mention. In fact even the brief mention has a story behind it. Originally one of the publications wanted to charge $80 to publish it!

Zach Pittman’s mother is firmly convinced that her son is dead. Off the record, she has been told the same things by the police. Christy Ragas is a lady that has her feet firmly planted on the ground. She openly admits that her son was not a saint, he had skirmishes with the law, he also had dipped into the drug world, but he was a good father. Not only was he providing for his biological daughter, but one that his girlfriend also had.

Read more: http://www.bloggernews.net/124747

Missing Person Case - Zachary Pittman - From A Mother's Point of View

Posted on July 7th, 2010 by Jan Barrett in Op-ed, crimeRead

On June 24, 2009 Christy Ragas received a phone call from her 26 year old son, Zachary Pittman. Little did she know this would be the last time she would ever hear from him again.

Now I know a father has pain when he loses a child, but a mother has more than just pain. A mother that has carried a child from the moment of conception to the minute they are born into this world, knows this child better than anyone else could ever dream of. Please don’t for one second think I am saying a father doesn’t have pain, I am only saying that a mother’s feelings are so different.

My case of course was different from Christy’s but when I had to bury my twin boys (they were born pre-mature) a part of me was buried with them. This was 28 years ago and I still have that feeling of emptiness inside me and even though not too many others understood why I couldn’t just move on, I would cry at night and walk the floor as the years passed by and when I have time alone I still cry for them. I had two other children after this and I love them dearly but I still grieve for my twin boys.

My point in bringing this up is because I grieve for two babies that I never had a chance to hold or cuddle with. I was cheated out of my right as a mother to raise the boys. Maybe this is why this case hit me so close to my heart. When I heard of the pleas from Christy needing help in finding her son Zach, my heart reached out to her. She is going through the kind of pain that I would not wish on my worse enemy.

Christy has lost her son. She looks at her granddaughter (Zachary’s daughter) who doesn’t understand where her Daddy is and I am sure she hurts even more. Christy knew her son better than anyone else. He trusted her to tell her everything that he did. He knew there was nothing he couldn’t talk to her about, no matter what the subject was. She had an awesome relationship with Zach and she knows he would never have walked away from her and his children. The first thing everyone wanted to know was if he was on drugs.

Read more: http://www.bloggernews.net/124860

They are right about Zach not getting any coverage, I was not aware of him missing. What about the dispute with a family member comment? To go missing in the middle of nowhere with nothing on him suggests foul play to me. I hope getting the media coverage out there will help find out what's happened to him. Thanks Ann.

The police often don't suspect foul play when they should. I wish we had more information available on this case. Have they ever said what family member Zachary had a dispute with and who witnessed the dispute?

~Snipped~

What happened on June/24, 2009 remains a mystery. There are some theories, and some of them are giving me pause for thought. It has been said that two days before his disappearance he had a fight with the son of someone holding an elected position in the area. Is that relevant? I don’t know. What I do know is that we have a case that needs to get some attention.

http://www.bloggernews.net/124747

Here is a link to the Missing Zachary Pittman Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001240977250&v=wall

Piper wrote:They are right about Zach not getting any coverage, I was not aware of him missing. What about the dispute with a family member comment? To go missing in the middle of nowhere with nothing on him suggests foul play to me. I hope getting the media coverage out there will help find out what's happened to him. Thanks Ann.

Hi, Piper!
Christy Ragas, Zach's mom, turned to Jan and Simon Barrett for assistance in getting law enforcement to investigate her son's case. Jan and/or Simon wrote over 20 articles ......you can see how all of this unfolded. I have about 20 or more links in chronological order. I used these in my recent efforts with main stream media in New Orleans, La. So far I have one 'No.' However this particular station will cover it when the case breaks! Christy wants and need media coverage now.

Later tonight I will PM Sanz with a "letter" I used in my media efforts for Christy. Maybe Sanz can suggest a way to put up the Links to the articles. After reading all of them, I assure you all will know all there is to know about this case to date.

So we are all on the same page, I've been working closely with Jan Barrett and Christy Ragas. They are copied on everything I send to media and Louisiana political officials.

I think this is a perfect story for 48 Hours Mystery. Next week I'll start an effort with them.

Thank you for your interest in this case. Christy will be most appreciative of your interest in her son's case.

Snaz wrote:

Thanks, Snaz, for posting the poster!

Justice4all wrote:~Snipped~

What happened on June/24, 2009 remains a mystery. There are some theories, and some of them are giving me pause for thought. It has been said that two days before his disappearance he had a fight with the son of someone holding an elected position in the area. Is that relevant? I don’t know. What I do know is that we have a case that needs to get some attention.

http://www.bloggernews.net/124747

Small town, rural area, elected official.......a nationwide focus might start making people squirm, and talk.......

Justice4all wrote:The police often don't suspect foul play when they should. I wish we had more information available on this case. Have they ever said what family member Zachary had a dispute with and who witnessed the dispute?

Hi, Justice! Zachary had an argument with his sister. The last person to see Zachary was his girlfriend. She told LE that Zachary just walked out of the back patio doors and disappeared. The home is in a very rural area with swamps nearby. Simon Barrett and Christy Ragas went to various areas nearby on July 3, 2010 and Simon took some pictures. He included some of the pictures in one of the articles.

A few weeks after Zach disappeared, the girlfriend moved in with another man. Two days before Zach disappeared, he had a fight with the son of the Mayor of Pearl River, La. ....Mayor James Lavigne.

Justice, when I finish commenting here, I will PM you and Sanz a very informative media letter I've been using in my efforts with main stream media. Perhaps you and Sanz can decide how links could be posted. It's like watching the mystery surrounding this case unfold. I think those interested in this case would be interested in all of the articles. Just my opinion!

Ann, I applaud your efforts and I'm sure Christy is so very thankful. I can't imagine her pain. I hope you are successful with a 48 Hours story, may be exactly what's needed right now.

Ann, you are to be commended for all your efforts in helping Christy get some answers. I'm sure she appreciates everything you do. I know I would if I were in her shoes.

Piper wrote:Ann, I applaud your efforts and I'm sure Christy is so very thankful. I can't imagine her pain. I hope you are successful with a 48 Hours story, may be exactly what's needed right now.

Thank you, Piper!

Christy is a very appreciative, grateful person. Her strength and determination in finding her son, Zach (as she calls her son), is remarkable. Christy has done a tremendous amount of work on her beloved, Zach's case.

She organized a search with cadaver dogs a few weeks ago and it had to be cancelled due to heavy rains in the area. She was very disappointed. It is my understanding another cadaver dog search is being organized and is expected to take place soon.

I would never want to be a member of this club Christy became a member of . . . . . the mother of a missing child (Zachary will always be her child).

I am honored to be of assistance to Christy and Jan Barrett, Editor - BNN. I hope there is a break in Zach's case soon. Per Christy, today is 61 weeks that Zach went "missing"!

My prayers and thoughts are with Christy and Zach's family!

I think this would be an excellent story for 48 Hours Mystery to cover!

Ann - I also think you are to be commended for all you are doing on Zachary's case as well as all you did on Eric's case. It blows my mind how much you do to help the families of these victims. You also told me about the charity work you have done and that you have coming up. I hope you post a little something about that here, (or on Caylee's shoes thread) because when you compare all that you do to Cindy Anthony donating a pair of Caylee's shoes, it's like comparing a dust particle to the entire universe! Keep up the great work Ann!

When I spoke to Christy Ragas, Zachary (Zach) Pittman's mother, Friday night, she asked me to convey to all on Reality Chatter her appreciation for your support in her efforts to find her son and bring him home.

Christy said she appreciates and is grateful that Reality Chatter allowed this thread to be put up on Zachary because he needs all of the exposure he can get. She thinks the thread is beautiful and is so glad that pictures of her beloved son, Zach, are posted on this thread.

Christy asked me to post this comment that she made last night on BNN's most recent thread:

cchristyra said,in August 26th, 2010 at 11:14 pm

Hi to everyone, I am Zachary Pittmans mother Christy, I just want to say I am very upset that people would accuse Jan and Simon of profiting off stories they have written. I know for sure that they never made a dime off any stories on Zachary.If it wasn't for them my sons name still would be unnoticed. I know for a fact that Simon reads books and does reviews on those and dvds for a living. I have seen a lot of the books he has read! And that was only a small amount that I did see. Jan and Simon are one of the nicest couples I have ever met, they would do anything to help someone in need, I know. God Bless them for bringing them into my life, I love you guys! Hang in there and keep your chin up, you have nothing to prove to those bozos.

Julie wrote:Ann - I also think you are to be commended for all you are doing on Zachary's case as well as all you did on Eric's case. It blows my mind how much you do to help the families of these victims. You also told me about the charity work you have done and that you have coming up. I hope you post a little something about that here, (or on Caylee's shoes thread) because when you compare all that you do to Cindy Anthony donating a pair of Caylee's shoes, it's like comparing a dust particle to the entire universe! Keep up the great work Ann!

Thank you, Julie! I expect nothing except I hope that Zachary is found real soon. It has been over one year and this is taking a toll on Christy, Zachary's mom.

If I have time tomorrow, I'll try to post on the Caylee shoe thread.

The Zachary Pittman case is over one year old. Main stream media is not covering this case. In October, 2009, there was a picture of Zachary with a few lines stating he is missing, in a local (near Pearl River, La) newspaper.

Christy Ragas, Zachary's mother, met with Simon and Jan Barrett a few months ago in an effort to get them to cover the story on Zachary. They agreed. Simon and Jan have written over 20 articles and have featured this case on their Sunday Radio Show since they decided to cover this case.

On occasion, Christy is a call-in guest to the Radio Show. There has not been much in the way of updates. The latest update from two weeks ago is that Cory Crowe, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office (STPSO), Slidell, La. is no longer the lead detective on Zach's case. His case has been assigned to a new detective who is interested in Zach's case and is motivated.

This past Thursday, Christy, a family member, and Zach's father had a meeting with STPSO. Christy is unable to disclose any info regarding that meeting which is understandable because this case is under investigation.

Whatever info (and it is not much) Christy can disclose, she discloses to Simon and Jan Barrett and hope they write an article so it will keep Zach's name out there.

In case some of you may be wondering why I am only posting articles from BNN. . . . . they are the only ones covering Zach's case. One of the main stream media (TV station) in New Orleans, La. has indicated to me when the case breaks, they will cover it then. Very nice of them but Christy said Zach's case needs media attention now! She feels there is someone out there that knows something! Media attention might cause them to come forward with info on Zach's case.

There are several media sources (TV stations and newspaper) in New Orleans, LA, that are currently reviewing the request to cover Zach's story. Christy, Jan Barrett and I are remaining hopeful, with a positive attitude, that at least one media outlet will pick up this story. All we need is one to cover it. All media outlets would be ideal though. Based on my experience and this case, I am a realist and realize all main stream media outlets will not cover this story at this time.

We have other ideas regarding media coverage and if we could get just one TV station to cover Zach's story, it will pave the way for our other media plans.

For your information, Christy, Zach's mother, believes that her son is dead. It has been over one year and she desperately wants to find her son and bring him home for a proper burial.

After that is done, then she will seek justice for her son, Zach!

If any of you are on Facebook or other social sites, please post Zachary's poster. I see Justice4all posted the Link up-thread and Snaz posted a picture of Zach's Facebook poster. I assure you Christy Ragas will be very appreciative and grateful to you . . . . for any help you can provide!