Utah family still looking for clues in disappearance of son in 2017
Dec 8, 2021, 6:15 PM | Updated: Dec 9, 2021, 11:14 am
SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah family is pleading for any information people may have on the disappearance of their son and brother.
Justin Hooiman has been missing since 2017 and his family has worked to keep his case in the spotlight and gather any new clues.
Hooiman’s family gathered at the public safety building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, one day after his 32nd birthday.
“Please, if anyone knows any information,” his mother Maryland Stevenson said through tears. It’s been four years since she last saw her son.
Have you seen #JustinHooiman ?
He was supposed to meet his mom for lunch in December 2017, but he never showed. He’s been missing since.
He is from Cottonwood Heights and was on the soccer team that won state at Jordan High School. #ksltv #missingperson pic.twitter.com/wlVHTjry89
— Morgan Wolfe (@MorganWolfeKSL) December 8, 2021
He was a stand-out soccer player at Jordan high school where he ended up shattering his ankle.
A doctor prescribed him oxycontin according to his family. That’s when his opioid addiction started and continued into his 20s.
He ended up serving six months in prison. Once he was released, he stayed at Fortitude Treatment Center in Salt Lake City where he was required to check in and out.
One day he never came back. No one has heard from him since.
“Calling constantly, every time a body’s found, wondering if he matches my brother. It’s a hard thing to do,” said his emotional sister Misty Beaver.
According to Justin’s family, police believe his disappearance is suspicious and they are investigating it as a possible homicide case.