Missing Musician's Business Goes Up In Flames

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John Spira, a well-known local businessman and blues musician, known as "Chicago Johnny," has been missing for more than a year now.

John Spira, a well-known local businessman and blues musician, known as "Chicago Johnny," has been missing for more than a year now.

Authorities say the investigation into his disappearance has grown cold. However, seven months after he went missing in September 2007, the business Spira owned for more than a decade suddenly burned to the ground.

Additionally, a large missing person billboard hung by his family and friends across the street from the office a few days before the fire was torn down. The replacement sign, police say, was also forcibly removed.

Police Say They Have No Leads

Spira was last seen the evening of Friday 23, 2007, at his office in West Chicago Universal Cable Construction on 2N55 County Farm Road. He was wearing jeans, an olive green bomber jacket, black shoes, and a black shirt.

He apparently locked up his company's office as usual. His last cell phone call was made to a friend at 7pm discussing their plans for dinner that night. He failed to show up for the appointment, and also failed to show up for his band's performance the next night - the local blues group the Rabble Rousers. Spira, a devoted musician, hadn't missed a gig in nearly 30 years. His truck though remained parked at his office and his cell phone emitted signals until 11pm that night.

Spira and his estranged wife had just agreed on the final terms of the divorce that morning, but after he failed to show to these two events she filed a missing persons report.

The Search Continues

Family and friends have searched local parks and woods, and are hoping to search nearby waterways soon with the same company that helped with the Staci Peterson investigation - Aerial Image, Inc. A memorial event was just held at local blues music venue, the Kingston Mines, to mark the year anniversary of his disappearance. It was club that Spira first discovered his passion for blues.

Investigators at this point have few clues or leads to follow up on - which police say is the main problem with the case. Although the fire investigation team's results are still pending - with no evidence of foul play, it is being treated as a missing person's case. Family members, however, say that these new developments point towards foul play.

"His disappearance isn't normal," says Stephanie McNeil, Spira's sister. "Not a chance in hell. It's all related and connected."