Justin Hooiman vanished on November 20, 2017, after planning to meet his mother for lunch. Despite years of searching, his family remains desperate for answers, believing the case may involve foul play.
Justin Hooiman, a 27-year-old construction worker from Salt Lake City, Utah, vanished without a trace on November 20, 2017. His disappearance has left his family shattered, fueling years of anguish and a relentless search for the truth.
Hooiman's last known communication was a phone call to his mother, Marilyn Stevenson, during his morning commute to work. They agreed to meet for lunch at a Chipotle restaurant, a plan that shattered when Hooiman failed to show up at the job site or the restaurant.
Utah Construction Worker's Mysterious Disappearance Haunts Family Years Later
As the hours turned into days, Stevenson grew increasingly concerned. She contacted the police, desperate for news of her son. An investigation ensued, but no solid leads emerged. Hooiman's credit card showed no recent activity, and his phone pinged for the last time near his home.
In March 2021, the case took a sinister turn when investigators reviewed information from a federal informant alleging Hooiman's murder. This new revelation brought a fresh wave of pain to the family, who had previously hoped he was still alive and suffering from amnesia or an injury.
Utah Construction Worker's Mysterious Disappearance Haunts Family Years Later
Hooiman's family, including his sister Misty Beaver, has traveled extensively to raise awareness about his disappearance and seek answers. They attended CrimeCon 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee, hoping to connect with others who have experienced similar tragedies.
Beaver described her brother as a kind and loving soul who had struggled with drug addiction in the past. She believes he was targeted by dangerous individuals during his stay at the Fortitude halfway house, where he was residing at the time of his disappearance.
Utah Construction Worker's Mysterious Disappearance Haunts Family Years Later
Private investigator Jason Jensen, hired by the family, is appealing to the public for information about Hooiman's time at Fortitude. He is particularly interested in hearing from anyone who encountered potential threats or suspicious activities at the halfway house during November 2017.
Hooiman's case remains unsolved, but his family refuses to give up hope. They believe someone knows what happened to him and are pleading for witnesses to come forward.
Utah Construction Worker's Mysterious Disappearance Haunts Family Years Later
"He's not some loser on the streets," Beaver said of her brother. "He matters, and I miss his hugs every single day of my life."
Anyone with information about Justin Hooiman's disappearance is urged to contact the Salt Lake City Police Department at 801-799-3454 or private investigator Jason Jensen at 801-759-2248. The family is determined to find closure and bring their loved one home.
