San Francisco radio host Jeffrey Vandergrift, known on his show as JV, has been reported missing since Feb. 23, and now his wife Natasha Yi has given an update that has left fans and colleagues in the radio industry heartbroken.
Yi released a statement on Thursday, saying that personal information had been discovered that leads them to believe that JV will not be coming back. “I tell you this with incredible pain and sadness in my heart,” she wrote. Vandergrift has been battling Lyme Disease for the past two years, and he made on-air allusions to health problems just a week ago. “The body and the pain and all that stuff, I can handle. What it’s doing to my brain I could never describe to you,” he said then.
The San Francisco police have stated that no foul play is suspected in his disappearance, and have asked the family to keep details limited to immediate family only. Yi praised the police for their efforts, stating that JV officially remains missing according to the SFPD. She also thanked fans and the radio station for their support during this difficult time.
“JV and I have always considered this community part of our family, so I want to let you know that the amount of compassion for the physical torture JV has been going through for the past 2 years has been overwhelming,” Yi said in her statement.
Last year, Vandergrift posted about his struggle with Lyme Disease in a series of posts on the radio station’s website, outlining how he began to experience strange surges in his head in March 2021, and eventually, after his symptoms grew worse, was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in November 2021. Lyme Disease is an illness that spreads through tick bites and can cause a range of symptoms, including joint pain, fatigue, and memory problems.
The news of JV’s disappearance and his wife’s update has left fans and colleagues in shock and sadness. “I’m absolutely crushed to hear this news about my friend and colleague @JV, Yi’s co-host Graham “Hollywood” Bunn said on Twitter. “I’m praying for his wife and family.”
The radio station also released a statement, expressing its condolences and support for JV’s family. “We are heartbroken by the news of JV’s disappearance,” the statement read. “He is a beloved member of the iHeartRadio family and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family during this difficult time.”
The radio industry has been paying tribute to JV, with many expressing their admiration for his work and his kindness as a colleague. “JV is one of the nicest people in radio,” radio host Elvis Duran said on Twitter. “He always has a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. We are praying for his safe return and sending all our love to his family.”
The news of JV’s disappearance has left many concerned about his health and well-being. His battle with Lyme Disease has been difficult, and his on-air comments about what the disease is doing to his brain have left fans worried about his mental health. “I am worried about his brain,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “The effects of Lyme on the brain can be debilitating. I hope they find him soon and he gets the help he needs.”
As the search for JV continues, fans and colleagues are coming together to offer their support and prayers. The radio industry has lost a beloved member, and JV’s absence will be felt by many.
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Sources: WesternJournal, KTVU, Daily Mail