It was almost a year ago that I first heard the name Zachary Pittman. It was through a friend of Zach’s mother that we heard the story. You can find our initial report here. And a follow up here
Both Jan and I are concerned about missing people in general, but this one was right on our door step. Pearl River is only a short drive from where we live.
Mother Christy Ragas was at the end of her rope. No-one seemed to care. The police had all but called the case cold. But nothing made sense, the press had ignored the case, no-one cared. No-one would even talk to her!
It is easy to understand the reasons why she was distraught. I would be, a son missing, and no-one cares.
Jan and I did what we could to assist, but we are writers rather than investigators. Investigating by the telephone (my usual weapon) was not getting us anywhere. On a sleepy Sunday afternoon Christ Ragas, Myself, and BNN’s official photographer (name withheld), took a tour of the town of Pearl River. We spoke with a few people. We drove around the area that he was last seen, we even even ventured into the ever present swamps in the area. I am by no means anacrophobic, but there were some big spiders! Pointing out to me the new piles of Gator Poo did little to calm me down. This was a place that I did not want to be in. If the remains of Zachary Pittman resided here, I could see no chance of them ever being found.
Things changed over the past weekend. Some human remains were found in the Pearl River area. There were also some clothing remnants found.
A call to the Police Chief of Pearl River, Bennie Raynor added some information. The remains were found outside of the city limits, so his department had no direct involvement. However, he did verify that he had received information that human remains had been found over the weekend, and that for a period of time the Sheriffs had closed off a section of a road to the North East of Pearl River.
Today it was revealed that based on dental records, the remains found are most likely those of Zachary Pittman. DNA tests are underway to confirm it.
Mother Christy Ragas is heading back to Pearl River. Hopefully she will get some answers. I guess that dusty cold case file just got dusted off?
Here is a question for you all. It is being rumored that the gentleman who found Zach was someone that we spoke to on our tour of the area, coincidence?
Simon Barrett
17 users commented in " Zachary Pittman – Sad News "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackWow,,,,,,,,I followed this story here and was on facebook. I feel bad for his mother. It’s no consolation to find him but it must help at least that part of it. Bless you Christy
Christy, I am so very sorry for your loss. I am grateful you are able to bring Zach home and I pray you will find answers. God be with you and all of your family. May God hold Zachary in his loving arms eternally.
Thank you Simon and Jan for caring and for updating us all on Zachary.
Thank you for this article, Simon.
Christy is grateful to you and Jan for bringing attention to this story in 2010. As we know, there was very limited media coverage on the “disappearance” of Zachary Pittman.
You and Jan did a great job of writing articles regarding the “disappearance” of Zachary Pittman and featuring his case on your Sunday Radio Show. I remember the times when you had Christy Ragas as a guest.
If it were not for you and Jan, very few would have known about the “disappearance” of Zachary Pittman.
As this case unfolds, I hope that you and Jan will cover this story.
Zachary Pittman’s story needs to be told. Simon, you have a “way” of uncovering all kinds of details! You can bring us details that main stream media can not write about!
Once again, special thanks to you and Jan for all you did in bringing attention to Zachary’s case starting in 2010.
~ ~ ~ Justice for Zachary Pittman! ~ ~ ~
To:
Christy Ragas and the Family of Zachary Pittman
I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your son and loved one, Zach.
Christy, I know it seems like it has been an eternity but you can now bring Zach home. It was your goal and determination to find Zach so that you could bring him home.
I am sad that you have lost your beloved son, Christy, but I am happy that he has been found. It has been almost two years.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
May God bless all of you!
With heartfelt sympathy,
Ann-Tx
~ ~ ~ Rest in Peace, Zachary Pittman! ~ ~ ~
Simon and Jan thank you for this info.I remember Christy felt her son had passed and needed to bring him home. I thank God that now she can can finally put him to rest properly. I now pray that Christy will get the justice for her son he deserves. I know it will not bring him back but it would be comforting to know that the person who did this wont be walking round free.
Rest in peace Zachary. Christy my heart and prayers are with you and your family.
Thanks for giving the update in Zachary’s case, even though it is tragic. Christy, you became a part of this BNN family and we will continue to pray for your family. Zachary lives on in his beautiful child. I am truly sorry for the loss of this son, this father, this friend. He will always be remembered and forever missed. Rest in peace Zachary!
I am deeply sorry for Zach’s family and pray that they find answers and justice. Don’t stop fighting for it!!!!! He was person, he had a life and this shouldn’t be swept under rug!!
also since there is a body now can the FBI get involved? An outside source other than local authorities. Demand answers, put on the pressure from the media. Dateline, CNN Nancy Grace,etc.
Prayers for the family, his daughter deserved to know were her father was. Justice will be served? We can only hope. Thank you Simon and Jan for giving us this news. Doubt we would have heard anything about this case otherwise.
So happy to hear that he was found. Now his daughter will never have to wonder whether or not he walked out and disappeared. Let’s hope this was some awful accident and not something more sinister.
Have they released whether there was foul play involved in this death yet???? I know we will be told whenever there is news so I will be checking in for more news. I hope this gets solved for the sake of his family. jmo
Ive followed this story since simon brought it to light. How tragic, my thoughts are with Mr. Pittmans family, god bless them.
So sad, I am praying for his family and thanking God for bring his mom peace. She will still need answers but this is the biggest part of that. I’ve been so busy this week I didn’t see that he’d been found right away. Thank you Jan and Simon for stepping up to the plate and getting answers. It would have been a case that slipped thru the cracks and because you poked and proded there are answers. You touched someones heart to find him. God Bless you both because you make a difference and made someones heart better.
Dreamfinder, are you the person that designed the beautiful Zachary “Missing Person” flyer/poster for Christy?
Hi, Jan & Simon!
I know the majority of Sunday’s Radio Show will probably be about the Casey Anthony case.
I hope at least a small part of it can be dedicated to the mention of Zachary Pittman.
Both of you made us aware of this case in 2010.
If you recall, there was almost no main stream media coverage of this case.
In my opinion, BNN made many folks aware of the case of Zachary Pittman.
Thank you, Jan and Simon, for following through with this case. If it hadn’t been for you, I would have probably never known about Zach and I’m in the same Metro area! Thank you for bringing his story to our attention and thanking you for sharing the latest, albeit, sad news. I hope Christy and her family can now have some sense of closure after two long years of desperately searching. I pray they get some answers, although sadly, they may not. Finally, she can lay her son to rest properly. Rest in peace, Zachary.
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