Mike F. Strong

Authorities believe that a Tennessee teen who has been missing for nearly two years is in grave danger. To make matters worse, the police believe she was abducted and is being held against her will by her own father!

In October of 2019, Daphne Westbrook failed to return home from a weekend visit with her father, John Oliver Westbrook, and authorities have yet to track them down. Authorities in Tennessee believe Daphne was kidnapped by her father and that the teen may be at “serious risk of physical and emotional danger” and are pleading with the public for help in finding her.

They believe that the then 17-year-old Daphne Westbrook was abducted by the elder  Westbrook around 18 months ago and that she is being held “against her will” and is “unable to communicate with the outside world,” according to a statement released to the press by the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office.

“She is prevented from leaving,” Melydia Clewell, chief of staff for the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office, told the press. Clewell believes the teen is being “isolated” and is “not allowed to see anyone from the outside world.”

Daphne disappeared along with her dogs, Fern and Strawberry, from Chattanooga after a weekend visit with her dad in October 2019. John Oliver Westbrook is a cybersecurity expert, and detectives believe it is his IT skills that are helping to foil their attempts to find and rescue Daphne. The DA’s office said, “He is communicating in a way that’s almost impossible to trace, which makes it extremely difficult for investigators to generate significant leads in this case.”

FBI profilers say that John fancies himself to be some kind of a real-life Jason Bourne, drawing from the fictional movie character’s ability to stay one step ahead of authorities. He’s even referred to himself as “Oscar Bourne,” according to authorities.

“In some respects, it seems like it’s all a game to him,” investigators said.

Authorities do know a few details about the father’s life on the run, including that he is likely making money as an independent contractor. We know he’s generating money through contract work with small businesses who would need computer security, any of that high-tech (services) like blockchain or Bitcoin technology. That’s what he’s doing, and so that’s a very narrow market,” District Attorney Clewell said. 

She described the Tennessee father as “odd” and “someone who would stick out because of his physical looks and his behavior.”

Tips, Sightings, and Leads

Despite his skills at evasion, there have been clues to the pair’s whereabouts. In February, police discovered Daphne’s Bible in a trash can outside of a Trader Joe’s in New Mexico. They said John has also been seen frequently shopping in Santa Fe stores and believe he had lived in New Mexico for at least some period of time.

Daphne has also been seen in the Denver area, and it’s believed that last month, John spent several weeks in Pueblo, Colorado.

“Daphne is increasingly at serious risk of physical and emotional danger, and we need your help to find her,” authorities said. 

Clewell said it’s possible John might also seek refuge with family members living in Auburn, Washington, Chico, California, or central Florida.

Prosecutors believe John, who has been indicted by a grand jury for aggravated kidnapping, may have made attempts to alter his appearance and that of his daughter by using hair dye and false teeth.

The DA believes that Daphne’s compliance is being forced, and she is being “kept in a state of intoxication” through the use of drugs or alcohol.

Daphne’s mom, Rhona Curtsinger, told local station WDEF that she has been heartbroken by her daughter’s disappearance.

“She has been taken away from everyone she knew; her friends, everything. All just gone. Vanished, and I don’t have words for that,” Curtsinger said. “The things that we have learned are very scary and very disturbing. We are just so eager to find her so that we can get her help.”

Investigators have urged anyone with information about the case to contact the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office in Tennessee at 1-423-209-7415 or send tips to [email protected].