Missing Jenny's bank account emptied

Brian Lashley

February 04, 2006

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VANISHED: Jenny Pope

THE shattered family of missing backpack mum Jenny Pope spoke of their agony after it emerged her bank account has been emptied.

Police revealed a total of '2,500 had been taken out of Mrs Pope's account in a series of withdrawals in South America over seven days.

It is not known if the 50-year-old nurse - who has vanished on a solo backpacking holiday - withdrew the money herself or if someone else has gained access to her account.

Husband David Pope, 57, from Mossley, admitted he was struggling to deal with the strain as he anxiously awaits news of his wife. He said: "I don't know how I'm coping.

"I'm very, very concerned but I'm convinced there could be a perfectly reasonable explanation for it."

Regular

His wife set off for her "trip of a lifetime" around South America in September last year after taking six months off her job as a nurse at Lockside Medical Centre in Stalybridge.

She kept in regular contact with her husband and 22-year-old son Stefan as she travelled alone through Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, by sending e-mails and posting messages on a personal internet site.

Her last e-mail was sent from the town of Banos, a mountain town in the Andes of Ecuador, on January 9.

It said she was nearing the end of her journey and expected to return home on February 20, earlier than she originally planned, after a final trip up the Amazon.

She wrote: 'I think I might be getting a bit travel weary now and I'm missing you all and the weather (believe it or not), and lots of little things.'

Mrs Pope has not been heard from since and no new messages have been posted on the internet.

Robbers

Throughout her journey, she Mrs Pope withdrew only 20 US dollars a day for spending money to prevent her becoming a target for robbers. But analysis of her bank account has revealed a series of withdrawals of up to 200 US dollars which started the day after she last contacted her family.

The equivalent of '2,500 was taken out of the account over one week and the account was closed down after it exceeded its '1,500 overdraft limit.

Her son Stefan said: 'Our best hope really is that she has just lost the money and is oblivious to it. Maybe we will end up looking foolish for making such a big fuss out of it.
He added: 'Yesterday I cried the most, cried for as long as I can remember.'

His father said: 'I don't know how I'm coping but I'm coping. I just keep falling forwards and not falling over.

Distraught

'The whole family is totally distraught by her lack of contact with us. One minute we hear something positive, the next we fear the worst. We need to know what has happened to her.'

Mr Pope said his wife was 'fiercely independent' and had been determined to see new parts of the world when her son grew up.

The Foreign Office is in contact with police in Ecuador over Mrs Pope's disappearance and posters have been put up around Banos, where she last communicated with her family.

Det Supt Kevin Duffy, of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'I would appeal for anyone who may have met Jenny during her travels to contact us.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact 0161 856 9252.

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COLIN HOWARD, BURIRAM THAILAND (04/02/2006 at 23:06)

MY HEART GO,S OUT TO THIS FOOLISH LADYS FAMILY ,BUT TRAVEL ALONE IN S AMERICA?,SORRY BUT THIS WAS VERY POOR JUDGEMENT ON HER BEHALF ,I JUST HOPE SHE TURNS UP ,POORER BUT WISER .

Winston Ifill, Maryland USA (05/02/2006 at 04:37)

I pray that all is well with Ms. Pope, but on reflection, I must say too many Europeans set off to these South American countries with very little knowledge of the people and their every day habits. This could only spell danger, its dangerous for a man, much more a lady.
I must ask, regardless of how independent Ms. Pope were, what would make her leave her family to go off to these hell holes? not trying to be negative in any way, but is she crazy. Here is a lady with a hasband and son, in full time employment and give this up to travel around South America, it just don't make sense to me.
I hope Ms. Pope is safe and just having a bad time in communicating, but my gut feeling tells me she is in a bit of trouble either willing or unwilling. In the mean time I pray for her family sake that all is well and both hasband and son soon be united with their love one.
Concern Reader.

Anonoymous, Oldham (05/02/2006 at 23:55)

My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.

Samba Musivians, Manchester (06/02/2006 at 16:54)

I think I can speak for everyone on the samba scene who has met Jenny, Stefan or Dave Pope, when I say that we are all thinking of you all.

The samba bands of Manchester will be busking this weekend to raise awareness for the appeal.

Samba Musicians, Manchester (06/02/2006 at 16:58)

I can speak for everybody in the Manchester Circle when I say that we are all thinking of Stefan and Dave and his family, in what must be a very difficult time for them.

The Samba Bands of Gtr Manchester will be busking in Manchester on Saturday outside Marks & Spencer to raise awareness for the appeal. Please come along and help iof you can.

Ms D, Manchester (07/02/2006 at 08:26)

I do hope Mrs Pope is OK but to me, it's looking bleak. I think everyone should be able to travel alone and be safe but the world isn't like that. I would never undertake such a journey unless I was with a group.

a neighbour, mossley (07/02/2006 at 10:25)

After reading other comments, I feel I must applaud Jenny in her independance. She is a wonderful person who cares greatly about everyone she knows. She is a very strong person who most definately would have taken the time to understand each and every country she travelled to and person she met along the way. She may have left her family to go on this journey, but her heart would have been always at home, anyone who knows Jenny would echo that thought!! Jenny and Dave are one of the nicest couples you could hope to meet and Stefan is a credit to them... I sincerely hope things turn out well and Jenny is home soon xxxx

Gina - sandra. Lockisde MC, Stalybridge (08/02/2006 at 14:03)

I have to beg to differ on anyone commenting on any person when you don't know them. We think it is insensitive under the present circumstances to write what has been written on some of the e-mails as you have to respect the feelings of the family and friends concerned. We have worked alongside Jenny for many years and she is a gutsy, feisty, intelligent lady who doesn't go into anything lightly. All our thoughts and best wishes from the Practice are with Dave and Stefan.

Mossley resident, Mossley (08/02/2006 at 20:25)

I feel that some of the negative comments that have been made are an insult to Jenny and her family. I only know her slightly but know her to be confident and capable and intelligent enough to have researched and planned her trip thoroughly. It is so easy to be wise with the benefit of hindsight, but people have been mugged for their cash and credit cards in the UK. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. In spite of everything I pray that she will be found safely.

christine, stalybridge (09/02/2006 at 12:22)

sorry to hear that jenny is missing , hope they find her real soon , god bless i am praying for you all
christine

Anon, Anon (10/02/2006 at 12:29)

Firstly, complete sympathies to the family. However, I fear the worst for her. Ecuador is actually supposed to be fairly safe and the people, in the main, lovely. What I find very impossible to understand is why some of the the family is not out there now (if they are-apologies, but the stories don't suggets they are). I wouldn't care what the police said, I would be out there like a flash. You can cry but better to be doing something than waitingfor a phonecall.

As for the American comment - it shows a complete lack of understanding. People have needs - Jenny obviously wanted to go out there and good luck to her. Now she needs her family to be out there looking for her.

anon, middleton (10/02/2006 at 21:39)

i am disgusted with some of the comments on here. it seems people are too quick to judge and blame. i do not, in any way, see jenny's decision to go travelling alone as foolish. it was obviously something she dreamed of doing, or she wouldnt have done it. if we all based our lives on whether or not we could bump into trouble of harm, we would not walk out of our front doors. i hope she returns back safely and my thoughts are with her family and friends.

Helen, Sheffield (15/02/2006 at 13:25)

To those people criticising Jenny Pope for her travels - shame on you. South America is a beautiful continent full of interesting and friendly people and is no more dangerous than most cities in the UK. Don't criticise someone for trying something you are too scared to do. Travelling alone can be a wonderful, enlightening experience and I applaud anyone who has the guts to do it. Thousands of people do it safely every year. To Jenny's family - my thoughts are with you and I wish for a happy resolution. Stay strong.

Samba Jedi, Mossley (21/02/2006 at 11:14)

Why must people leave such negative comments in such times? Why shouldnt a woman go travelling alone, it wasn't done on a whim and no doubt lots of planning went into this trip, and to be honest you can get mugged etc walking down the street where you live these days! I get sick and tired of these double standards from these idiots that leave such nasty comments - how would you feel if it was your family?What Stef and Dave need is words of strength and hope - if you have nothing positive to say then i would say keep your comments to yourself and let the Pope family concentrate on finding Jen.
My thoughts go to Stef and Dave, and I pray Jen is returned to you safe and well!

Annonimous, Annonimous (26/02/2006 at 22:16)

Firstly, I would like to say that my thoughts go out to the family of Jenny Pope.
I would also like to give my support to the relatives in a hope that you may find jenny soon, My support coming from the fact that I was originally born in Banos where jenny was last seen, but now live in Britain, I assure you that the people of Banos give you their thoughts and hopes that Jenny is found and returns home safely. I have recently spoken to family in Banos whom assure me that people are asking questions as to the whereabouts of Jenny. On behalf of the people of Banos i give you their hopes that she will be found.

David C, Home (27/02/2006 at 21:12)

It's 20-odd years since I have seen Jenny - and I hold out hope that I might have the chance to see her again. Such anguishing times make me realise the fragility of our existence - and the vision, determination and courage that led her to make this trip of a lifetime.

I'm sorry that people have used this forum to criticise Jenny and the choices she made. I hope that she will return to continue her life in peace - and to seek adventure where she chooses.

David

Jessica Naranjo, Quito, Ecuador (01/03/2006 at 21:49)

I am a US citizen living in Ecuador and I feel the need to let people know we do not live in a ??hell hole??as the person from Maryland suggested. Banos is a beautiful and safe town full of lovely people. Unfortunately, like any other place in the world, there are bad people everywhere and Jenny Pope has probably come into contact with one of this type. I will continue to help from my end as much as possible, and I think we all need to pray a bit more and judge a bit less.
Jessica Naranjo

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