Body of Wild 94.9 Morning Host JV Found
• UPDATED: A body found in the water at San Francisco’s Pier 39 is confirmed to be that of missing KYLD (Wild 94.9)/San Francisco morning host Jeffrey “JV” Vandergrift, according to the SF Medical Examiner’s Office.
ABC 7/San Francisco reports that SFPD officers responded to Pier 39 just before 5pm Wednesday and located a person in the water. The person was confirmed deceased at the scene, police said.
On Thursday, SF Medical Examiner confirmed the body was 55-year-old Jeffrey Vandergrift, who had gone missing in February. Following the disappearance, JV’s wife Natasha had released a statement saying that “JV will not be coming back.” Police confirm that no foul play is believed to have been involved.
Vandergrift was last seen about 10pm on Thursday, Feb. 23 at his home near Oracle Park. At the time of his disappearance he was considered “at risk.”
Just after 10am Thursday, Wild 94.9 confirmed this sad news in a tweet that reads: With a heavy heart, we must confirm that the body found near Pier 39 on Wednesday afternoon has been identified as our dear friend, family member & colleague, JV. We are devastated to know now that JV is gone. Please keep his wife Natasha (pictured), his family, and close friends in your thoughts and prayers.”
A heartfelt statement from Wild 94.9 PD Mark Adams reads, in part, “I just don’t have the right words to share… I don’t have the right things to say. I don’t know that any of us do. As we’d shared with you all some weeks ago, private information had come to light with JV’s wife and family that strongly indicated JV would not be returning. Yet, now… it truly feels final and it’s just devastating. First and foremost, I want to gain ask for your continued thoughts, prayers, and support for JV’s family. The last several weeks have just been unimaginably difficult, and know that your support has, and will continue to, mean the world to them.”
Adams added, “If I can speak personally for just a quick second… I want to tell you something you probably already knew… JV was, by far, one of, if not the most gifted broadcasters I’ve ever worked with. And more importantly, he was an AMAZING person who affected so many people in positive way. And that’s what I’m going to remember, and ask you to do so as well. And that’s why his name and his legacy will continue to be an important part of Wild. We continue to miss him every day…please keep JV, Natasha, and JV’s family in your thoughts and your prayers.” There is a pictorial tribute to JV posted on Wild949.com.
