The Avalanche-Journal received an anonymous envelope Monday with information that could shed new light on the disappearance of Mark Ysasaga.

With no return address and the newspaper’s address written down in blue ink with a shaky handwriting, the envelope contained a print of a personal listing on a website for gay men, adam4adam.com.

The sender, who stated he or she wished to remain anonymous because of the “nature of the website,” wrote in a note above the printout of the listing that they thought the picture in the profile resembled the missing 15-year-old Lubbock teen.

According to the profile, the subscriber is a 23-year-old Latino male from Lubbock.

Anna Cuevas, Mark’s mother, met with The A-J and said she did not agree the man in the photograph is her son and said she never had any knowledge that Mark may be gay.

“He has brought home so many girlfriends and girls were always fighting over him. But if this were the case, I don’t care. I just want him home safe,” Anna said.

The A-J contacted the Lubbock Police Department and turned over all materials to Sgt. Tony Gribben and Detective Jon House, who said their lab will analyze the fingerprints on the printed sheet and the envelope it was mailed in.

Sgt. Jonathan Stewart said the LPD will follow every lead into Mark’s whereabouts but did not go into detail about how this new information will be handled.

Last week, Crime Line of Lubbock announced it is offering a $2,000 reward for any information that will lead to Mark’s recovery.

Anyone interested in adding to the reward can make a donation through Crime Line at 741-1000, Sgt. Gribben said.

The LPD’s hope is the reward will be substantial enough to encourage someone who has information to come forward and help find Mark.

All tips and calls can be made anonymously.

To comment on this story:

andrea.sinclair@lubbockonline.com • 766-8742

leesha.faulkner@lubbockonline.com
• 766-8706

Comments (11)

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Disgusted

Submitted by Freudmacher81 on July 10, 2012 - 1:02pm.

I can not believe the AJ would "out" someone like this. It may be the facts, and yes, they did say that it might not be true. But it really could have been done without saying it was a gay dating site.

Some liberals here might say to me "it shouldn't matter if he's gay or straight". I completely agree...and that's why it should not have been brought up here.

Also Disgusted

Submitted by Houston Raider on July 10, 2012 - 2:28pm.

This is one of the poorest examples of journalism I have ever seen. How dare you quote information contained in an anonymous envelope! How should the family react to this on top of dealing with a missing child? This has to be one of the shoddiest examples of journalistic integrity ever witnessed in this horrible excuse of a newspaper. You continue to turn a blind eye to all of the shenanigans occuring with the Tech adminstraton, the football team, city government and children of prominent citizens and yet have the audicity to run this story. This family deserves better than your treatment of them. Maybe you should just stick with the tatoo contest as you obviously do not have any pride or ethics. You should be ashamed.

Missing Teen

Submitted by goldenoldie on July 10, 2012 - 2:57pm.

I am afraid I have to agree with the other opinions stated. The only thing that should have been printed was that information had been received by the Lubbock Police Department that might help lead to finding the missing teen. I believe the AJ has hurt more than helped this case by going public with this in formation. Mark Ysasaga's family has enough pain to deal with as it is. My prayers are with this family.

I was completely taken aback

Submitted by Scarlet85 on July 10, 2012 - 3:50pm.

I was completely taken aback by this disgusting excuse of journalism. I can’t believe a story was printed from nothing other than a quote from an anonymous source. This family has been through enough!!! Can you imagine the helplessness they feel on a daily basis along with numerous scenarios playing through their mind about their child? Not knowing if he is ok? You have done nothing but add to the pain this family is going through and has been enduring for almost a month now. This entire story is hurtful and devoid of any useful information in regards to bringing Mark home. But hey…whatever keeps people reading your stories right? Pathetic!

Serious AJ?

Submitted by Keyhole on July 10, 2012 - 4:17pm.

The Non-News

Submitted by LuckyMe on July 10, 2012 - 6:10pm.

"paper" strikes again.

Compare this story to the one last week about the "suicide at Raider Park". "Because it was a public place, it becomes news."

Bullspit. This non-newspaper has become a laughing stock attempt at tabloidism--it fails at that as well.

Really?

Submitted by lattemoon on July 12, 2012 - 12:30pm.

Was this necessary?

LPD and the AJ Must Print Apology to All

Submitted by Signingon on July 14, 2012 - 5:53pm.

I hope that I do not live in a community that made anyone leave because they felt they were not accepted. If anyone remotely makes people feel that way, regardless of age, gender, social standing, education every church and NGO in this region had better re-evaluate what they are doing, teaching, and review how they value humans. The AJ is way out of line in this shameful action, and how did the Lubbock police ever believe they could release the particulars of their "tip." Worse, it bears an assumption ("According to the profile, the subscriber is a 23-year-old Latino male from Lubbock." along with the assumption that the handwriting is "shaky."

The addition of "All tips and calls can be made anonymously" is farsical. This release blows any future crime tips, doesn't it!It's time the FBI came in and took over, because there is certainly something else going on that has affected this youngster's life. Regardless, Mark Ysasaga is wanted back home, by this community, this region, this nation, and certainly his family, friends and loved one! Period.

To Mark's family, I apologize for this blatant lack of process when someone is missing. We want Mark home, too. I really hope this is picked up by the news stations nationwide.

LPD and AJ - Shocking

Submitted by Pappion on July 15, 2012 - 11:48am.

Thank goodness that "Lubbock" is outranged about this article. And, who in blazes decided to release a URL that someone referred to in a 'tip' to the AJ? I now seriously doubt this "tip" and if it in fact went to the AJ.

Thi is read by other cities and states, and only further proves that services and "news" here is indeed backward, uneducated, and undisciplened that does nothing for this region of the USA. Poeple around the nation empathize with us living here; this proves their sentiments.

What do the police say about

Submitted by txscrazzyv on July 18, 2012 - 3:44pm.

What do the police say about this letter?did they investigate and take it seriously? Do they approve making it public? If an older person is hiding the young teen then the gay community being made aware could help find him. I would think finding him safe is the highest priority and whether or not he might be gay could be sorted out later.