Help Us Find Oneil

14681859_10211225149723508_3995029327415111999_n.jpgMost of you know Oneil Patrick Carroll McGean. As owner/operator of Café Playa Sur, he is always ready with a smile and a hug. He includes so many of us in his wonderful parties, whether fireworks viewing or piñata busting. He has lived here in Mazatlán full time for 10 years, and still manages the Old Mazatlán Condominiums. He is a quintessential bridge-builder, with as many local as international friends.

Oneil’s a great guy. Last winter, when a local public school was vandalized, he worked tirelessly to raise money to repaint and buy new computers. Oneil’s the kind of person that’s there when you need something; he’s just good people.

Tuesday night, Oneil went missing. We know where he was headed—to meet a new acquaintance at Hotel Punta Pacífico, at the entrance to the Delfín area. Friends watched him leave. After that, we don’t know. It is heartbreaking.

Thanks to local connections, friends, and officials, we have moved mountains today and gotten the wheels in motion to find him. Obviously the longer the delay, the more fear we have. His brother will join us from Hawai’i tomorrow.

We are quite confident Oneil has met misfortune. He loves his dogs dearly, and has left them unattended. He would never do that in a million years. Thankfully, his friend Jorge has stepped in to make sure the dogs are well taken care of, and to spend two days without sleep mobilizing a search effort and investigation. No one could ask for a better friend. Janet Blaser has also been a huge help. I so admire her clear thinking in times of trauma. And her connections.

The local, state and US American authorities have been alerted that Oneil is missing under suspicious circumstances. I contacted Mayor Felton this evening, and he spoke with Governor Malova, who tomorrow will send a specialized group of personnel here to Mazatlán to search for Oneil. A small group of close friends are working with the family, US American consulate, local authorities, and police to try and expedite and help as much as possible.

Please, help to spread the word of his story. Use any connections you have to get everyone informed and helping with this. And help us hold him up in prayer or meditation for a safe return.

Please do NOT spread sensationalistic nonsense—this is most probably not narco or gang violence. We hold hope that Oneil will show up soon, perhaps with fewer pesos, and not too badly beaten.

We love you, my dear friend.

About Dianne Hofner Saphiere

There are loads of talented people in this gorgeous world of ours. We all have a unique contribution to make, and if we collaborate, I am confident we have all the pieces we need to solve any problem we face. I have been an intercultural organizational effectiveness consultant since 1979, working primarily with for-profit multinational corporations. I lived and worked in Japan in the late 70s through the 80s, and currently live in and work from México, where with a wonderful partner we've raised a bicultural, global-minded son. I have worked with organizations and people from over 100 nations in my career. What's your story?

17 thoughts on “Help Us Find Oneil

  1. My heart goes out to Jorge and to ONeil’s family which, in true Mazatlecan style, includes so many of us. ONeal, please come back to your family safe and sound. We are all waiting with arms ready to embrace you once again in one of your great hugs.

  2. Thank you all for your efforts and please keep us appraised of the situation, we are all saddened by this and hope for the best.

  3. Wow! As you say Diane this could happen anywhere let’s just hope it all ends well. Will repost and am thankful for all the people here! It is a great community!

  4. All through my husband’s illness, ONeil would come over every day with food because I could not cook. I pray that you are safe, my friend. Return to us soon.

    • Thank you for sharing that, Allison. He’s a wonderful man. I pray that today’s the day he returns to us. Today the governor’s people are here investigating, and we have interviews set up with media… Hopes and prayers.

  5. Dios te cuide y te regrese con tu familia y amigos te esperamos Oneil be strong estaremos rezando por ti y tu regreso a casa

  6. Our family will never be able to express our deep gratitude for all that is being done in the community to help bring our beloved brother home. O’Neil has always been the bright light in our family and we love him so much. Thank you for loving him too!

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