Published: November 18, 2009 07:01 am      

Orangefield man disappears; wife eagerly awaits his return

On October 27 Jay Dee Herrmann, 41, of Orangefield kissed his wife of 9 years, told her he loved her and would be back after he ran some errands; however, he was never heard from again.

The couple had been arguing that morning, but Jay Herrmann said they would talk about it when he returned. About 9 a.m., he headed to Orange to pay some bills and cash his paycheck. He had also mentioned going to the Texas Workforce Center to look for a part-time job to supplement their income. With only the clothes on his back and in their only vehicle, he left.

Lori Herrmann fell asleep waiting for her husband’s return. When she awoke a few hours later and he still was not there she thought to herself “he still must be mad.” He had disappeared once before, but returned a few days later.

However, this time is different, she said.

Lori Herrmann had repeatedly called his cell phone and each time it went straight to voicemail. When the voicemail became full and would no longer take new messages, she became increasingly worried. In order to check his voicemails, she had the cell phone shut off.

“There was nothing helpful on there,” Lori Herrmann said. “They are mostly of us asking him to please call.”

According to Lori Herrmann, the last call made was on Oct. 27. A call was placed to information about 10:11 p.m. for the number of the Port Arthur Greyhound bus station. Seven minutes later he called the bus station.

Lori Herrmann called the bus station as well, but they did not have any records of him purchasing a ticket.

Since Jay Herrmann has been missing, his wife has called as many family and friends she could remember. Jay Herrmann has friends in Galveston, California, Houston and Kansas.

However, Lori Herrmann is not the only person who has not heard from him. Jay Herrmann has been in the National Guard for 22 years and has been considering retirement. The Desert Storm veteran has not reported to his station in Port Neches. As a result, according to Sgt. Harrison, the Army has him listed as “AWOL.”

He also did not return to his place of employment or called in to tell them he was not coming in to work.

Most of all, he has not contacted his mother in Pennsylvania. For Lori Herrmann, this is the most shocking of all.

“It’s very, very scary to me,” Lori Herrmann said. “I have been on emotional roller coaster.”

Lori Herrmann blames herself for the argument. She feels she has almost run out of options and tries to talk to as many people as she can to get the word out. She has filed a missing person report with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The case is still under investigation by investigators.

“It’s the not knowing that is eating me alive,” Lori Herrmann said. She added, she understands if he doesn’t want to talk to her, but she hopes he will at least call his mother.

Jay Herrmann is 6 feet tall with a thin build, hazel eyes and shaves his head bald. He wears glasses and cannot see well without them. He also has several tattoos. On his right forearm he has a black panther while on his left forearm he has a skull. In addition, on his upper right shoulder has a small cross with the words “heavy metal” under it. Below the wording is an angel with a large wing span. He was last seen wearing a long sleeved tan colored shirt, blue jeans and tennis shoes. In the past Jay Herrmann has worked as a forklift driver and a diesel mechanic.

The car, a 1997 black Pontiac Sunfire, has a dent in the passenger side rear quarter panel. It also has not been located.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at 409-883-2612. They can also call EasTex Crime Stoppers at 409-724-TIPS. Information received could earn the person a cash reward and they can remain anonymous.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.