Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 13, 1993 TAG: 9308130150
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
Police said they did not know if foul play was involved. The elder Jordan was last seen July 22 at the funeral of a friend in Burgaw, 60 miles southeast of Fayetteville, and his family had not reported him missing, said Sheriff Morris Bedsole.
James Jordan's stripped Lexus 400 was found Aug. 5 near a wooded area off a Fayetteville road, Bedsole said. Its rear window was smashed out and four tires and stereo speakers were missing. The vehicle's vanity license plates also were gone.
Police said there was no sign of blood at the car. There were no previous threats and no ransom demands have been made.
It was not clear if a missing persons report was filed after officers determined Wednesday the car belonged to James Jordan.
"It's not unusual for Mr. Jordan not to let someone know where he's at," said Art Binder, chief of detectives in the sheriff's department.
Members of Michael Jordan's security staff flew to Fayetteville from Chicago on Wednesday, officers said. The security staff is the only contact the sheriff's department has had with Jordan's family.
James Jordan spoke to reporters in June during the NBA playoffs, after reports of his son's late-night trip to an Atlantic City casino. He denied that Michael Jordan had a gambling problem.
"He wouldn't be doing that if he couldn't afford it," the elder Jordan said. "He isn't that stupid. What he has is a competition problem. He was born with that. And if he didn't have a competition problem, you guys wouldn't be writing about him."
Jordan's agent, Ted Ewanciu, did not return calls.
by CNB