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A handsome bachelor who had just completely remodeled his condo, Mark Douglas Jackson, 35, vanished from his penthouse suite of the Drake Tower three years ago on June 27. He has not been seen since. The same goes for Barry Block and David George Rhodes, who have been missing from the Drake since 2003. At least one more resident is suspected of vanishing as well.
Fort Lauderdale police Detective Jim Curcio this week has been calling family members of the missing men, trying to determine any whereabouts or news. The last vanishing incident occurred when Jackson unexpectedly left a friend and walked back to his condo at 4 a.m. after a night of partying.
Jackson's case has stymied investigators and sent shock waves through nearby Wilton Manors, where gays enjoy a majority representation on the city council.
Police twice drained a section of the South Fork Middle River cuddled next to the Drake, searching for Jackson, said the condo's manager, Bruce Tanner. Tanner grew to know Jackson and spearheaded a media campaign to solve the case, which was profiled on ``America's Most Wanted.''
``You would never in a million years think that this would happen to Mark,'' Tanner said.
Investigators found small amounts of cocaine, amphetamines and methedrine in Jackson's room, according to the police report. His friend arrived the next morning to find Jackson gone with no explanation. The friend has passed a polygraph test. Also noted was that Jackson had no history of drug use or abuse.
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