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Joshua and Tadsana Devine, who was also on board the Phuket boat

Family Posts $5000 Reward for Diver

Sunday, July 12, 2015
PHUKET: The family of an American diver lost off Phuket in April is offering a reward of $5000 for information that reveals the truth about what happened to him.

Joshua Devine, 36, a former National Guard, was reported to have had too much to drink when he vanished from a live-aboard boat soon after it left Phuket for a voyage to the Similan islands.

But his family has now released a document to NBC Connecticut that details email conversations between Devine's sister, the US Embassy in Thailand and an investigative reporter. The family has questioned whether foul play was involved.

Authorities on Phuket, restricted by small budgets for the fuel they could spend in a search for Devine, were unable to determine what had happened to him.

NBC reported that because of the lack of trust with Thai police, the family asks anyone with information to contact Devine's sister, Jennifer Bakowski said.

The family plans on sharing any information uncovered with authorities, a family spokesperson said.

''Everything right now is hearsay,'' Bakowski said.

''It's been completely unconfirmed because of the fact that nobody is willing to come forward to actual provide the information to police because for the most part they fear for their safety.''

The family said it would have been out of character for Joshua to drink heavily before going diving.

His relatives say they will try to protect people who come forward by sharing the information with the FBI, which will work with trusted authorities in Thailand.

Bakawski and Joshua's mother, Marie Major, flew from the US to Thailand on April 16 to assess the standard of the investigation and later reported back to local American media.

''We went out there because my brother's wife was having a hard time getting someone to look for him,'' Bakawski was quoted as telling ctnow.com.

''We lost a day-and-a-half because [police] went back to the mainland [after searching the boat] and then the second day he was missing, officials said they couldn't look because of the [Thai New Year] holiday . . . we lost a pretty critical section of time,'' Bakawski said.

The reward money will go to anyone who offers leads that help bring Devine home. the reward is expected to run in three Thai newspapers and on social media.

Anyone with information on Devine's whereabouts can contact Bakowski atJadunne3@yahoo.com

Comments

Comments have been disabled for this article.

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.. if we are talking who usually under such circumstances CAN have motive (still doesn't mean really had), then are those to are entitles to get inheritance, that is very simple and nothing; unless other speciall arrangements were doen, then it will be wife.

Those in inheritance line of course should understand that they are among primary suspects for foul play, and sincerly cooperate if they were not.

Were there any debtors of deceased on board, not encessarily pesronal ones, but also through company vehicles.

But what people were doing on board, we hardly will be able to establish percisely - but if FBI is taking charge with this invetsigation, there are could be email and other traces between the memebers of the group.

Version of been drunk while falling overboard is quite plausible as if healthy person falls overboard, he normally will call for help - and in the night and no storm, sounds travel well,certainly someone would notice it.

Yes, there are various technically oissble scenarios of foul play - drinks were spiked, then a person in almost coma helped to get overboard, huge stock of alcohol was pre-planned a diversion of attention etc.

To get to possible motive it is important bto etsablish his financial status and who will inherit what now.

Family< obvioulsy< is of moderate means, but that doesn't exclude that he was bettr off than his family.

Posted by Sue on July 12, 2015 07:16

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Sue, leave it to the FBI, what a load of dribble you just went on with.

Posted by coxo on July 12, 2015 08:49

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@ sue. Stop talking crap please. You are idiot on most topics, this is one topic you should avoid.

Posted by Anno on July 12, 2015 09:34

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coxo

so far FBI is not involved if you have read the article carefully , they are going to submit to FBI materials if any will appears, and ask to investigate

Posted by Sue on July 12, 2015 09:36

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Thank you coxo.

Those in line for inheritance should cooperate because they are prime suspects ! (... And because she's his wife and wants the truth ?) Bloody hell. I'm glad I'm you're not line for my inheritance ! (You'd be disappointed !)

Posted by James on July 12, 2015 10:07

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@Sue, how insensitive your comment is for his wife and family who clearly are trying very hard to try and find out what happened. Keep your insensitive comments to yourself they really do not help anyone except perhaps your own attempt and making yourself look clever but you are so far off the mark.

Posted by Fiesty Farang on July 12, 2015 10:14

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Give Sue a break - he means well..

..and get used to it.

Posted by farang888 on July 12, 2015 10:30

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Anno,

but I think that you are idiot on all topics on which you posted in less than ten of your posts on this page since 2013 under this nick, so what?

My observation is that you may have anatomical anomaly of sphincter conjoined with the mouth, basing on your choice of words, as well needs to consult your mental health physician since you are unable to control yourself and easily slide into criminal path (or quite possibly, just return there).

Posted by Sue on July 12, 2015 10:43

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James,

it isgood for you if you are already on retirement and don't need your brains anymore as only for daily routines as obviously and understandably there is not much left after so many years:

original NBC Connecticut reporting said that Enfield family launched that effort with the award - it is without his wife.

Of course, the wife is primary suspect as she will get all or major part of inheritance. Anyone who has fins curl interest in his death are suspects, that simple. Moreover , his wife was present at the scene of possible crime.

Modern kids of kindergarten age understand this logics in movies, but seems you have already passed line when still appears articulated sounds , but with no logics.
You may start soon misperceive a window for a door, just contract timely properly senile care service!

Posted by Sue on July 12, 2015 11:00

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@ farang888. I would love to give sue a break. Twelve immediately spring to mind. Ten fingers and both wrists.
Sue they say milk is good for your teeth, so to is keeping your mouth closed.

Posted by Anno on July 12, 2015 12:54

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FF

... ok, so you have reincarnated back into FF nick?..

Pls see just 2rd&3rd paragraphs of my respond to James.

For sure, you will not deny the following:

1) primary suspects in different roles includes :

A. everyone who was on a vessel that night - as executor of possible crime, or abettor of it; also they can hold a role of instigator, organizer or those ones who provided cover or have not reported a crime
B.everyone who is getting a financial benefit from the death of deceased :
1. at first place, those who will inherit his property - among them, it will be chiefly , first , wife , then may be some one else ;
2. debtors who would rely on non-enforcement ;
3. other people who would be interested that the deceased would not execute some of his intentions or those acts would require his personal presence.
The major assigned role here is an organizor, and the only visible to public suspect is his wife. Moreover she falls both under A. and B.

No one here are exonerated on the basis that he or she is relative of deceased.

What those people normally should do (and what I would do under such circumstances), to collect evidence and compile explanation that demonstrate non-involvement to proactively , or at least actively reactively clear a name.

2) that under circumstances to form an activist group that would include wife, who was present at the scene , and who is major or single beneficiary of deceased estate, may not be within a group that calls to come forward with information what happened on a vessel , where the wife was present, and even more, she was that part of the group who allegedly seen the deceased last time?


I afraid that you simply came to too snap conclusion, however lack of formal logic as such is not your treat as it is a case with some fellow commenters.

===
Normal people normally are not concerned in daily life and daily communication with taking an apparent focus on an overemphasizing their mental abilities.
Except if that is their professional field, they remind others about that mostly if that is their pain, incl. if gurus or trainers of various kinds beaten them with a stick recently acomppnying sound of fishing wooden stick with a wording reminiscent of your last sentence.

That is a manner I communicate daily in professional and private life , in a verbal and written firm, for at least the last 20 years or so.
Moreover in my world people express their ideas in a similar manner also regardless of their nationality, incl. Thais.
So, except quality of iPad spellchecker, I'm not much concerned with your observations.

Posted by Sue on July 12, 2015 13:32

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Anno,

I told you that you have criminal inclination and poor self-control so better spend funds on your therapist, it will improve your NPV.

Otherwise, I may go Rassada police station to look for your IP address as I do not comfortable with your kart comment , so this may lead to finding out what you are really in Thailand.

I am good in filing complains of various kinds and not bad in resolving legal matters, by the way. You may know that Thai courts take quite subjective stance on interpreting expressions , bar antiHR cases, and do not hesitate to look into hidden namesakes , associations , implied messages, and connotations.

Posted by Sue on July 12, 2015 13:39

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Sad if this site does close, but well worth it just to see the end of the inane comments made by this sue person.

Posted by Loder on July 12, 2015 13:54

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As I recall the previous reports let to some kind accident / suicide scenario. With a guy drinking to much and acting out, as the people on the boat told police.

What I can see is, that with the not found body and the fact, that it is Thailand, where perception is, that foul play is everywhere, specially in these kind of situations, the family is hinging to some other kind of idea.

And for all thinking, that can only happen in Thailand, think Natalie Wood. Or this Australien woman who went missing at night. At least would have been easier if the body was found to determine the level of alcohol and maybe some additional substances being there or not.

But for a bigger conspiracy there are too many loose ends that makes it unlikely to be done that way. So many thing could have gone wrong while trying to kill him this way. The other stories have a lot of less potential witnesses nearby, a much closer area to control the situation while "staging" an accident/suicide disappearing. Specially with him acting out in front of a lot of different people and being a strong and heavy man.

Posted by Lena on July 12, 2015 16:55

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Hi Anno,
I understand your dilemma - as a hockey player I never get breaks - only fractures. But to the point - when I do read Sue's stuff (which is seldom anymore) - I go for the humor content as opposed to getting ticked off on general principle.

But then I'm not in Thailand right now, my happy place - to illustrate a Sue "tangent"..LOL..

Best

Posted by farang888 on July 12, 2015 23:11

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To clarify. The FBI will not be investigating anything as they have no jurisdiction to do so. They are simply acting as a means of providing information to trusted authorities. This does not mean that the family feels that the entire country is corrupt however in this case is it crucial that the information provided to those trusted authorities remain as need to know. The safety of anyone that does come forward is of utmost importance to Josh's state side family I will restate that the reason for his family's suspicion is because Josh is a responsible person. Also there is something very disturbing about a group of so called avid divers and professionals aboard that boat that comtinued on as scheduled knowing they had lost a fellow diver just hours before sunrise. Not one of them thought to get in the water to search the area. They instead continued on their journey, posting pictures and asking each other if they planned on attending them same beach party merely days after Josh went missing. This shows a complete disregard for life. Since his US family are the only ones continuing the search for Josh, it seems unnecessary to mention his "wife" in this matter at all.

Posted by Anonymous on July 14, 2015 12:04

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Ignore Anno. What a moron.
Sue, you are right on. The Thai spouse gets the goods that is Thai law. This guy, Josh, owns 4 homes on Phuket and supposedly invested in Mermaid Dive outfit before being offed on their liveaboard. The guy did not drink before diving, he was drugged.

Posted by Pro Sue Anti Anno on July 22, 2015 10:55


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