Former FLDS figure is missing

HURRICANE — Relatives of a once promising leader for a polygamous community filed a missing-person report Friday, saying the FLDS church elder hasn't been seen since December and could be dead. Authorities said they would act on the report.

Fred Jessop, a former bishop of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, vanished after being excommunicated by the new leader of the faith, which believes polygamy assures a path to heaven and eternal life.

Jessop, who is 94 or 95, was last seen around town Dec. 20, say several relatives. One of his nephews, Joseph Charles Jessop Jr., told sheriff's deputies on Friday that he fears his uncle is either dead or is being held captive by Warren Jeffs, who took control of the church after the 2002 death of his father, former prophet Rulon Jeffs.

Many at the time thought Jessop, known as "Uncle Fred," or another church elder, Louis Barlow, would ascend to church president, but both instead were excommunicated.

Fred Jessop, a widely admired and benevolent church figure who was one of the town's original residents, held considerable sway before his ouster amid a leadership struggle.

Joseph Jessop Jr. said that he has read a letter purported to have been written by his uncle since he was last seen, but he is uncertain about its authenticity. The letter appeared to be written with two different pens and had a dubious signature.

Washington County Sheriff's Deputy Jess Frazier said he would file a missing-person report immediately with the National Crime Information Center.

"We don't want to let any more time elapse," he said Friday.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has been "looking at the whole situation out there," the deputy said.

"Out there" refers to the twin border cities where about 9,000 FLDS members reside. Discord within the community and church has grown since early January after Jeffs banished 21 men, many considered to be his rivals, in an apparent effort to consolidate power.

The men are considered to be "repenting from a distance," said Ross Chatwin, who was ordered similarly to repent for soliciting brides without Jeffs' consent. He continues to live in Colorado City and has become a vocal critic of Jeffs and the FLDS church.