Jeffrey 'JV' Vandergrift: Body of missing San Francisco radio host found a month after disappearance

'JV and I have always considered this community part of our family,' Jeffrey Vandergrift's wife Natasha said
UPDATED MAR 24, 2023
Jeff Vandergrift, a popular DJ, was found dead a month after he vanished (wild949.iheart/ screenshot)
Jeff Vandergrift, a popular DJ, was found dead a month after he vanished (wild949.iheart/ screenshot)

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: Jeffrey JV Vandergrift, a popular radio host in San Francisco, was found floating at Pier 39 after being reported missing for a month. The body was discovered before 5 pm on Wednesday and was identified by the medical examiner as popular radio host Jeffrey Vandergrift, 55. He was missing since February 23. Police confirmed that no foul play is believed to have been involved.

He was known to his fans at Wild 94.9 as "JV" and was the host of his own radio show, called 'The JV Show' as per KTVU. He established a highly successful morning show and opened up to his viewers about his own health issues like "brain fog," dizziness, migraines, and blurred vision dating back to 2021. Afterward, he was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

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'JV will not be coming back'

The radio station he worked for posted a memorial to the popular DJ and husband about two weeks after he disappeared. In a tweet uploaded on March 8 on social media, Wild 94.9 offered insights about Vandergrift's life while honoring him for 30 years of entertainment in the Bay Area.



 

In a message, JV's wife Natasha said that he would not be coming back. "I have been in so much pain and fear and I know all of you have been so scared and concerned for JV as well. JV and I have always considered this community part of our family so I want to let you know that personal information has recently been discovered that leads us to believe JV will not be coming back. I tell you this with incredible pain and sadness in my heart," she said.



 

Wild 94.9 shared a statement on Thursday stating, "With a heavy heart, we must confirm that the body found near Pier 39 on Wednesday afternoon has been identified as our dear friend, family member & colleague, JV. We are devastated to know that JV is gone. Please keep his wife Natasha, his family, and close friends in your thoughts and prayers."



 

'Thank you for a wonderful life'

During what would be his final show on February 23, JV shared an update on his health while talking to a listener, ABC 7 reported. "The stuff I've been going through in my brain that they are trying to figure out... ugh," he said.

"It started off... with them believing that something had reignited old infections," he explained. "The body, and the pain and all that stuff I can handle. What it is doing to my brain, I could never describe to you."

JV's final message on social media began by saying "Thank you for a wonderful life filled with joy, laughs, pain, and struggle..." as per reports He had edited the caption for the earlier post which fans noticed after he went missing. 

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