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SUNNY Temp: 57 °F Wind: S at 3 mph Saturday, September 27, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 19, 2003 Brendt Lionel Rozelle Missing man’s mother charged with forging will By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Although police presume that a Medford man missing for more than a year is dead, the case is far from over. Brendt Lionel Rozelle, 36, disappeared without a trace last year, but in his absence, police have uncovered a drug trafficking ring, a tangled estate and criminal allegations against his own mother. "It’s like a nightmare that’s never ending," said Rozelle’s mother, Cheryl Gobel of Boulder City, Nev. Gobel, 59, is set to stand trial next month on charges that she forged Rozelle’s will, which established Gobel as the executor and disinherited Rozelle’s young daughter who lives in Jackson County with her mother. Gobel has pleaded not guilty and refused to comment on the charge. Advertisement The alleged forgery "has brought some things into the investigation that we need to consider," said Medford police Lt. Mike Moran. "This just kind of adds to the mystery and leaves more questions unanswered than before," he said. Rozelle was last seen at his home on Lynnwood Avenue on May 29, 2002. He was planning to travel to Porterville, Calif., to discuss his father’s estate with an attorney. Rozelle’s father, who died in April, reportedly left his son a large amount of money and property, police said. But relatives said Rozelle never made it to Porterville. His pickup truck was found in the driveway of his home. Only Rozelle’s cell phone, wallet and briefcase appeared to be absent from his house. Rozelle’s family reported him missing on June 18, 2002. The next week, Gobel filed a copy of Rozelle’s will in Jackson County Circuit Court and was appointed conservator. About three months later, an aunt called police detectives and told them she was concerned about the estate. Interviews with Gobel led police to believe she forged the will. She was indicted on a charge of first-degree forgery in January and later removed as conservator of Rozelle’s estate. Meanwhile, police had been monitoring Rozelle’s bank accounts and credit cards. There was no indication they had been used. Detectives searched his home for clues to his disappearance, but family members had apparently cleaned and sterilized the house before investigators arrived, said Moran. Instead of a homicide scene, detectives uncovered evidence of a marijuana growing operation in Rozelle’s home and several others that he was using around the valley. No plants were found inside Rozelle’s residence, but trays and lights were set up in a back room. Informants told investigators that Rozelle was involved in the drug trade between Medford and California. Detectives then knew information leading to Rozelle was unlikely to surface. "Even if a person did have information, if they’re tied up in narcotics trafficking, they’re not going to come forward," Moran said. Police said it’s unknown exactly how much money was at stake in Rozelle’s estate. However, property sales were pending, and no other will has been found, they said. Police ask anyone with information about the case to contact Medford police Detective Terry Newell at 774-2230 or the Medford Police Department at 770-4783. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times