The search for a missing southern California woman continues two weeks after her mysterious disappearance. While authorities have shared few details about the investigation, Heidi Placht’s ex-husband has spoken extensively to the media, and shared new details about Placht’s new relationship.
As previously reported, Placht vanished on October 17 after leaving her son’s football game at halftime. Her ex-husband Jim Wayne was also at the game, and said Placht seemed distracted before she left. Three days later, when Placht did not pick up her son from school according to schedule, Wayne reported his wife missing.
Placht’s dog was found abandoned in a high-rise apartment building in downtown Los Angeles, 12 miles from her home. It remains unclear why the dog was in the building or if Placht was ever there. A resident in the building reportedly tracked down the dog owner through the pet’s microchip, but questions remain about the circumstances. She works as a controller for Camden Capital Partners. Jason Sugarman, one of the managing partners at the firm, has been under investigation for a $43 million fraud scheme.
Wayne told Fox News he suspects the fraud investigation may have some connection to his ex-wife’s disappearance. He claims someone from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) called him on October 21, questioning him about Sugarman.
“I don’t know how she got my name and I don’t know how she got my number, but she called me and started asking me questions about Sugarman,” he said. “Something’s dirty here.”
Wayne also told The Sun that Planck had gotten into an argument with her new boyfriend a week before her disappearance, and that the boyfriend was not aware Planck had disappeared.
“They had been in an argument the week before so he didn’t know anything about her disappearance,” Wayne told The Sun. “He thought she was just ghosting him. He had no idea.” Wayne said the pair had argued because Planck wanted the boyfriend, who lived in San Francisco, to visit, but he declined because of work.
Despite the argument, Wayne told The Sun he does not suspect the boyfriend is involved in Planck’s disappearance.
“I don’t have any worries about him, he’s a great guy,” Wayne said. “I’m no detective for sure, but he seems like a really great guy.”
Police have not named any suspects in Planck’s disappearance, or stated publicly whether they believe foul play is involved.
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