Search For Missing Music Producer Intensifies (Scary story)

[Sequoia]

TOPANGA, Calif. -- Sheriff's investigators conducted another search Thursday in a section of Topanga Canyon where a Grammy-nominated music producer disappeared after calling a friend to report people with dogs were chasing him.

Christian Julian Irwin, 47, made the call on his cell phone about 3:30 a.m. Sunday from a propane station near his Topanga Canyon home, telling his friend he was in danger and needed help, said Sgt. Diane Hecht, of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.

The longtime friend went to the station at 525 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd. but couldn't find Irwin, Hecht said.

Soon after, Irwin called again, saying he was being chased downstream by "some people and their dogs," Hecht said.

Before hanging up, the producer told his childhood friend: "It might be about the money," Hecht said, adding the friend tried unsuccessfully to contact Irwin again.

The friend filed a missing persons report later Sunday. The sheriff's department's Lost Hills Search and Rescue Team used dogs to scour the area around Irwin's house, finding eyeglasses apparently belonging to the missing man near a stream, Hecht said.

Searchers will gather about 9 a.m. Thursday near the missing man's home to comb the area again, Hecht said.

Irwin, who has been nominated for three Grammy awards, recently got mixed up with a Nigerian Internet offering, his family told reporters earlier this week.

Investigators believe the money to which Irwin referred in the phone call has to do with the Nigerian affair.

Irwin was spooked when he received a check for $50,000 in the mail last week, said his sister, Sharon Riolo.

"That frightened him. All of the sudden it became a little bit scary," she told reporters, adding that Irwin returned the check.

Irwin's brother-in-law, John Riolo, talked about the call.

"He said that he was running through some water and he was being chased by some people, and that there were dogs chasing him, as well," Riolo said. "I think he really felt he was running for his life. And if he felt he was running for his life, he probably was."

<snip>

http://www.nbc4.tv/news/4898015/detail.html

[henslee]

1. Why would he be spooked about GETTING a check?

[tanyev]

2. This is bizarre.