JV Vandergrift: Wild 94.9 posts tribute to missing radio DJ from San Francisco

The radio station where missing San Francisco DJ Jeffrey 'JV' Vandergrift worked has posted a tribute to the beloved host and husband nearly two weeks after he disappeared. 

In a post shared Wednesday on social media, Wild 94.9 shared details about Vandergrift's life while thanking him for 30 years of entertainment in the Bay Area. 

'Thanks for the laughs. Thanks for the love. Thank you, JV,' the station wrote. 

Vandergrift first went missing on Thursday, February 23, after he told listeners about mysterious brain issues he was experiencing. Viewers later found that he had edited an Instagram caption to thank his fans for a 'wonderful life.' 

The San Francisco Police Department is still searching for him, however, Vandergrift's model wife said last week they believe he 'will not be coming back.' 

The radio station where missing San Francisco DJ Jeffrey 'JV' Vandergrift worked has posted a tribute to the beloved host and husband nearly two weeks after he disappeared

The San Francisco Police Department is still searching for him, however, Vandergrift's model wife said last week they believe he 'will not be coming back'

In a post shared Wednesday on social media, Wild 94.9 shared details about Vandergrift's life while thanking him for 30 years of entertainment to the Bay Area

In their post Wednesday, Vandergrift's coworkers recapped his life, including his love of radio, entertainment, and helping those in need.    

'JV (Jeff Vandergrift) grew up a radio fanatic, listening to his favorite DJ, John London, and dreaming of his own show one day,' the post reads. 

'Not only did that dream come true, but JV went on to entertain, amuse and engage the Bay Area for over 30 years,' the post continues. 

Vandergrift had started his show, The Dog House, at Hot 97.7 in San Jose before bringing it back to San Francisco at 107.7 - now known as Wild 94.9.

The show made Vandergrift 'a household name' in the area as listeners tuned in for 'a daily mix of pranks and laughs and a colorful cast of characters.' 

Behind the jokes, however, the station said Vandergrift was a champion for organizations and causes in need. 

'JV has always been a champion for those whose lives were challenged,' they write.

'His support for Candy Cane Lane and the George Mark Children’s House ensured that dozens of kids and families have received holiday gifts and cheer. From a terminally ill child whose dream was going to Disneyland to a family in need of a holiday meal, JV always delivered humanity along with humor,' the post reads. 

His coworkers thanked him for also being 'candid about the highs and lows of his own life.' 

'He shared his life journey with his audience in hopes that someone else could gain some knowledge or empathy or feel supported,' the station wrote. 

His coworkers said that his honesty has inspired many of their viewers to share their own struggles. 

'His transparency has inspired many to call into the show, write letters of support and share his stories on social media,' the post read. 

As of March 8, Vandergrift has not been located.   

The radio DJ sparked red flags on his Instagram the day he disappeared after editing the caption of a months-old post to use past tense language and thanking his fans for a 'wonderful life.' 

The station's tribute post included a photo collage of Vandergrift with his wife 

In their post Wednesday, Vandergrift's coworkers at Wild 94.9 recapped his life, including his love of radio, entertainment, and helping those in need

Officials have described Vandergrift as 'at risk' and are urging anyone who may have information on his disappearance to come forward

Supporters have gathered outside of the iHeart radio station building in San Francisco to show their support for Vandergrift's family and coworkers 

The unearthed comments on his health come just hours after his coworkers said Vandergrift has not used his credit cards or phone since disappearing 

In a statement last week, Yi - a playboy style model with more than 16 million followers on Facebook - thanked fans and their 'radio family' for their thoughts and prayers during this time. 

'Thank you to our friends and the entire i-HeartRadio family and listeners for your love, support and prayers. I can feel your love and energy for JV, and I am so grateful for it,' she wrote. 

His wife - who also worked on his show with him - said she and her husband have felt 'the amount of compassion' fans have given as Vandergrift has fought health issues over the last two years. 

According to a post made back in 2021, the radio DJ was diagnosed with Lyme disease. He took some time off to deal with the illness.

She continued, saying she wants to keep the public updated, even as her heart is breaking and she is in 'incredible pain.' 

'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,' she wrote. 

'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,' Yi said. 

Yi said police do not believe foul play is suspected and that she is working consistently with the San Francisco Police Department to find her husband.   

'At this time, JV officially remains missing according to the SFPD, but no foul play is suspected in his disappearance. 

'We are incredibly appreciative for the SFPD’s ongoing efforts in locating JV and they have asked us to keep the details to immediate family only,' she wrote. 

Heartbreakingly, the wife also shared her own condolences to fans, saying:  'I know how painful this is for you to hear – please know that I have you in my thoughts.' 

She concluded her message by asking for forgiveness for her 'silence during this time,' as her heart is 'utterly broken, and the pain feels unbearable.' 

'I will do my best to provide updates and I ask for you to please keep JV in your thoughts and prayers,' Yi wrote. 

She also attached the phone number for the San Francisco Police Department and asked that anyone with information on his whereabouts reach out immediately. 

Vandergrift and Yi tied the knot in 2006 after three years of dating and later renewed their wedding vows in 2017. 

Yi said police do not believe foul play is suspected and that she is working consistently with the San Francisco Police Department to find her husband

Heartbreakingly, the wife in her statement also shared her own condolences to fans, saying: 'I know how painful this is for you to hear – please know that I have you in my thoughts'

This is the Instagram post whose captioned was changed, sparking concern 

This is the statement Natasha Yi - wife of JV Vandergrift - released on Instagram Wednesday

DailyMail.com reported that Vandergrift had told listeners about health issues he was facing just hours before he disappeared. 

The radio DJ told listeners during his final show that doctors were looking into something that may have 'reignited' old infections.

'The body and the pain and all that stuff, I can handle. What it's doing to my brain I could never describe to you,' he said Thursday morning. 

Less than 24 hours later, Vandergrift was reported missing with the San Francisco Police Department after he was last seen at his home on King Street around 10pm. 

Vandergrift said doctors had even recently offered him experimental medications or surgeries to address the issues. 

'The stuff I've been going through in my brain that they're trying to figure out. Ugh,' he told Wild 94.9 listeners. 

The unearthed comments on his health came just hours after his coworkers shared that he had not used his credit cards or phone since disappearing.

Vandergrift said doctors had even recently offered him experimental medications or surgeries to address the issues 

Vandergrift and Yi tied the knot in 2006 after three years of dating and later renewed their wedding vows in 2017

The San Francisco Police Department is asking for help locating Vandergrift 

'The stuff I've been going through in my brain that they're trying to figure out. Ugh,' he told Wild 94.9 listeners

During his Thursday show, the radio DJ (left) said he had been working with his medical team to address his concerns 

His friends from the radio station described the situation as 'incredibly worrisome.' 

The officials did not directly mention the Instagram post that has raised major red flags, but it is one of the biggest causes for concern. 

The August 2022 Instagram post had originally been a celebration of National Radio Day, but was edited to thank his fans for a 'wonderful life.' 

'Thank you for a wonderful life-filed w joy, laughs, pain & struggle. It's been a great journey. Your support & prayers meant the world,' the caption now reads. 

Vandergrift is described as a white male, 6'0', 180 pounds, bald, and brown eyes. 

Police say he has several tattoos including ones on his arms and above his right ear and was last seen wearing black sweatpants.