A judge denied an Easton man's motion to reopen a case appealing more than $2.2 million in debt on a Guilford home just over a week before he and his wife disappeared.
Jeffrey Navin, 56, who runs a Westport sanitation company, and his wife, Jeanette Navin, 55, a Weston school library worker, have been missing for more than a week.
They were last seen Tuesday, Aug. 4 and were reported missing Friday, Aug. 7, according to Easton police, who believe the two recently moved to town.
"We are shocked and saddened at the unexpected disappearance of Jeff and Jeanette Navin. There are no words to describe the impact this has had on their parents, siblings, and children. We wish only for their safe return and we ask for anyone who has seen either of them since Tuesday, August 4th, to contact the Easton police," a statement from the family says.
Easton Police Chief Tim Shaw said that although the couple often travels, it's unusual for them not to tell family members where they are going.
According to court records, Jeffrey Navin owed $2,228,799.90 in debt on his 7 Hart Landing home in Guilford, including $350 in attorney fees, as of his last notice of judgment of strict foreclosure dated Dec. 22, 2014.
Jeffrey Navin also owed $139,001.49 in unpaid energy bills for the Guilford property to Connecticut Light & Power, now known as Eversource, according to the decision for the court proceedings for that debt dated June 17, 2015.
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"Financial issues recently reported by the media have not been proven to be a factor for our family members’ disappearance," a statement from the family says. "Information from the authorities indicates that there are available funds still in their bank accounts that are untouched. We, the entire Navin family, ask for privacy and respect during this overwhelming and troubling time."
Although there has been no sign of the missing couple, investigators found their truck empty Sunday in a commuter lot near exit 42 off the Merritt Parkway. Police said one of the windows was broken.
"Now we're on day seven. The longer this gets... the more nervous the family is – rightfully so – and the more suspicious it gets," said Shaw. "At this point, we're still looking at it as a missing person. We don't have anything that leads us to foul play as of yet."
Police are combing the car for clues and looking into the Navins' careers. They are also looking into their financials and social media activity, according to Shaw.
Jeanette Navin works as a paraprofessional in the library resource center at Weston Intermediate School, according to the superintendent, who sent an urgent alert to staff members on Tuesday.
Superintendent Dr. Colleen Palmer described Navin as a "beloved employee" who has worked with the school system for 18 years.
Police said Jeffrey Navin runs J&J Refuse, a waste management company in Westport. A recorded message on the company's phone line says, "Due to a family emergency, some collections have been delayed."
The Easton Police Department is working with other law enforcement agencies to figure out what happened to the couple. Federal agencies have been alerted about the disappearance. Police believe there is no danger to the public.
Anyone with information on the Navins' whereabouts is urged to call Easton police at 203-268-4111.
