WEST CHICAGO – The last time Renata Bielskis spoke to John Spira, they talked about going out to eat.
They didn't get to go to dinner. She was still finishing up at work and wasn't able to get away.
That was Feb. 23, 2007, and no one has seen or heard from the St. Charles resident since that day.
On Monday, the two-year anniversary of his disappearance, Bielskis was in front of Spira's burned out business on County Farm Road in unincorporated West Chicago, handing out fliers to motorists in hopes of keeping his disappearance in the spotlight.
"I am hopeful he is still alive," Bielskis said. "You need to keep it in the public eye."
Bielskis had been dating Spira at the time of his disappearance. He and his wife, Suzanne Spira, were going through a divorce.
Suzanne Spira wasn't at Monday's event but said she hoped that it would bring more clues into her husband's disappearance.
"I hope and pray for my husband's safe appearance," said Suzanne Spira, who now lives in Buffalo, N.Y.
The couple's house in St. Charles recently went into foreclosure.
She is just as puzzled as to what happened to him as anyone.
"I have no idea what could have happened," Suzanne Spira said. "What occurred on that day was atypical of John's routine."
Spira, 45, of St. Charles, last was seen Feb. 23, 2007, at Universal Cable Construction near West Chicago, which Spira co-owned. A fire in September 2007 totaled the business.
The business now operates in a trailer behind the building.
The DuPage County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the case.
"He is still considered a missing person," spokesman Dawn Domrose said.
John Spira's sister, Stephanie McNeil, has led several searches for him since his disappearance. She wasn't able to attend Monday's event, but recently was in the area filming footage for the TV show "Investigation Discovery."
She is surprised that two years later, her brother's whereabouts are still a mystery.
"I thought we would have some answers by now," she said.
Chris Arnold and his girlfriend, Jurate Zubinas, used to watch Spira play with his band, Rabble Rousers.
"He was a fun guy. He was great to hang out with," Arnold said.
Arnold on Monday tried to catch the attention of passing motorists with his sign, "It's been 2 years. Now what?"
He doesn't know what happened to Spira.
"How do you disappear without a trace?" Arnold said. "I hope he is still alive. Is there that one person out there who knows something?"
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