The brother of the man who claimed to be Timmothy Pitzen–a boy from Aurora who’s been missing for nearly eight years–told a reporter Thursday he wants to apologize to the vanished child’s family. Kate Chappell reports.
What to Know
- A boy appeared in Newport, Kentucky, on Wednesday, claiming to be missing child Timmothy Pitzen
- Timmothy's disappearance has remained a mystery since his mother took him out of school and traveled to multiple Midwest water parks in 2011
- She was found dead of an apparent suicide in a Rockford motel room and had left a note that the boy was safe but would never be found
The brother of the man who claimed to be Timmothy Pitzen--a boy from Aurora who's been missing for nearly eight years--told a reporter Thursday he wants to apologize to the vanished child's family.
Brian Rinni has a long criminal history. He is from Ohio and was just released from a prison less than a month ago, after serving time for burglary and vandalism.
Rinni told authorities in Newport, Kentucky he was the missing boy and escaped captivity. But, DNA test results ruled out that possibility and the FBI confirms the person in question is actually Brian Michael Rinni.
His estranged brother says he stopped getting treatment for his mental health issues. Jonathan Rini said he hasn't spoken to his brother, Brian, in four years.
"I'm not surprised, I mean, he's nuts," he said.
Brian Rini started parole in late March, just weeks before authorities say he claimed to be Pitzen.
Clearly frustrated, Jonathan Rini said his brother had gone down a bad path and suffers from mental health issues.
"He has Asperger's, bipolar disorder, ADHD, the list goes on,” he said.
Brian Rinni’s criminal record also includes an arrest and guilty verdict for passing bad checks, a probation violation, and a conviction for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
"I'd tell the family I’m sorry for what he’s done," Jonathan Rini said.
As for his brother?
"I wouldn’t even speak to him," he said.
