TOPIC: John Karr & PowerWurks -- Is this the right John Karr?
Some folks -- including the new domain registrar for PowerWurks.com -- are speculating on a link between John Mark Karr and the John Karr who once owned an organization called PowerWurks. The domain for PowerWurks.com has been re-registered in the name of someone who obviously thinks the two men are one in the same. However, there is ZERO evidence offered by anyone (at this point) to link John Mark Karr and PowerWurks.com. The circumstantial evidence shows that PowerWurks was at least a domain brought into existence on May 15, 1996. Shortly thereafter, a few UseNet posts offered assistance to youth and families -- and mentioned big plans to make the organization worldwide. Other than the announcements, three UseNet posts were associated with the domain name -- all from supposed children between the ages of 10 and 12 years of age. There was no further use of the domain, emails or UseNet noted after July,1996.

Here is the first known post from anyone associated with PowerWurks:

Date: Thurs, Mar 7 1996 12:00 am
Email: an516...@anon.penet.fi
Groups: alt.missing-kids
If it would help anyone on this newsgroup, I have the complete data base of
the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children. I downloaded it from
their website. Their URL is http://www.missingkids.org If you don't have web
access, I'd be glad to help.
My name is John Karr, creator of PowerWurks; a world wide support
organization for kids, teens and college students. At this time, it is an
e-mail based crisis feedback program. I have alot of plans for the future,
like an 800 hotline and more. All my plans revolve around kids. I am very
concerned about the well being of all young people. I'll do anything I can to
help find a missing child. I have 3 children of my own and I don't know what
I would do if they were taken from me.
Please don't hesitate to ask for my assistance. I can't send the huge data
base to you but I will share any information that might help you.
Please respond via e-mail to PowerWu...@aol.com
For quicker response, *don't* address e-mail to an516...@anon.penet.fi.
Sincerely,
John Karr
PowerWurks
Support/Feedback/Security
PowerWu...@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/powerwurks/index.htm

The second came two days later:

Date: Sat, Mar 9 1996 12:00 am
Email: powerwu...@aol.com (PowerWurks)
Loneliness is alot of things. I believe that a large part of loneliness revolves around an empty heart that needs to be filled with love. Of course, love comes in many forms. It can be a nice compliment from a friend. It can be in the form of a term of endearment. Best of all, it can
be in the form of a caring person saying, "I love you".
If you feel like no one cares about you, that's impossible because I care about you. If you are cared for and loved, you don't have to be lonely anymore. If we all stick together, we can conquer anything. You can find happiness and independence with a super self-esteem. A strong inner-self has to be born. Love can breathe life into your lonely soul. That is what I do everyday and I receive the same thing in return.
PowerWurks is a support organization for kids, teens and college students but all ages are welcome. We provide a safe and private environment where you can freely and comfortably express your thoughts and feelings on any subject. No subject is banned from discussion. All conversations are strictly confidential and that's a promise!!
Please respond via e-mail to PowerWu...@aol.com. Also, visit our website.
Sincerely,
John Karr
PowerWurks
Support/Feedback/Security
PowerWu...@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/powerwurks/index.htm

Then, three days later, another approach was offered:

Date: Tues, Mar 12 1996 12:00 am
Email: powerwu...@aol.com (PowerWurks)
Groups: alt.parents-teens
Dear Parents,
My name is John Karr and I am the father of three. I talk to kids
worldwide about their problems or just offer my friendship to a young
person who feels like the world has forgotten them. If I can help your
kids or you, in any way, please feel free to contact me.
Please respond via e-mail at PowerWu...@aol.com and visit our website.
Sincerely,
John Karr
PowerWurks
Support/Feedback/Security
PowerWu...@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/powerwurks/index.htm

Almost two weeks went by and then the following was posted:

Date: Sat, Mar 23 1996 12:00 am
Email: PowerWurks
Groups: alt.parents-teens
Dear Parents,
Of course you care about kids and so do I. My name is John Karr and I am
the father of three. If I can help your kids or you, in any way, please
feel free to contact me. I talk to kids worldwide about their problems or
just offer my friendshi p to a young person who feels like the world has
forgotten them.
I want to tell you about my organization, PowerWurks. PowerWurks is a
support organization for kids, teens and college students, that provides
personal response feedback on any subject they want to d iscuss. We provide
a safe and private environment where young people can freely and
comfortably express their thoughts and feelings on any subject. No subject
is banned from discussion. All conversat ions are strictly confidential and
that's a promise!!
At this time, it is an e-mail based advice and crisis program. I have alot
of plans for the future, like an 800 hotline and more. All my plans
revolve around kids.
Sincerely,
John Karr
PowerWurks
Support/Feedback/Security
PowerWu...@sonet.net
http://www.sonet.net/usr/powerwurks/index.htm

There was also a post on a different group on April 5, 1996:

Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 21:22:36 -0600
From: PowerWurks@sonet.net
http://www.sonet.net/usr/powerwurks/index.htm
PowerWurks is a worldwide support organization for kids, teens and college
students. Discuss or get advice on any topic. It's confidential and that's a
promise!!

Several "test" posts followed over the next two months. The chronology is May 17, 18, 21, 22, 23 & 24. In June, 1996, only two posts were made -- both on June 15. Then, on July 16, the following post was offered on two groups:

Date: Tues, Jul 16 1996 12:00 am
My name is John Karr and I'm starting to college in the fall, majoring
in elementary education. During the time I attend college, I will
substitute teach grades K-4 at my local elementary school and grades 5
and 6 in middle school. I've always wanted to teach kids. I am 31 and
the father of three young children. I would like to correspond with
other people who are either going to college to become an elementary
school teacher or with those who are already teaching in an elementary
school. I can't wait to be a part of such a wonderful profession! I
love children and I hope to have an impact on the lives of every child
I teach.
John Karr
j...@powerwurks.com

It may be worth noting that some of the "test" posts were unnamed -- just "test". A few were titled "PW test". The most interesting are those that included names -- Teresa, Suresh, Doyle, Imogene, George and Chiko Patel.

On another group, PowerWurks' John Karr posted tests for the following georgraphic locations: Berlioz, United Kingdom, Germany and Australia. One last "test" post was directed towards Yale. Is there a link between the PowerWurks test posts and the places John Mark Karr says he has visited -- Italy, Germany, Australia?

QUESTION: Is there ANY real evidence that John Mark Karr, who stands accused of JonBenet Ramsey's murder, is the same John Karr who once owned the PowerWurks.com domain?
ANSWER: I have seen NONE thus far. However, I have challenged the new owner of the domain to provide us with some evidence -- lest his/her accusations be brushed off like bad gossip in the local beauty parlor.

UPDATE: 8/18/06
Here is the reply from the so-called Mr. Truth, who registered the PowerWurks.com after John Mark Karr was arrested for JonBenet Ramsey's murder:

"While I admit I do not have 100% concrete evidence that John Karr of PowerWurks was indeed our John Mark Karr, it would have to be a pretty wild coincidence to have two John Karrs, both of whom being the exact same age, both of whom having three kids, both of whom working as teachers, and both of whom having a sick interest in children.

I'd say the link between the John Karrs is about 99%.
Mr. Truth"

I disagree with the 99%. However, there is more and more compelling evidence -- that makes the link look correct.