Police Seek Missing Local Musician, Writer

Chicago - Police are seeking the public's help in finding a local musician and writer who was reported missing after he was last seen Friday in his apartment in the South Side's McKinley Park neighborhood.

Christian "CT" Ballentine, 26, of the 3500 block of South Iron Street, was last seen in his apartment Friday at 3 p.m., according to friends.

A Chicago Police News Affairs release indicated he was last seen in the area near where he lives and said Ballentine frequents the Gold Coast neighborhood on the Near North Side and areas around his neighborhood.

News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro said Balletine remained missing early Monday.

Ballentine is active in the underground music and literary scene and his friends recently said he was "going through some difficult times." He was preparing for the launch of a performance series at the Logan Square neighborhood music venue and tavern The Whistler, slated for later Monday.

The News Affairs release said he is described as white, 6-foot, 135 pounds, with brown eyes and a "badly shaved head." He was last seen wearing a blue jean jacket and blue cut-off shorts with sweatpants underneath, according to the release. Ballentine also wears glasses.
He is a member of the indie folk band Cup'N'String and recently finished production on an album for the band Plan B. He works as a sound engineer at the music venues Ronny's and The Whistler.

Ballentine also co-edits THE2NDHAND, an online magazine, and was the founder and publisher of the now defunct Aftercrossword Special, a literary zine that includes fiction and art.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should call Wentworth Area detectives at (312) 747-8385.