The Enduring Mystery of the Christopher Matthew Kerze Disappearance

On April 20, 1990, 17-year-old Christopher Matthew Kerze vanished from his home in Eagan, Minnesota, leaving behind a trail of questions that linger to this day.

What started as an ordinary Friday—Christopher staying home from school with a headache—quickly spiraled into one of Minnesota’s most perplexing missing person cases.

When his mother returned home that afternoon, the family’s blue 1988 Dodge Caravan was gone, along with Christopher.

A note on the counter read:

“Mom, something important came up + feeling somewhat better. Back by six. (Unless I get lost.)”

The word “lost” was underlined twice, a detail that still haunts investigators and his family. He never returned.

The next day, a handwritten letter postmarked from Duluth, Minnesota, arrived at the Kerze home. In it, Christopher confessed he’d faked his illness to take the van and intended to end his life, apologizing for the pain he’d cause.

He’d withdrawn $200 from his savings and taken his father’s Mossberg 20-gauge shotgun—though, oddly, no ammunition. Two days later, the van turned up abandoned near Grand Rapids, Minnesota, close to his grandparents’ home, with the keys inside and a note identifying its owner.

Despite extensive searches, no trace of Christopher or the gun has ever been found.

Was it suicide, as police suspect, or something more? Strange phone calls with party noise plagued his family for months after, and a 2004 anonymous letter claimed he’d return when ready—a hoax, authorities say.

An honor student and National Merit Scholar semi-finalist, Christopher showed no overt signs of distress, making his disappearance even more baffling.

Thirty-five years later, his parents still hope for answers.

If you know anything about Christopher Matthew Kerze’s fate, contact the Eagan Police Department at 651-675-5700. Somewhere, a truth waits to be uncovered.

Haymanut Kasau Missing Person Case: One Year Later, Still No Answers

The Disappearance of Haymanut Kasau

On February 25, 2024, a 9-year-old Ethiopian-Israeli girl named Haymanut Kasau disappeared from an absorption center in Safed, Israel, leaving her family and community in anguish. 

Now, one year later, on February 25, 2025, the mystery surrounding her vanishing persists, with no solid leads despite extensive searches and public outcry. 

This article dives into the details of the Haymanut Kasau missing person case, the latest updates, and the ongoing efforts to bring her home.

Who Is Haymanut Kasau?

Haymanut Kasau immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia with her family three years prior to her disappearance. Living at the Jewish Agency absorption center in Safed, she was last seen on security footage at 7:45 p.m. on February 25, 2024, distributing municipal election leaflets. 

Described as 1.20 meters (3’11”) tall, slim, with dark hair and eyes, she wore pink pants, a black skirt, and a white shirt that evening. Haymanut turned 10 in April 2024, a bittersweet milestone marked without her presence.

The Day She Vanished: What Happened on February 25, 2024?

Haymanut’s disappearance unfolded on an ordinary Sunday evening. After returning from a school trip around 4:00 p.m., she spent time with friends at the absorption center. 

Security footage captured her at the entrance at 7:45 p.m., but after that, she vanished without a trace. Her family reported her missing when she failed to return home, sparking an immediate response from the Israel Police and volunteers.

Initial searches focused on the absorption center and surrounding areas, with over 1,200 volunteers joining efforts in the days that followed.

Despite the use of canine units, drones, and advanced technology, no evidence of her whereabouts surfaced—a fact that has baffled investigators and deepened the mystery.

Key Developments in the Haymanut Kasau Case

Over the past year, several notable developments have kept the case in the spotlight.

Witness Testimony: In August 2024, Haymanut’s father, Tesfaye Kasau, told the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs that a friend of his daughter witnessed a man with sidelocks grab Haymanut and flee.

The same man reportedly attempted to abduct the friend, who escaped. However, police dismissed this account, stating it was investigated and ruled out.

Suspect Vehicle: In September 2024, a court allowed police to seize a vehicle linked to a suspect. The car had been repainted, with modified wheels, headlights, and a bolted rear door—raising suspicions. Yet, no definitive connection to Haymanut has been confirmed.

Reward Offers: The Jewish Agency offered a 100,000-shekel ($27,500) reward for information leading to her location, supplemented by a 10,000-shekel ($2,750) reward from the Committee for Ethiopian Jews. Despite these incentives, no breakthroughs have emerged.

Ethiopia Investigation: In February 2025, reports surfaced that police were considering sending a team to Ethiopia to explore possible leads, though specifics remain unclear.

Public Advocacy: On the one-year anniversary, a protest rally outside the Knesset demanded the case be reclassified as a kidnapping to unlock more resources. Haymanut’s father has repeatedly urged authorities to escalate their efforts.

Why Hasn’t Haymanut Kasau Been Found?

The lack of progress in the Haymanut Kasau missing person case has frustrated her family and the public. Several factors may explain the ongoing mystery:

Limited Evidence: Despite extensive searches, no physical clues—like clothing or personal items—have been found, an anomaly in such a heavily trafficked urban area.

Disputed Witness Accounts: The police’s rejection of the kidnapping testimony has sparked debate about whether all leads were adequately pursued.

Resource Constraints: Critics argue that the case, while a priority, hasn’t received the full investigative weight it deserves, especially compared to high-profile abductions.

Police maintain they’ve exhausted all technological and investigative avenues, with Chief Superintendent Tomer Pinchi stating in February 2025 that “no further action could have been taken” even if classified as a kidnapping.

Yet, the absence of answers continues to fuel speculation and concern.

The Family’s Plea and Community Response

Haymanut’s disappearance has taken a profound toll on her family. Her father, Tesfaye, has publicly shared their despair: “It has disrupted our entire lives, and we can’t go on without her.” Younger siblings now fear leaving the house, a stark reminder of the emotional ripple effect.

The Ethiopian-Israeli community and volunteers nationwide have rallied around the Kasaus. Mass searches, like the one organized by the family in April 2024, reflect a collective refusal to let Haymanut’s case fade into obscurity.

Social media campaigns with hashtags like #FindHaymanut keep her story alive, urging anyone with information to come forward.

How You Can Help Find Haymanut Kasau

The public’s role remains critical. If you have any information about Haymanut’s whereabouts, contact the Israel Police hotline at 100 or the Safed Police Department at 04-6978444. Even the smallest tip could crack this case wide open.

A Case That Can’t Be Forgotten

One year after Haymanut Kasau vanished, her absence looms large over Safed and beyond. The unresolved nature of her disappearance underscores the need for continued vigilance and resources.

As her father insists, “She is alive as long as no one says otherwise.” Let’s keep the pressure on—because Haymanut deserves to be found.

For the latest updates on the Haymanut Kasau missing person case, bookmark this page or explore our related articles on missing persons. Together, we can help bring her home.

Alain Kan: The Unsolved Disappearance of a French Glam Rock Icon in 1990

Let’s dive into one of music’s enduring mysteries: the disappearance of Alain Kan, a French singer whose eclectic career and enigmatic exit from the public eye still captivate fans and curious minds alike. 

Born Alain Michel Zisa in Paris on September 14, 1944, Kan carved out a unique path in the French music scene. Starting with chanson-pop singles in the 1960s, he later reinvented himself as a glam rock provocateur, drawing inspiration from icons like David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Marc Bolan after a transformative stint in London during the 1970s.

Kan’s career peaked with albums like Et Gary Cooper s’éloigna dans le désert… (1975) and Heureusement en France on ne se drogue pas (1976), blending theatrical flair with a punk edge that made him a cult figure. 

His meeting with Bowie at Château d’Hérouville—where he famously recounted being whisked away in a black Mercedes for ten days—only added to his mystique. But on April 14, 1990, Alain Kan vanished without a trace. Last seen at the Rue de la Pompe metro station in Paris, his disappearance remains an unresolved puzzle.

Was it a deliberate retreat from the spotlight? A tragic end? Theories abound, but no concrete answers have surfaced. French authorities declared him legally dead in 2000, yet the lack of closure keeps his story alive.

Kan’s legacy—his bold music, his unapologetic individuality—lingers like an unfinished song. What do you think happened to him? Share your thoughts below, and let’s keep the conversation going about this fascinating, lost voice of French music.

Pearl Jam Trials And Success Of The Grunge Titans Documentary

Since their explosive debut with the multi-platinum album Ten in 1991, Pearl Jam has solidified their place as one of the greatest rock bands in the world.

Led by Eddie Vedder, the band has continually evolved their sound while also challenging the more inequitable aspects of the music industry.

Even after two decades, Pearl Jam remains dedicated to pushing musical boundaries and staying deeply committed to their fans.

This documentary, featuring interviews with the band, insights from their closest collaborators and top rock writers, along with rare and classic performance footage, stands as the ultimate tribute to this legendary rock group.

Hype! The History of Grunge Documentary

Hype! directed by Doug Pray, explores the rise of grunge rock in the United States during the early to mid-1990s.

This documentary film features interviews and rare concert footage, tracing the evolution of the grunge scene from its humble beginnings in neighborhood basements to its explosion into mainstream pop culture.

Hype seeks to debunk some of the myths surrounding the genre that were fueled by media exaggeration, offering a perspective from those who were directly involved in the scene.

The documentary takes a satirical approach to these myths while also acknowledging the role media hype played in bringing some of these once-obscure bands into the spotlight.