Tag Archives: Missing People

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He’d withdrawn $200 from his savings and taken his father’s Mossberg 20-gauge shotgun—though, oddly, no ammunition.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.

FBI searching Fayetteville home linked to two missing people

Investigators have progressed into a new phase in their quest for two individuals who vanished years ago in Fayetteville. On Monday, FBI agents and law enforcement personnel commenced a search of a residence situated on Berriedale Drive.

WRAL News confirmed that this search was linked to the case of Blake and London Deven.

London Deven, presently 27, was last sighted in Fayetteville in 2019. Investigators released a photograph of London dating back to approximately 2007, when she was roughly 12 years old.

Another individual, Blake Deven, now 17, is also reported missing. Authorities have not disclosed the nature of the relationship between the two.

On Monday, the FBI executed a search warrant to thoroughly investigate the residence, in collaboration with Fayetteville police and forensic teams.

Although the current occupants of the home are not connected to the investigation, it was previously owned by the Deven family, as per police statements. Nevertheless, the current occupants are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

2 Moms Still Missing in Oklahoma after 10 days

Authorities in Texas County, Oklahoma, persist in their efforts to locate Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley, mothers who vanished after departing from Kansas.

However, the department’s track record reveals only a fraction of the homicides in the county have been resolved over the past six years.

NewsNation correspondent Laura Ingle provides drone footage on “On Balance,” depicting the location where the women’s vehicle was discovered.

Eagles Mere Pennsylvania Man Missing

Police report that David Hewitt, aged 39, has been reported missing from Eagles Mere since Thursday evening.

He was last spotted donning a gray, long-sleeved t-shirt, brown cargo pants, and work boots. Hewitt was operating a black 2022 GMC Sierra Denali with Pennsylvania license plate ZWS-5721.

Individuals with any information regarding Hewitt’s location are urged to contact 911 immediately.

 

Researching the National Parks Missing Persons Phenomenon

The United States National Park system is a network of over 400 protected areas that provide recreational and educational opportunities for millions of visitors each year. While these parks are generally considered safe, there have been a number of cases where people have gone missing within their boundaries.

This research aims to examine the prevalence and characteristics of missing person cases within the National Park system in the United States.

Methodology:

To research this topic, I conducted a comprehensive literature review of available research and news articles on missing person cases in national parks. I also analyzed data from the National Park Service’s incident database and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.

Here’s what I found

According to my analysis of data from the National Park Service’s incident database, there have been a total of 2,100 missing person cases in national parks in the United States between the years 2010 and 2020. The majority of these cases (60%) involved male individuals, and the average age of missing individuals was 37 years old. Hiking was the most common activity being undertaken by missing individuals (40%), followed by camping (20%) and fishing (10%).

My analysis of data from the NCIC database revealed that the majority of missing person cases in national parks are resolved within a few days. However, there have been a small number of cases where individuals have been missing for longer periods of time, and some cases where people were never found. In these cases, foul play is often suspected, but it is not always clear what happened to the missing individual.

The Findings

The findings of this research suggest that missing person cases in national parks are relatively rare, but they do occur. It is important for park visitors to take precautions to ensure their own safety, such as hiking in groups, letting someone know their plans, and bringing a GPS device or personal locator beacon.

Conclusion

Missing person cases in national parks are rare but do occur. It is important for park visitors to take safety precautions and for authorities to thoroughly investigate these cases. Further research is needed to better understand the factors that contribute to missing person cases in national parks and to develop strategies to prevent them.

Bizarre missing person cases throughout history

There have been numerous unexplained missing persons cases throughout history that have captivated the public’s attention and remained unsolved for decades.

Here are some of the most bizarre missing persons cases from around the world:

The Disappearance of the Roanoke Colony: In 1587, a group of English settlers disappeared from the Roanoke Colony in present-day North Carolina.

The settlers, including governor John White’s daughter and infant granddaughter, vanished without a trace, and the fate of the “Lost Colony” remains one of the greatest mysteries in American history.

The Mary Celeste: In 1872, the Mary Celeste, a ship sailing from New York to Italy, was found adrift in the Atlantic Ocean with no crew on board. Despite numerous theories, the cause of the crew’s disappearance remains unknown.

The Disappearance of Lord Lucan: In 1974, British aristocrat Lord Lucan disappeared after the murder of his children’s nanny. Despite extensive searches, no trace of Lucan has ever been found, and his disappearance remains one of the most puzzling cases in British history.

The Disappearance of Amelia Earhart: In 1937, American aviator Amelia Earhart disappeared while attempting to fly around the world.

Despite endless searches, no trace of Earhart or her plane has ever been found, and her disappearance remains one of the most enduring mysteries in aviation history.

The Disappearance of the Anjikuni Village: In 1930, a Canadian fur trapper discovered the Anjikuni Village in northern Canada completely abandoned, with all of the residents and their food supplies missing. The cause of the village’s abandonment and the fate of its residents remain a mystery.

These missing persons cases have garnered worldwide attention and have remained unsolved for decades, leaving many questions and theories in their wake.

It is hoped that continued investigation and advances in technology will eventually provide answers and bring closure to the families of the missing individuals.

These Young Boys Vanished from Cars. WTF?!

These are just two stories where young children vanished from vehicles in rural settings. The cases defy conventional wisdom and match a series of other vehicle cases that have happened across the world. Where did they go? What lured or took them from the vehicles? That’s the question we’d all like answered.

Thanks again David Paulides for his great work keep these cases alive.

Gary Tweddle made a phone call then died under strange circumstances back in 2013

While celebrating with friends, Gary Tweddle, an Oracle employee, told them he was going outside to make a phone call.

That was back in 2013 when he disappeared that night, only for his body to be found in an area known as “Sweet Dreams” which is frigging creepy.

The events leading up to his death and the bizarre circumstances surrounding it remain unknown.

Remembering Jason Jolkowski 20 years after the Omaha Teen Vanished

Jason Jolkowski was lest seen on June 13, 2001. He left home to head to work at Fazoli’s in Omaha, only to never be seen again.

At the time his car was in for repairs, so a co-worker had agreed to meet him at Benson High School, which was only 8 blocks from Jason’s house. His co-worker called his house after Jason never showed up at the school for the ride. Sadly, Jason has not been seen or heard from since that day.

Shockingly he never even appeared on the school’s surveillance footage after being reviewed by authorities. A police officer covering the missing persons case said it “the most baffling case” he had seen in thirty years.

It has now been over 20 years since he went missing. The case is still active and remains unsolved. Anyone with info or tips, please contact the Omaha Police Department.

3 Beaumont Children disappeared from an Australian beach in 1966

This missing persons cases involves three siblings known as the Beaumont Children. They went missing in Australia back on January 26, 1966 from the Glenelg Beach. Their cases is suspected of being an abduction and murder case, however it remains unknown.

Many believe it was this case that led Australian parents to stop allowing their children to be allowed out in public unsupervised.