June 1, 2009

02/02/97: Franklin Gottschalk, 25, Lansing, MI


Franklin Gottschalk is still missing.

Franklin Thomas Gottschalk, 25, was last seen at his residence in Mason, Michigan on February 2, 1997. Gottschalk apparently drove off in his brother's car, a 1977 Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo, without permission. The car was later found in a parking lot at the corner of Grand River Avenue and Cedar Street in Lansing, Michigan, but .Gottschalk he has not turned up. 

Cyclists later found two bags belonging to Gottschalk on the Shiawassee Street bridge. The bags were missing Gottschalk's black leather jacket, his Detroit Lions coat, his wallet, and a watch his mother had given him. (The Detroit Lions coat was later found in a cornfield in the Mason area.) Divers searched the water beneath the bridge but found no clues. Franklin Gottschalk is still missing and his case remains unsolved.

According to VanceHolmes.com, "the missing student's parents, Adeline and David Gottschalk suspected there may have been a connection between their son and Ryan Getz’s case. In 1998, Adeline Gottschalk said, 'I don’t believe he is voluntarily missing. He would’ve called if he was alive . . . It’s still a mystery to me. Especially since I heard about the Getz boy, it makes me think something is going on.' She prophetically added, 'I hope it doesn’t continue, but if it does, you’ve got to stop and think.' "

About Franklin Gottschalk


Franklin Gottschalk had been an English major at Michigan State University. He was within three credits of graduating, but did not register for the upcoming semester (spring 1997) of classes. According The Charley Project, he may have been depressed at the time of his disappearance.

If you have any information, call the Eloy Police Department at 520-466-7324.


Facts of Interest
Name/age: Franklin Gottschalk, 25
DOB: February 2, 1972
Physical Description: 5'2", 150 pounds, brown eyes, straight brown hair (styled curly for photo)
Scar on left shoulder from bicycle accident. Scar on solar plexus.
Residence: Mason, MI (Ingram County)
Last seen: 2/2/97 Mason, MI, possibly near Shiawassee Street bridge
NamUs: https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/9159


Originally published 6/11/09. Last updated June 7, 2019.

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