Crime Solvers Central
CSC
287 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Donovan Rodriguez missing person case profile photo

Donovan Rodriguez Missing Person Case

Last seen in Fox Islands, Michigan on Jul 03, 1998

Victim Details

Oct 31, 2013

Jul 09, 2019

Donovan

Rodriguez

85

57

68 inches

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jul 03, 1998

Fox Islands

Michigan

Leelanau County

14462

Michigan State Police - Cadillac Post

Cadillac

Michigan

Wexford County

49601

Mike Fink

D/Sgt.

7711 U.S. 131, Michigan

2317796040

State

Law Enforcement

www.michigan.gov/msp

71-2315-98

1998-07-03

Michigan State Police - Cadillac Post

Brown

Brown

Brown

09/16/2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
On a summer evening, July 3, 1998, 57-year-old Donovan Rodriguez, a respected flight instructor from Northwestern Michigan College, boarded an Aero L-39 Albatros jet. He was the co-pilot for what was intended to be a practice flight for the upcoming National Cherry Festival Air show. At the controls was Don Schaller, the pilot. The two men were the sole occupants of the jet when it departed from Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan, at approximately 6:30 p.m. The flight was expected ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for Donovan Rodriguez, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Last Seen: Jul 03, 1998

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Housing Cases Summary Page - Department of Justice
  • News Flash • Press Releases

    • Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (3)

    It's been quite some time since Donovan Rodriguez and Donald Schaller vanished over Lake Michigan, a... ...Read More
    07/19/2024
    Anyone else find it strange that the plane disappeared without a trace over such a heavily trafficke... ...Read More
    10/23/2023
    Does anyone else find it strange how little debris was actually found after Donovan Rodriguez's plan... ...Read More
    02/16/2023
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for Donovan Rodriguez

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Missing Cases from Fox Islands, Michigan

    Donald Schaller missing person case in Fox Islands, Michigan

    Donald Schaller

    Missing: Jul 03, 1998
    On a summer evening, a 49-year-old man named Donald P. Schaller, prepared for a flight that would tr ...Read More