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Andrew Viater Missing Person Case

Last seen in Ashland, Wisconsin on Jan 22, 1980

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Victim Details

May 3, 2013

May 19, 2022

Andrew

Viater

68

22

70 inches

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jan 22, 1980

Ashland

Wisconsin

Ashland County

22561

Ashland Police Department

Ashland

Wisconsin

Ashland County

54806

Gerald Katchka

Detective

414 11th Avenue West, Wisconsin

7156827062

Local

Law Enforcement

201-80

Jan 24, 1980

Ashland Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 6, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP20159) and 11 other sources
Andrew "Andy" Viater, 22 years old, was last seen at his family’s home in Ashland, Wisconsin, on January 22, 1980. The night he disappeared, a blizzard was occurring, and around 4:00 a.m., his father heard the front door slam. When his father went to investigate, he noticed footprints leading from the house to nearby railroad tracks. However, the footprints stopped at the tracks, and there was no further trace of Andrew.

At the time of his disappearance, Andrew was struggling with psychological issues, likely stemming from his time serving in the U.S. Navy. He may have been wearing a navy pea coat, a sailor's hat, and carrying a duffle bag. Despite extensive searches and ongoing investigations, Andrew's fate remains a mystery. Investigators have continued to reexamine the case over the years, but no conclusive evidence has emerged to explain his disappearance.

Authorities and his family remain hopeful for any information that could bring closure to the case, but Andrew’s whereabouts have been unknown for over 40 years.
Last Seen: Jan 22, 1980

Links to Additional Sources (11)

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  • 4715DMWI - Andrew Thomas Viater - Doe Network
  • Andrew Thomas Viater - Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy Inc's
  • Andrew Viater | Clearinghouse for Missing
  • Ashland man's disappearance 28 years ago still baffles police
  • Andrew Viater is... - Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy
  • Andrew Viater | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Andrew Thomas Viater has been missing for 46 years today. He was ...
  • WI - Andrew “Andy” Thomas Viater, 22, Ashland, 22 Jan 1980 | Page 2
  • Andrew Thomas Viater has been missing 1/22/1980 from Ashland ...
  • What happened to Andrew 'Andy' Viater in Ashland, Wisconsin?
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP20159

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    75%Possible
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota
    UP124186 • Found Sep 25, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 22 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 63%160 mi away
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%156 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Andrew Andy Viater was 22 when he was last seen at his family’s home in Ashland, Wisconsin, on... ...Read More
    11/14/2024

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