Account
Dec 24, 2012
Dec 20, 2023
Robert
Fitzgerald
72
60
74 inches
160 lbs
170 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
In the autumn of 2012, 60-year-old Robert Ray "Bobby" Fitzgerald, a resident of Staunton, Virginia, vanished without a trace. An avid and experienced hiker, Fitzgerald was known for his physical fitness and his love of the outdoors. On Sunday, November 11, 2012, he went for a three-mile hike on Shenandoah Mountain with a friend. During this outing, he unfortunately lost his cell phone and a shirt. It is believed that on the following day, Monday, November 12, Fitzgerald returned to the mountain alone to search for his lost belongings, specifically on the Confederate Breastworks Trail. He was never seen or heard from again. His disappearance was not immediately noticed, as he was not reported missing until November 15, when he failed to show up for work. Once alerted, authorities quickly located Fitzgerald's 2001 Kia in the parking lot at the trailhead of the Confederate Breastworks. Inside the vehicle, they discovered his trail pack which contained essentials for a hike such as power bars, water bottles, a flashlight, and rain gear. This discovery led investigators to believe he may not have intended to be gone for an extended period. Tragically, it was later learned that another hiker had already found his lost cell phone, meaning his return trip to the mountain was unnecessary. In the days and weeks that followed, extensive search and rescue operations were launched. Over 200 personnel, including law enforcement, search and rescue teams, and community volunteers, scoured more than 4,500 acres of rugged terrain. The search efforts involved K-9 units, horseback teams, and even a state police helicopter, but no sign of Fitzgerald was ever found. The complete lack of evidence has made this a perplexing and enduring mystery. Despite numerous searches over the years, not a single clue to Fitzgerald's whereabouts has been uncovered. Friends of Fitzgerald even offered a substantial $50,000 reward for any information that could lead to his discovery, but disappointingly, not a single tip was received. The case remains unsolved, leaving his family and the community with unanswered questions. Robert Fitzgerald's disappearance is a somber reminder of how quickly a person can vanish, even in a familiar environment, and it marked the first instance in over four decades in Augusta County where a missing person was not found, either alive or deceased.
Nov 12, 2012
Staunton
Virginia
Augusta County
12836
Augusta County Sheriff's Office
Verona
Virginia
Augusta County
24482
Aaron LeVeck
Lieutenant
127 Lee Hwy, Virginia
5402455333
County
Law Enforcement
2012-11-15
Augusta County Sheriff's Office
Sandy
Blue
Blue
06/12/2026
