The person at the center of this case
Andrew Thomas Viater
Missing Person · Open
46 years waiting · since 1980
Missing Person: Andrew Thomas Viater
Justice for Andrew Thomas Viater — the trail went cold in 1980, but the truth hasn't.
Start here
Key leads to think about
🔍
evidence
Lead #1What happened to Andrew at the railroad tracks where his footprints abruptly ended?
👁️
witness
Lead #2Did anyone see Andrew that night or in the days following, particularly near the railroad tracks or in surrounding areas?
💡
clue
Lead #3Was Andrew carrying the brown or blue duffle bag mentioned in his description, and if so, where is it?
Andrew Thomas Viater, a 22-year-old man, disappeared from Ashland, Wisconsin on January 22, 1980, during a severe blizzard. His father heard the front door slam at 4 a.m., followed the footprints in the snow toward the railroad tracks, but the trail vanished at the tracks with no further trace. Nearly 45 years later, the circumstances of his disappearance remain unexplained, and investigators seek information about what happened that night.
Try asking
Claim this imported case
A one-time $10 claim transfers this imported case workspace to your account. You get 10 uploads for this case, 25 daily AI questions for this case, and public tips with files route to you.
10 uploads25 AI questions/day
This does not start a subscription. When the included limits are reached, the Personal plan unlocks more workspace capacity.
More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
⏰
timeline
Lead #4Why did Andrew leave his home at 4 a.m. during a severe blizzard without his glasses?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP20159. Missing person: Andrew Thomas Viater.
Last known contact: 1980-01-22 in Ashland, Ashland, WI. Circumstances: There was a blizzard that night and at 4 a.m., his dad heard the front door slam.
He looked outside and saw footprints in the snow. He followed the footprints off the porch and down the sidewalk.
The footprints turned right toward the railroad tracks, his dad followed the footprints. He got to the railroad tracks and then there was nothing.
Demographics: 22 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 10 in, 170 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: navy pea coat black seamans type hat, blue jeans and tee shirt. He could possibly be carrying a brown or blue duffle bag.; Eyewear: He is not wearing his glasses.; Footwear: soral boots.
Investigating agency: Ashland Police Department | 201-80 | 1980-01-24.
Timeline of Events
👤
1980-01-22
04:00Last Known Contact and Disappearance
At 4 a.m. during a blizzard, father heard front door slam. He observed footprints in snow leading from porch down sidewalk toward railroad tracks. Footprints disappeared at the railroad tracks with no further trace.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 22, 1980 at 4:00 AM
Last Updated:September 10, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 7156827062
You can remain anonymous
Leave a comment
Comments
Case Information
Incident:January 22, 1980 at 4:00 AM
Last Updated:September 10, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 7156827062
You can remain anonymous