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.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1Why did Andrew leave his home at 4 a.m. during a severe blizzard without his glasses?
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location
Lead #2What happened at the railroad tracks where the footprints ended—did he fall, was he struck by a train, or did he leave the area by other means?
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clue
Lead #3Was Andrew carrying the brown or blue duffle bag mentioned in his description, and if so, what was inside?
Andrew Thomas Viater, a 22-year-old man, disappeared from Ashland, Wisconsin on January 22, 1980, during a severe blizzard. His father witnessed him leave the house at 4 a.m. and followed his footprints in the snow, which led to the railroad tracks and then vanished. Despite decades of investigation, the circumstances of his disappearance remain unexplained—whether he fell, was struck by a train, or left the area intentionally.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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witness
Lead #4Were there any witnesses near the railroad tracks that night who might have seen or heard anything unusual?
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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
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1980-01-22
04:00Last seen leaving home
At 4 a.m. during a blizzard, Andrew's father heard the front door slam and saw footprints in the snow leading from the porch down the sidewalk toward the railroad tracks.
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1980-01-22
04:00Footprints end at railroad tracks
Father followed the footprints to the railroad tracks where they abruptly ended with no further trace.
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1980-01-24
Case reported
Ashland Police Department officially began investigation of the missing person case.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 22, 1980 at 4:00 AM
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
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Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 7156827062
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Case Information
Incident:January 22, 1980 at 4:00 AM
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 7156827062
You can remain anonymous