The person at the center of this case
Michael Gerard Ritter
Missing Person · Open / Unsolved
29 years waiting · since 1996
Missing Person: Michael Gerard Ritter
Justice for Michael Gerard Ritter — the trail went cold in 1996, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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location
Lead #1Why was the sailboat 'Wind Song' found aground on the beach inside Deep Bay's mouth, and what caused it to run aground?
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evidence
Lead #2What physical evidence was recovered from the sailboat that might explain Michael's disappearance?
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clue
Lead #3Were there any witnesses in the Deep Bay area who saw Michael or the sailboat on October 5, 1996?
Michael Gerard Ritter, a 38-year-old man, went missing on October 5, 1996, from his sailboat 'Wind Song' near Cordova, Alaska, after the vessel was found aground on a beach inside Deep Bay's mouth. Despite an extensive search operation, Michael was never located and the circumstances of his disappearance remain unknown. The case remains unsolved, and investigators continue to seek information about what happened to him that day.
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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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timeline
Lead #4What is the exact timeline between Michael's last contact and when the sailboat was discovered aground?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP56349. Missing person: Michael Gerard Ritter.
Last known contact: 1996-10-05 in Cordova, Chugach, AK. Circumstances: Missing from sailboat 'Wind Song' that was found aground on a beach just inside the mouth of Deep Bay.
Despite an extensive search, Michael was never located. Demographics: 38 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 7 in, 150 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown. Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Brown shirt Gray sweatpants; Footwear: Brown hiking boots; Jewelry: Gold 'Ducks Unlimited' watch\ Gold wedding ring.
Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 960070158 | 1996-10-07.
Timeline of Events
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1996-10-05
Michael Gerard Ritter goes missing
Michael Gerard Ritter was last known to be in contact on October 5, 1996, in Cordova, Chugach, Alaska. He was aboard his sailboat 'Wind Song'.
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1996-10-07
Alaska State Troopers begin investigation
Alaska State Troopers initiated investigation into the disappearance (Case #960070158). The sailboat 'Wind Song' was found aground on a beach just inside the mouth of Deep Bay.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:October 5, 1996
Last Updated:July 27, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:October 5, 1996
Last Updated:July 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous