CrimeOwl AI logoCrimeOwl AI
CasesBlogPricingAboutLaw Enforcement
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Cases
  4. /
  5. Missing Person: Michaela Joy Garecht
Back to CasesMore Cases
Michaela Joy Garecht

The person at the center of this case

Michaela Joy Garecht

Case
#2610
SourceNamus MissingUpdated Jun 24, 2026
Hayward Police Department
Missing Person · Unsolved - Suspect Arrested
37 years waiting · since 1988

Missing Person: Michaela Joy Garecht

Justice for Michaela Joy Garecht — the trail went cold in 1988, but the truth hasn't.

Start here

Key leads to think about

🎯
suspect
Lead #1

David Misch was arrested in 2020 for Michaela's kidnapping and murder—what evidence led to his identification after 32 years?

🔍
evidence
Lead #2

Michaela's remains have never been located—where might investigators focus search efforts based on Misch's known movements or properties?

🚗
vehicle
Lead #3

The suspect was driving an older model full-size sedan, possibly gold or tan colored—has this vehicle been recovered or identified?

Michaela Joy Garecht, a 9-year-old girl, was abducted on November 19, 1988, while trying to retrieve her scooter from a stranger in front of the Rainbow Market in Hayward, California. The suspect, described as a young man with a pock-marked face and dirty blonde hair driving an older gold or tan sedan, fled with her and she has never been found. In December 2020, David Misch was arrested for her kidnapping and murder, though Michaela's remains remain undiscovered and the case continues to seek closure for her family.

Case
#2610
SourceNamus MissingUpdated Jun 24, 2026
Hayward Police Department

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.

👁️
witness
Lead #4

Were there any witnesses at the Rainbow Market or nearby who saw the abduction or the suspect's vehicle that could provide additional details?

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 MP49. Missing person: Michaela Joy Garecht.

Last known contact: 1988-11-19 in Hayward, Alameda, CA. Circumstances: Michaela was abducted by an unknown individual while trying to retrieve her scooter from him in front of the Rainbow Market on Mission Boulevard in Hayward, California.

The suspect was between 18 - 24 years with a slender build. He had a pock marked or pimpled face and dirty blonde hair.

He was driving an older model full-size car, possibly a gold or tan 4-door. On 12-21-2020, David Misch was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Michaela.

Michaela's remains have not been located. Demographics: 9 years, Female, White / Caucasian.

Physical description: 4 ft 8 in, 75 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Blue. Clothing and accessories: Clothing: White t-shirt with Metro written across the front and images of people imprinted on the midsection, pant or shorts, flesh-colored nylons.; Footwear: Black cloth shoes with brown plastic soles.; Jewelry: 3" Pearl-colored or white earrings which resembled feathers..

Investigating agency: Hayward Police Department | 88112127.

Timeline of Events

👤
1988-11-19

Michaela Garecht abducted

9-year-old Michaela Joy Garecht was abducted by an unknown individual while attempting to retrieve her scooter in front of the Rainbow Market on Mission Boulevard in Hayward, California. Suspect was 18-24 years old with slender build, pock-marked face, dirty blonde hair, driving an older model full-size gold or tan 4-door sedan.

🕵️
2020-12-21

Arrest in Michaela's case

David Misch was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Michaela Joy Garecht.

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:November 19, 1988
Last Updated:June 25, 2026

Have Information?

Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.

Phone: 5102937000
You can remain anonymous

Leave a comment

Comments

Case Information

Incident:November 19, 1988
Last Updated:June 25, 2026

Have Information?

Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.

Phone: 5102937000
You can remain anonymous