The person at the center of this case
Michaela Joy Garecht
Missing Person · Closed - 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.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1David Misch was arrested in 2020 for Michaela's kidnapping and murder—what evidence led to his identification and arrest 32 years later?
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evidence
Lead #2Michaela's remains have never been located despite the murder conviction—where might they be and what forensic evidence was used to charge Misch?
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vehicle
Lead #3The suspect was driving an older model full-size car, possibly gold or tan 4-door—was this vehicle identified and connected to David Misch?
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 4-door sedan, fled with her. In December 2020, David Misch was arrested for her kidnapping and murder, though Michaela's remains have never been found.
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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 other witnesses at the Rainbow Market on that day who could provide additional details about the abduction or the suspect?
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
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1988-11-19
Michaela abducted
Michaela Joy Garecht 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.
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2020-12-21
Arrest of David Misch
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:July 2, 2026
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Phone: 5102937000
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Case Information
Incident:November 19, 1988
Last Updated:July 2, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5102937000
You can remain anonymous