The person at the center of this case
Michaela Joy Garecht
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.
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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 after 32 years?
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evidence
Lead #2Michaela's remains have never been located—where might investigators focus search efforts based on Misch's known movements or properties?
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vehicle
Lead #3The 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.
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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 at the Rainbow Market or nearby who saw the abduction or the suspect's vehicle that could provide additional details?
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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 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.
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2020-12-21
Arrest in Michaela's case
David Misch was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Michaela Joy Garecht.
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:November 19, 1988
Last Updated:June 25, 2026
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Phone: 5102937000
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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