On the evening of September 12, 1987, Dale Kerstetter, a 50-year-old security guard and maintenance man, began his weekend shift at the Corning Glassworks plant in Bradford, Pennsylvania, a place he had worked for over two decades. He was last seen at approximately 11:00 p.m. that night. The following morning, on September 13, a coworker arriving to relieve him discovered that Kerstetter was nowhere to be found. His lunch pail, keys, and a newspaper were left untouched in the cafeteria. In the parking lot sat his pickup truck with the keys still in the ignition, a full carton of cigarettes, his daypack, and the empty holster for his. 22-caliber pistol. The discovery of these personal items left behind suggested that he had not intended to leave.
It soon became apparent that more than just a man was missing; a significant amount of platinum pipe, valued at around $250,000, had also vanished from the facility.
An investigation into the plant's security footage revealed unsettling images from the night of Kerstetter's disappearance. The grainy video showed a masked individual inside the plant. At one point, Kerstetter is seen interacting with this unknown person in a corridor. Later footage captures the masked figure moving a large, heavy bag, leading to speculation that it could have contained either the stolen platinum or, tragically, Kerstetter's body. There were no signs of a forced entry or a struggle within the plant.
The circumstances surrounding Dale Kerstetter's disappearance have left investigators and his family with a complex and unanswered puzzle. Theories have diverged over the years, with some, including law enforcement and company officials, suggesting that Kerstetter may have been a willing participant in the robbery, citing financial difficulties he was reportedly experiencing at the time. His family, however, has consistently refuted this, describing him as a devoted father of six who would never have abandoned his children. They believe he was a victim of a crime, possibly killed during the heist. The case, which has been investigated by the Bradford Township Police, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI, remains open. Despite the passage of decades and the expiration of the statute of limitations for the theft, Dale Kerstetter has never been seen or heard from again, and the precious platinum has never been recovered, leaving a void of unanswered questions for his loved ones.Last Seen: Sep 13, 1987
