Russ Rolnick Missing Person Case

Russ Rolnick, a 26-year-old male, went missing on February 24, 1984, from Coconut Grove, Florida. On the day of his disappearance, Rolnick was with his friend, Alan Hirsch, on a 16-foot ski boat. The two had dinner at Monty Trainer's restaurant before departing around 6 p.m. to return home. Both men were described as possibly being under the influence of drugs, and they experienced trouble with the boat’s engine and lights during their trip.

Shortly after leaving the restaurant, their boat ran out of gas. They paddled to a nearby gas station, where Rolnick made a phone call to his ex-girlfriend, telling her he would be home by dark. However, neither Rolnick nor Hirsch was ever heard from again after that call. Their boat also vanished, and extensive search efforts covering thousands of miles across the Atlantic and the Caribbean yielded no signs of the men or their vessel.

Rolnick’s car, a black 1979 Datsun 280Z, was found parked near a waterfront restaurant. Despite the exhaustive search, authorities presumed that both men were lost at sea. Family and investigators have noted Rolnick's prior drug use, which had escalated in the months before his disappearance, adding further complexity to the case.
Last Seen: Feb 24, 1984

Missing Person / NamUs #MP28639

Russ Rolnick and Alan Hirsch

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