In the winter of 2007, a 56-year-old man named Gerald Rihlmann, known affectionately to some as 'Jerry Bones,' vanished from the streets of Linden, New Jersey. The exact date of his disappearance is unclear, with some accounts suggesting he was last heard from on Christmas Day of 2006 when he contacted emergency medical services in Linden. Other information indicates his last known contact was on December 25, 2007.
At the time he went missing, Gerald was experiencing homelessness, often moving between the New Jersey cities of Linden, Rahway, Elizabeth, and Roselle. Despite the challenges he faced, he maintained connections with his family, who grew deeply concerned when he broke his usual pattern of getting in touch every few weeks. His family noted that he always made an effort to be present for celebrations, making his silence all the more alarming.
Gerald is described as a white male, standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 140 pounds, with blue eyes and graying hair that he sometimes wore shoulder-length along with a gray beard and mustache. He has several distinguishing marks, including a scar on his right finger and another on his right forearm. Additionally, he has numerous tattoos covering both of his arms. One account of his last known movements places him in Rahway, New Jersey, on July 4, 2007. It is believed he was admitted to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway, possibly after suffering from a seizure, a condition he periodically experienced. He was reportedly discharged from the hospital a few days later, and from that point on, all communication from him ceased.
The Linden Police Department opened an investigation into Gerald's disappearance, but the years have passed without any resolution. His case is a quiet but poignant reminder of the many individuals who disappear from vulnerable populations. At the time he went missing, he was a brother whose family awaited his calls and his presence at family gatherings. The conflicting dates of his last contact add a layer of complexity to the investigation, a common challenge in cases where individuals lack a permanent residence. The overview of this case is one of a man who, despite his transient lifestyle, had familial connections that were abruptly severed, leaving a void of unanswered questions and a search for a man known as Jerry Bones that has stretched over many years.Last Seen: Dec 25, 2007
