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Daniel Maleska Missing Person Case

Last seen in Grand Rapids, Minnesota on May 25, 1987

Victim Details

Nov 18, 2011

Jan 9, 2024

Daniel

Maleska

71

32

69 inches

175 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

May 25, 1987

Grand Rapids

Minnesota

Itasca County

No

31091

Itasca County Sheriff's Office

Grand Rapids

Minnesota

Itasca County

55744

440 NE 1st Avenue, Minnesota

2183263477

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.co.itasca.mn.us/223/Sheriffs-Office

87002625

Itasca County Sheriff's Office

Unknown

Blue

Blue

Oct 1, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP12979) and 10 other sources
Daniel Patrick Maleska, 32, was last seen on May 25, 1987, during an annual fishing trip near Gunflint Lake in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He had traveled from his home in Princeton, Minnesota, to the remote area for a camping and fishing trip with his brother and a group of 13 other men. The trip was a yearly tradition, and the men were experienced outdoorsmen who enjoyed roughing it in the wilderness. However, during the early hours of May 25, Maleska disappeared without a trace.

His canoe was later found floating in the water with his fishing gear undisturbed inside, suggesting something unusual had occurred. Despite extensive searches of the surrounding lake and forest, no trace of Maleska has ever been found. Theories about his disappearance range from accidental drowning to the possibility that he may have staged his own disappearance, though there is no concrete evidence to support any of these speculations. Maleska had known medical issues, adding to concerns about his safety at the time.

The case remains unsolved more than three decades later, with no new leads or discoveries. The Itasca County Sheriff's Office continues to seek any information that may shed light on Maleska’s mysterious disappearance.
Last Seen: May 25, 1987

Links to Additional Sources (10)

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  • Daniel Maleska : r/thevanishedpodcast - Reddit
  • Daniel Patrick Maleska - The Charley Project
  • Unsolved Cold Cases - Daniel Patrick Maleska
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • EPISODE 421: Daniel Maleska - The Vanished Podcast
  • On Friday, May 15, 1987, 32-year-old Daniel Maleska left his home ...
  • Daniel Patrick Maleska, 32, Grand Rapids, 25 May 1987 | Websleuths
  • [PDF] Daniel Maleska - DPS Application Portal Home
  • On Friday, May 15, 1987, 32-year-old Daniel Maleska left ...
  • Daniel Maleska - The Vanished Podcast

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    76%Possible
    John Doe — Battle Lake, Minnesota - unidentified case UP16212
    John Doe — Battle Lake, Minnesota
    UP16212 • Found May 1, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–55 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 70%123 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 175 lb
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (2)

    Has anyone looked into the psychological state of Daniel Patrick Maleska before he went missing? I... ...Read More
    09/08/2023
    Has anyone looked into the weather conditions on the morning Daniel Maleska went missing? I know... ...Read More
    01/23/2023

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