In the summer of 1990, 78-year-old Francis August Breit vanished from his home in Eagle River, Wisconsin. His disappearance went unnoticed for months until his son, after having no contact, filed a missing person report. Friends of Francis also confirmed that they had not seen or heard from him. Investigators learned that the last activity on his bank account, where his Social Security benefits were automatically deposited, was in July 1990.
With this information, authorities established his date of disappearance as July 1, 1990. He is classified as an endangered and disabled missing person.
Francis, who also went by the nicknames Frank and Frankie, and may have used the last name Knauer, was a man of routine and distinct habits. He was known to wear jumpsuits during the summer and snowmobile suits in the winter, often favoring the color red. Physically, he was described as a white male, standing between 5'2" and 5'7" and weighing between 120 and 130 pounds. He had gray hair, brown eyes, and wore eyeglasses. At the time he went missing, he had a full beard. Previous injuries, including healed fractures to his nose, right hand, and a leg, caused him to walk with a distinctive "bull-legged" gait. Those who knew him also described him as having "very strange habits," though specifics of these habits are not publicly detailed.
The investigation into Francis Breit's disappearance has been hampered by a lack of information and the significant amount of time that has passed. Despite the efforts of the Eagle River Police Department and the Oneida County Medical Examiner's Office, few details about what might have happened to him have emerged. The abrupt cessation of his bank account activity remains a key and concerning element of the case. Over the years, his case has remained open, a quiet and unresolved file in Vilas County. The overview of the case is that of an elderly man who seemingly vanished without a trace, his pension ceasing to be collected, and his whereabouts unknown, leaving behind only a few personal details and the lingering question of his fate.Last Seen: Jul 1, 1990
