In the early evening of September 28, 1994, 20-year-old Gerald Frank Long, also known as Gerald Dutka, was going about a typical day in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After finishing his workday at Winnipeg Supply, he deposited his paycheck at 6:21 p.m., withdrawing $480 in cash. Later, he picked up his girlfriend for dinner at Sorrento's restaurant. After dropping her off around 8:45 p.m., he mentioned he was likely heading to the Premier Fitness Centre on McPhillips Street for a late-night workout, a routine he often followed. At 10:45 p.m., Gerald left his mother's home, presumably for the gym. His signature was later found on the gym's register, confirming his arrival, though it remains uncertain if he completed a workout or how long he stayed. This would be the last known trace of Gerald Frank Long. He was never seen or heard from again.
The hours following Gerald's disappearance were marked by a series of missed appointments and growing concern.
He had made arrangements to lend his van to a friend the next morning and was also planning to give his friend a ride to work and repay a $400 debt. However, Gerald never made the call to his friend and failed to show up for his 8:00 a.m. shift at work. As the day wore on, his family, girlfriend, and friends grew increasingly worried, as it was highly uncharacteristic of him to be out of contact. The investigation into his disappearance would soon uncover a troubling detail: the money in his bank account, which he had accessed on the day he vanished, remained untouched. His personal belongings, including his vehicle, were not found, leaving a void where a young man's life used to be. The absence of any communication or financial activity strongly indicated that he had not voluntarily left.
A significant and concerning element of Gerald's case is that in the days following his disappearance, he was scheduled to testify as a witness in the attempted murder trial of one of his friends. The trial was in connection with a stabbing that had occurred a year prior, an event Gerald had witnessed. Due to his failure to appear in court, and as the victim was unable to identify the attacker, the charges against his friend were ultimately dropped. This has led to speculation that his role as a witness may be connected to his disappearance. The Winnipeg Police Service has kept his case open, and he remains listed as a long-term missing person. The case of Gerald Frank Long is a story of a young man on the cusp of his adult life who vanished without a trace. The ordinary evening that preceded his disappearance offers few clues, leaving his loved ones with unanswered questions and a sense of profound loss that has endured for decades. The lack of a crime scene or any clear evidence has made the investigation incredibly challenging, turning his absence into a painful and unresolved mystery.Last Seen: Sep 28, 1994
