Katie Johnson: Public’s help crucial in missing person cases

Published 7:57 pm Wednesday, July 14, 2010

JohnsonThey say bad news comes in threes, and I hope that won’t be the case in this situation.

A second missing person has been reported in the area, this time in Cassopolis, its police department announced Tuesday.

Charles Wagner, 43, has been missing since July 4.

Cassopolis Village Police Chief Frank Williams said all interviews in their investigation have led to “dead ends.”

He explained that Wagner has been known to be missing for a while – this was not just discovered now.

Having exhausted their resources, law enforcement is seeking the public’s help.

Wagner, affectionately known as “Chuckles” to some friends, could sometimes be seen sporting a cowboy hat.

He is known as a friendly guy who likes to have a good time.

Wagner walks around town, but does not drive.

He is mentally impaired and very soft-spoken. He is white, 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds.

The public can be the key in located missing persons.

Law enforcement often releases information and photos in efforts to dig up tips in investigations as well as missing person cases.

The public’s help has also been sought in a very well-known local case, the murders of John and Carolyn Tarwacki.

Although tips have poured in from the public, police said most have proved to be either fabricated or dead ends; however, tips helped identify a vehicle of interest allegedly spotted in the area around the time of the murders.

The public is urged to contact the State Police-Niles Post with any information on that case.
Information is also sought in the first missing person case from last weekend.

A 91-year-old woman, Mary Schulz, went missing from the Brentwood Assisted Living Facility in Niles.

She was located in a dense wooded area off the 1200 block of S. Third Street in Niles.

Schulz is believed to have left Brentwood on S. Third Street at approximately 4 p.m.

Thursday, and was found at 9:45 a.m. Saturday in good physical health.

The circumstances surrounding Schulz’s disappearance are still under investigation.

Although Brentwood staff claim to have seen Schulz leave with a female, that story may now be unfounded, police said.

Schulz has been found, but investigators are asking that anyone who may have observed her walking in the area of S. Third Street (an elderly female utilizing a walker), to contact the Niles City Police Department at 683-1313.

Katie Johnson is managing editor of the Niles Daily Star, Cassopolis Vigilant, Edwardsburg Argus and Off the Water. E-mail her at katie.johnson@leaderpub.com.