Seven-year-old Christopher Kerze was last observed at his residence in Eagan, Minnesota on April 20, 1990. He vanished subsequent to intimating his parents of his indisposition, expressing his intent to abstain from attending school. Christopher Matthew Kerze, born on February 19, 1973, to Jim and Loni Kerze, pursued his secondary education in Eagan, Minnesota, garnering acclaim as a distinguished scholar. He received invitations to join the esteemed National Honor Society and secured a position as a National Scholar semi-finalist.
Disappearance:
On the morning of April 20, 1990, Christopher Kerze informed his parents of a headache, deciding to remain home from school. His mother administered over-the-counter pain relief for his ailment before leaving him in solitude. His father, away on a business sojourn, was unaware of the situation. Upon the parents' return, Christopher was conspicuously absent. The family's light blue 1988 Dodge Caravan was also absent, accompanied by the family dog found wandering unattended in the yard.
A handwritten missive on the kitchen table read, "Mom, something important came up + feeling somewhat better. Back by six. (Unless I get lost.) Love, Chris." Despite the assurance of return, Christopher never reappeared, and a note postmarked from Duluth, Minnesota arrived the next day, revealing his fabricated illness, utilizing the van for an undisclosed destination, expressing an intent to terminate his own life, and tendering apologies to his loved ones.
Investigation:
On the day of his disappearance, Christopher withdrew $200 from his savings account. His father's Mossberg 20-gauge shotgun, equipped with a three-shell clip, was missing, although no ammunition was taken. On April 22, 1990, the family's van was located abandoned along Minnesota 38 in Itasca County, approximately 20 miles north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. An extensive search yielded no signs of Christopher, but the keys and a note identifying the van's owner were discovered inside.
The reason for abandoning the van in that vicinity remains unknown, despite the proximity of his grandparents' residence in the Grand Rapids area. Shortly after his disappearance, Christopher's parents received an unverified tip about a hitchhiker resembling him heading towards Duluth, the destination mentioned in the suicide note. In 2004, the Eagan Police Department received an anonymous letter advising them to cease the search, asserting that Christopher would return when ready. The letter's authenticity could not be ascertained.
The current location of Christopher Kerze, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, remain undisclosed. Authorities speculate that Christopher may have taken his own life, and the firearm possibly left abandoned in rural Minnesota. The parents maintain the same phone number, hopeful that he might recall and reach out. His case is categorized as "endangered missing" and remains unresolved.
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