HONESDALE, PA — When 57-year-old Richard P. Redzich left his Honesdale home for an appointment on July 26, 2005, his family expected him to return. He never did. Nearly two decades later, his disappearance remains one of Wayne County’s most puzzling unsolved missing person cases.

The mystery deepened months after Redzich vanished, when his vehicle was discovered stuck in a wooded area on November 4, 2005—more than three months after he was last seen. Despite extensive searches of the surrounding woods, no trace of Redzich himself was ever found.

Anyone with information about Richard P. Redzich’s disappearance is urged to contact:

Pennsylvania State Police
570-253-7126

Case Details:

• Name: Richard P. Redzich
• Missing Since: July 26, 2005
• Missing From: Honesdale, Wayne County, PA
• Age When Missing: 57 years old
• Current Age: 77 years old (if alive)
• Description: White male, 5’10”, 220 lbs
• Vehicle Found: November 4, 2005 (stuck in wooded area)
• NamUs Case: MP19246
• Investigating Agency: Pennsylvania State Police

A Routine Appointment That Ended in Mystery

Redzich, described in missing person records as a white male standing 5’10” and weighing approximately 220 pounds, left his home in Honesdale on what appeared to be an ordinary summer day. He told family members he was heading to an appointment, but where that appointment was and whether he ever arrived remains unclear.

When he failed to return home, concerned family members reported him missing to authorities. Pennsylvania State Police launched an investigation, but the trail quickly went cold.

Three-Month Gap Before Vehicle Discovery

The most perplexing aspect of Redzich’s case is the significant time gap between his disappearance and the discovery of his vehicle. For more than three months—from late July through early November—the whereabouts of both Redzich and his vehicle remained unknown.

On November 4, 2005, someone discovered Redzich’s vehicle stuck in a wooded area. The exact location of the wooded area has not been publicly disclosed, and it’s unclear whether the vehicle was found in Wayne County or a neighboring jurisdiction.

The condition of the vehicle, how long it had been there, and whether it showed any signs of struggle or foul play have not been released to the public. What investigators do know is that the vehicle’s discovery led to immediate searches of the surrounding woods—searches that came up empty.

Extensive Search Yields No Clues

Following the vehicle’s discovery, Pennsylvania State Police conducted thorough searches of the wooded area where it was found. Search teams combed through the terrain looking for any sign of Redzich—clothing, personal belongings, or any indication of where he might have gone.

Despite these efforts, searchers found nothing. It was as if Redzich had simply vanished into thin air after his vehicle became stuck in the woods.

The lack of evidence raised troubling questions: Had Redzich abandoned his vehicle and walked away? If so, why, and where did he go? Was he injured and unable to call for help? Did he encounter someone in the woods? Or had something happened to him elsewhere, with the vehicle ending up in the woods under different circumstances?

A Case That Remains Open

Redzich’s case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) on February 13, 2013—more than seven years after his disappearance. He is listed as Case #MP19246.

If still alive today, Richard Redzich would be 77 years old. However, given the circumstances of his disappearance and the decades that have passed without any contact with family or friends, investigators fear the worst.

The case remains officially open with Pennsylvania State Police, who continue to seek information about Redzich’s whereabouts or what may have happened to him.

Limited Public Information

Unlike some missing person cases that generate extensive media coverage and public awareness campaigns, Redzich’s disappearance has received relatively little attention over the years. The NamUs database entry contains minimal details about his physical appearance, with no hair color, eye color, or distinctive features listed. No clothing description from the day he disappeared was recorded, and no photograph appears in the public database.

This lack of detailed information may reflect the limited evidence investigators had to work with, or it may indicate that family members have been reluctant to publicize the case for personal reasons.

Wayne County’s Missing

Wayne County, located in northeastern Pennsylvania’s Pocono region, is home to several long-term missing person cases. Redzich’s disappearance is among the county’s most enduring mysteries, alongside other cases like that of 14-year-old Dominique Chrisholm, who vanished from Lake Ariel in 2017.

The rural, heavily wooded nature of Wayne County presents unique challenges for missing person investigations. With vast stretches of forest, numerous lakes and streams, and remote areas that see little human traffic, someone could potentially remain hidden for years.

Family Still Waits for Answers

For Redzich’s family, nearly 20 years have passed without answers. They don’t know if he’s alive somewhere, unable or unwilling to make contact, or if he met with tragedy in those woods where his vehicle was found.

Every year that passes makes it less likely that Redzich will be found alive, but his family and investigators continue to hope that someone, somewhere, knows something that could finally solve this mystery.

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Even after nearly 20 years, investigators still hope someone may recall seeing Redzich or his vehicle in the summer or fall of 2005, or may have information that could help solve this case.