Cass Co. Sheriff’s Office Revisits Peter Achermann Case with New Search

Peter Achermann

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is revisiting the case of a man who went missing 14 years ago.

82-year-old Peter Achermann was reported missing in rural Staples on July 24, 2009, the day before his granddaughter’s wedding. He was last seen grocery shopping.

14 years later, Peter’s family is still searching for answers on what happened the day he went missing.

“It’s one of the hardest things, who would hurt an old man that nobody had any problem with? I mean, he was well liked in the community,” said Jörg Achermann, Peter’s son.

At the time Peter went missing, Bryan Welk was a Cass County deputy. He’s now the sheriff, and he believes the case should be revisited with a fresh pair of eyes.

“We’ve never closed this case. With advances in technology, with DNA, with forensics, I should say, and with new investigators coming onto the scene – fresh eyes,” said Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk on the new search efforts.

Peter’s vehicle was discovered trapped in the mud near 85th Avenue SW in Becker Township on a dirt road with very little maintenance. It was not the route he took earlier in the day to complete errands in nearby Staples, according to investigators.

As the search for Peter has resumed, and Cass County Sheriff’s Office has returned to the area where his vehicle was discovered in search of new evidence.

“This area the vehicle was located in was a very wet area, swampy area, and with the drought that we’re experiencing, that’s dried up a lot,” explained Sheriff Welk. “So we want to see if there’s any more clues, anything new that was missed or would now be seen because … the water levels [are] down.”

Authorities said groceries and medication were found inside the vehicle, but Peter’s walking stick and keys were missing.

“Somebody knows what happened to him. I think there’s probably more than one person.” said Jörg Achermann.

Family members and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office are still holding on to hope that Peter is somewhere still out there.

“We will never give up till we find you,” asserted Sheriff Welk. “We’ll never give up till we have a resolution in the case.”

Any information about Peter Achermann’s disappearance can be provided to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office by calling 218-547-1424 or by sending an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers via their website.