Bringing A Voice To Waukesha County's Missing

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WI— The pandemic has created uncertainty, loss and confusion — the same feelings a loved one experiences when someone goes missing, the founder of a missing person's advocacy group said.

Marsha Loritz, founder and president of Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy, found herself in that situation in 2013 when her mom went missing.

"In my journey, I didn't have a lot of places to go or resources for help and guidance," Loritz told Patch.

She discovered the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System database and found it to be a great tool that includes dental records and fingerprints.

"It can be searched by law enforcement and the public," she said.

Her mom, Victoria Prokopovitz, went missing from her home on Kunesh Road in Pittsfield, Wisconsin, on April 25, 2013. James Prokopovitz, her husband, was sentenced to life in prison in 2021 for her death, according to online court records.

Prokopovitz's body has not been recovered.

When her mom's information was listed, she was alarmed to find 99 other Wisconsin missing persons cases. She wrote to former Gov. Scott Walker around "Missing Children Day," commemorated nationally on May 25, asking him to create a "Wisconsin Missing Adult Day."

In 2015, a Wisconsin proclamation of a missing adult month was designated for April. Gov. Tony Evers made the most recent proclamation in March 2021.

She still felt like work needed to be done and launched the non-profit advocacy group in 2017.

Seven staffers and volunteers advocate for the missing by sharing the information that they find through databases, news reports and law enforcement social media sites.

"We support families and guide them by connecting them to resources whenever possible," Loritz said. "We also work to educate the public about the missing, as well as to raise awareness to bring prevention."

She said some missing persons cases have had little to no publicity.

Loritz said many cases are older than social media. Missing adults also don't get as much attention as missing children.

"Everyone is captivated by a missing child and wants to do their part to help more so than an adult," she said.

Loritz said people assume adults ran away or went off the grid. While that's sometimes true, it is not always the reason, Loritz said.

The advocacy group fundraises each year to put up billboards of missing people in Wisconsin.

"It brings so much hope to them that somewhere out there holds those answers or can bring them the answers," Loritz said.

Waukesha County Missing People

There are six families in Waukesha County, and over 200 in Wisconsin, searching for a loved one.

The most recent Waukesha case is Michael William Duke, 35, who went missing on May 15, 2021. He left unexpectedly in the middle of his work shift at Taco John's in Waukesha. He was on foot at the time and didn't own a car.

Ganem E. Avila, 4, of Waukesha, went missing on January 8, 2013.

"He was allegedly abducted by his mother, Maria Delacruz Avila, on January 8, 2013. A felony warrant for Custodial Interference was issued for Maria on September 25, 2013. They may travel to Mexico," the website missingkids.org said.

Other missing cases include:

Kim Michael Klimek went missing from Wales on November 7, 1993. He was 43 at the time of his disappearance. According to the NamUs website, there was evidence he was packing up for a trip, but the tickets were found at his home. Klimek's truck was parked at Mitchell Airport, but there is no record of him taking a flight.

Sandra B. Bertolas went missing from Menomonee Falls on April 24, 1988. She was 20 at the time of her disappearance. She went to confront her boyfriend after he revealed he had given her a fake name and address and had another steady girlfriend, NamUs said.

Her car was found a few days later in West Allis.

"Investigators believe she was murdered and that her killer is still on the loose. Her body has never been recovered," NamUs said.

Patrick D. Kennedy went missing from Muskego on April 23, 1988. Kennedy was last seen at the Black Duck Inn W145 S8016 Schultz Dr. His age wasn't listed.

"Kennedy apparently asked a friend for a ride home. The friend did not want to leave, so Kennedy left on foot. This was the last time anyone has seen him," the city of Muskego police website said.

Dona Mae Bayerl went missing from Muskego on May 6, 1979. She was 38 at the time of her disappearance. Her husband said she left their home after a fight and drove off in the family car, the police website said.

"Police believe she did not leave of her own free will. Police found blood in the garage, determined to be Donna Bayerl’s. Dona was declared legally dead in 1986," the police website said.

Loritz asked people to take the time to see if they recognize any of the missing.

"If you see a missing person's poster, stop and look at it," she said. "It is someone's loved one."