The disappearance of college student Tricia Reitler

For many young people across the nation, they are preparing themselves for the college experience. It should be a positive experience. It’s an opportunity for high school graduates to leave the nest, meet new friends, learn new experiences, and get a taste of independence. I was one of those young people who wanted the college experience.

In 1993, I was preparing to complete my Bachelor's degree at Indiana Wesleyan University. I attended a satellite campus in Indianapolis and graduated in 1994. Although I had a positive experience at Wesleyan and received a quality education, not all of my classmates had a similar experience.

In 1993, I had a classmate named Tricia Reitler who would be abducted and never seen again. Unfortunately, it's been over 29 years since she vanished. I periodically think about her and occasionally look for updates on her case. Today, she still remains missing.

Tricia Reitler was a bright and enthusiastic student. She was a 19-year-old woman who studied psychology at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.

On March 29, 1993, she was working on a term paper when she took a break at 8:30 p.m. She walked to a local grocery store to buy a can of root beer and a magazine. It’s been confirmed that she made it to the store, but she never made it back to her room. She was abducted after she left the store and has never been seen again.

Her jeans and a top were found in a field. As of March, she has been missing for 29 years. Garry Reitler, her father, said it seems like a lifetime ago that she disappeared. On March 29, 1993, the Reitlers received an unexpected phone call. They learned that their daughter had been abducted. Her parents expected her to be located within a reasonable time.

The police launched a large manhunt and spent many hours looking for Tricia. No one has provided law enforcement with an explanation for Tricia’s disappearance. A media source quoted Donna Reitler as saying it’s time someone came forward with information.

Donna and Garry Reitler don’t think their daughter is still alive. They deserve answers. It takes a special type of evil to conceal Tricia’s whereabouts from her parents. After 29 years, her parents have said they are beyond revenge. That ship has sailed. They just want to have their daughter’s remains returned so they can give her a proper burial.

This case hasn’t had any major breaks for years. However, there was a convicted killer named Larry Hall who claimed to have kidnapped and murdered Patricia.

Additionally, he claimed Tricia’s body was buried near a reservoir. A search by law enforcement failed to recover Tricia’s body. He later recanted his confession. There was no evidence linking Hall to Tricia. He has never been charged for being involved in her disappearance.

Indiana Wesleyan has since created a reflection area on their campus in memory of Tricia. School officials don’t want anyone to forget her. Someone must know what happened to Tricia. Please contact Grant County Crime Stoppers at 765-662-TIPS if you have any information about Tricia Reitler’s abduction.

Marc is a longtime resident of Clermont County and an avid reader. Contact him through his website at www.themarcabe.com or through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Catchmykiller. Marc also has a podcast called Catch my Killer, where he interviews family members seeking justice for their murdered loved ones. You can listen at www.catchmykiller.com.