local
Have you seen this man? Missing 73-year-old last seen in rural Stearns County
By Ryan Pattee at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 12, 2026
· 1 min read
Help is needed to locate a missing 73-year-old man who was last seen in rural Stearns County.
According to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Ronald Thomas Statz was last seen in the 28000 block of County Road 9, which is located north of the city of Richmond.
Statz is described as 6 feet...
Key takeaway According to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Ronald Thomas Statz was last seen in the 28000 block of County Road 9, which is located north of the city of Richmond.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The search for Ronald Thomas Statz raises concerns about the challenges of locating missing persons in rural areas of Minnesota, where vast landscapes and limited visibility can hinder efforts. As the Stearns County Sheriff's Office seeks information on Statz's whereabouts, residents in surrounding communities, including those in nearby Hennepin County, are likely to be on high alert. The fact that Statz was last seen in a specific block of County Road 9 north of Richmond suggests that local knowledge of the area may be crucial in tracking his movements. With the sheriff's office urging anyone with information to come forward, it is likely that the community will rally to support the search efforts, highlighting the importance of neighborly vigilance in rural areas. As the investigation unfolds, Minneapolis residents may be reminded of the need for cooperation between law enforcement and the public in solving missing persons cases.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Minneapolis stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Help is needed to locate a missing 73-year-old man who was last seen in rural Stearns County.
According to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Ronald Thomas Statz was last seen in the 28000 block of County Road 9, which is located north of the city of Richmond.
Statz is described as 6 feet...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ryan Pattee at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter