BISMARCK, ND — Police investigating the disappearance of Keith Schmidt have released new footage they believe shows him in the moments before he vanished from his North Dakota home in May 2024. Schmidt, a 53-year-old floor installer, left behind his truck, trailer and phone, and his family says the case is completely out of character for him.
Despite extensive searches near his home, investigators say they have not found evidence pointing to foul play. His relatives are now asking anyone who may have seen him around the time he disappeared to step forward with information.
What investigators released
The new video was shared with NewsNation as part of its “Missing” series. The footage has not been publicly seen before and is believed to show the period just before Schmidt disappeared.
Authorities have not said the video solves the case. Instead, it adds to a timeline that remains incomplete more than a year after Schmidt was last seen.
Searches and family concerns
Schmidt’s family says his disappearance does not fit his usual routine or behavior. They have described him as well liked, and they say leaving behind his vehicle, trailer and phone makes the situation even harder to explain.
Police searched extensively around his home but have not reported finding signs of a struggle or other evidence of foul play. That has left the case open, with few clear answers for investigators or family members.
How the case is moving forward
The family hopes someone who saw Schmidt in May 2024 will remember something useful and contact investigators. Freelance journalist and professor Eric Grabowsky, who has spent a great deal of time studying the case, discussed it with NewsNation host Marni.
The NewsNation segment also noted other missing-person cases, including a Philadelphia disappearance and a kidnapping case in Mexico. The focus in Schmidt’s story, though, remains on finding a fresh lead that could explain what happened after he left home.
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