Franklin Gottschalk, an English major at Michigan State University, vanished from his Mason, Michigan residence on February 2, 1997, a day before his 25th birthday. He was last seen driving off in his brother's black and red 1977 Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo without permission. He did not register for classes for the spring semester of 1997, despite being three credits away from graduation.

The vehicle was later found abandoned in a parking lot at the intersection of Grand River Avenue and Cedar Street in Lansing, Michigan, with no signs of Gottschalk. However, two bags belonging to him were discovered by bicyclists on the Shiawassee Street bridge. The bags contained all of Gottschalk's belongings, including a watch with a brown leather band, his wallet, and his Detroit Lions coat, except for his black leather jacket. The coat was later found in a local cornfield.

Divers searched the water beneath the bridge, but no other clues were discovered related to Gottschalk's case. Foul play is suspected, and his family believes it is out of character for him to leave without warning. They also state that if he could, he would have contacted them. Gottschalk was a talented public speaker who aspired to become a teacher.

Despite ongoing investigations, his case remains unsolved, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.