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The disappearance that shook a family
In the quiet corners of Winnipeg, the name Herbert Gross echoes through the years, a reminder of a mystery that has lingered for nearly three decades. On May 3rd, 1996, Gross vanished from his home at the Portage Village Inn, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and shattered hopes.
His family, particularly his daughter Heather, has spent years grappling with the pain of his disappearance, piecing together fragments of a case that police have long since left behind.
Uncovering the chilling details
Years after his disappearance, Heather learned of the unsettling discoveries made by the police during their initial investigation.
“They found blood in his apartment,” she recalls, a revelation that sent chills down her spine. The police suspected foul play, especially after witnesses reported seeing two men removing Herbert’s belongings from his home. Those items were later discovered discarded in a garbage bin, raising further suspicions about what truly happened to him.
Despite extensive searches, including a thorough examination of the Summit Road Landfill, no trace of Herbert was ever found. The investigation seemed to stall, leaving Heather and her family in a state of limbo, desperately seeking answers that never came.
“May as well have just took my whole heart,” Heather expressed, reflecting on the emotional toll of the unresolved case.
Comparisons to current investigations
As the province recently concluded searches at Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two murdered Indigenous women, the Gross family is reminded of their own painful journey.
Ron Gross, Herbert’s nephew, voiced his frustration, questioning why their search was abandoned. “Every day you see it in the papers. I’m glad they got the coverage, but every day the scab keeps getting ripped off,” he lamented, highlighting the emotional scars that resurface with each new investigation.
While Heather and Ron understand that they may never find Herbert’s remains, they continue to advocate for accountability in an investigation they believe was mishandled. “At least say, ‘You know what, we screwed up. We didn’t do what we should have done at the time,’” Ron stated, expressing a desire for acknowledgment that could bring some semblance of closure to their family.
The ongoing quest for justice
The case of Herbert Gross serves as a poignant reminder of the many families left in the shadows of unresolved mysteries. As the Gross family navigates their grief, they remain hopeful that one day, the truth will emerge, and justice will be served. Their story is not just about a missing person; it’s about the enduring love of a family and the relentless pursuit of answers in a world where so many remain unanswered.
