Katharina Buczek
Once about an hour had passed, they were forced to contact the authorities and report her missing.
From the start, investigators labeled Crystal’s case as an abduction. She was also considered an endangered missing child.
Strangely, though, during interviews with police, neighbors of the Tymich family claimed not to have noticed anything suspicious or unusual occurring in the area that afternoon.
So, a massive search was ultimately launched– aided by nearly one hundred police officers along with community members and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
In fact, a localized tactical alert was even initiated that afternoon, which instructed all on-shift law enforcement officials to remain working until the search was over and the alert was canceled.
Simultaneously, a ten thousand dollar reward was announced by the City Council to anyone who helped Crystal’s safe return.
Unfortunately, though, the widespread search effort– which lasted until about 4:30 a.m. on July 1– turned up no evidence of Crystal. The localized tactical alert was canceled, and the six-year-old has still remained missing ever since.
There is a lack of information regarding subsequent search efforts that unfolded throughout the remainder of 1994 and 1995.
By March of 1996, however, a new twenty-five thousand dollar was offered– urging anyone with information to come forward.
No community members had any insight into Crystal’s case, though. So, on May 5, 1996, the reward offer was ultimately terminated on account of no collections.
In August 2005, however, the missing six-year-old re-entered national media coverage after countless law enforcement officials searched a neighbor’s home. The property had been located right across the street from where the Tymich family lived, and a witness submitted a tip about a “suspicious burial of an animal” shortly after Crystal went missing.
