Crime & Safety
Wisconsin Missing Man Case Still Unsolved 39 Years Later
Burlington, WI – Nearly four decades after a 19 year old man disappeared from Burlington, the Racine County Sheriff's Office is renewing its appeal for information in a case investigators say involved
By Claire Benton · 2026-09-28T19:24:34.060Z
Burlington, WI – Nearly four decades after a 19 year old man disappeared from Burlington, the Racine County Sheriff 's Office is renewing its appeal for information in a case investigators say involved suspicious circumstances.
According to the Racine County Sheriff's Office, Christopher Winkler was 19 years old when he disappeared from Burlington on Feb. 16, 1987 . Authorities said Monday that Winkler remains missing and that foul play is suspected.
Investigators believe people may still have information about what happened to Winkler and are urging anyone with knowledge of the case to come forward, even if the detail appears insignificant.
The sheriff's office did not announce a new development in the investigation Monday. Instead, the latest appeal focuses on generating information that could help detectives determine what happened to Winkler nearly 39 years ago.
Burlington is located in western Racine County in southeastern Wisconsin, southwest of Milwaukee.
Authorities said Winkler's family continues to wait for answers and an opportunity to bring him home.
Anyone with information about Winkler's disappearance can contact Investigator Brittany Bauer at 262 721 7685 or Investigator Robert Carlson at 262 664 5546 by phone or text.
People who want to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers at 262 636 9330 .