‘He’s not been forgotten’: Ontario family seeks answers in decades old cold case

CTV’s Hannah Schmidt speaks with the family of a Brant County man who went missing almost 30 years ago.

The family of an Ontario man, who disappeared almost three decades ago, is renewing their appeal for answers.

Robert William Commu was last seen on March 31, 1996 at his rural property on the outskirts of Paris. He was 29 years old at the time.

West River Road South, in Paris, Ont., where Robert William Commu lived before he went missing on March 31, 1996. West River Road South, in Paris, Ont., where Robert William Commu lived before he went missing on March 31, 1996. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV News)

“The last sort of reports that we received were that Robert may have been seen with two unidentified males in a pickup truck the days leading up to his disappearance,” said Const. Jonathan Bueckert, with the Brant County detachment of Ontario Provincial Police. “That’s really all we have now, and have been going off of, for the past little while.”

Commu’s family recently marked the 29th anniversary of his disappearance.

It continues to haunt his sister, Hilda Netzke, because she doesn’t believe Commu left by choice.

“He had just changed the tire on his truck,” she said. “The lights were on [in the house], the door was open. The music was on, the same song was on repeat, his wallet was there.”

Robert William Commu Hilda Netzke William Commu Robert William Commu and his siblings Hilda Netzke and William Commu. (Courtesy: Hilda Netzke)

Netzke is hoping for a break in the case.

“Maybe we’re going to get closure finally, one way or another, and maybe have a funeral for Rob.”

Hilda Netzke holds a picture of her brother, Robert William Commu, who went missing from Paris, Ont. in 1996. Hilda Netzke holds a picture of her brother, Robert William Commu, who went missing from Paris, Ont. in 1996. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV News)

According to Netzke, a neighbor reportedly saw Commu working on his truck on the evening of March 31. He said one moment Commu was patching a tire and the next, he was gone.

“Absolutely nobody anywhere,” Netzke explained. “The search happened right away. The Grand [River] was searched and dredged. There were helicopters, dogs, everything.”

Robert William Commu Robert William Commu in an undated photo. (Courtesy: Hilda Netzke)

Police don’t suspect foul play and believe DNA will bring some closure.

“We did work with the family to get DNA and even that’s a fairly recent development in terms of our investigative abilities,” explained Bueckert. “We have dental records, so if remains were to be found somewhere, that would be our best chance at identifying it against Robert.”

Police are also renewing their appeal for tips and are working in partnership with the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains.

“Even though it’s 30 years later, it’s not too late,” said Bueckert. “Having closure for the family would bring them a lot of peace.”

Commu was described as 6’0 and weighing approximately 180 lbs. He had long brown hair, blue eyes and a tattoo of a lion with wings on his upper right arm. Commu was last seen wearing a white leather jacket with black sleeves and a red maple leaf on the back.

Robert William Commu Robert William Commu in an undated photo. (Courtesy: Hilda Netzke)

“He would have been a good dad and husband,” said an emotional Netzke. “Rob, you’re so loved and if you’re still alive, open arms to you, there’s no judgment. He’s not been forgotten.”

Anyone with information on the two males who were allegedly seen with Commu are encouraged to contact OPP.