Search Continues For Edward Gardner, Reported Missing 1 Year Ago: OPD

OSWEGO, IL — A year since Edward Gardner was reported missing by his family, police continue their search, asking for the community's help locating him.

Exactly a year after the now-23-year-old was reported missing by his family, on March 14, 2022, Oswego police released an update saying the investigation into his whereabouts remains open.

No one has reported seeing or hearing from Garder — who lives in Bolingbrook but has family in Oswego, Patch reported — since March 13, 2022, according to police.

His family, who typically had daily contact with Gardner, decided to report him missing after growing worried when he hadn't contacted family since early that Sunday, police said.

Detectives have attempted to reconstruct the man's movement prior to and after he was reported missing by pinging his cell phone and reviewing videos and geolocation data, but the search has turned up fruitless.

Police's investigation has involved conducting analyses of various cell phone data and collaborating with about 19 local, state and federal agencies, officials said Tuesday. Detectives have also conducted canine and river searches in Chicago and "numerous" interviews with Gardner's family, friends and acquaintances.

Family members last saw Garnder March 12 in Bolingbrook, and an acquaintance reported seeing him on the evening of March 13 in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood, Patch reported.

A couple of weeks after the man was reported missing, police said his car was determined to have been involved in a multi-car crash in Hammond, Indiana. The driver and passenger of the rental car, a 2021 white Dodge Charger with Florida license plates, were seen fleeing the crash, police said in March 2022.

Police said Tuesday that based on information obtained during the investigation of the crash, they don't believe Garnder was one of the occupants.

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Oswego officers describe the Bolingbrook man as 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes, police said.

Anyone who may have information about the man is asked to contact the police department at 630-551-7300 or 911. Information can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 630-553-5999.