58-year-old Ritchie Collins went missing in early 2019. The exact date of his disappearance is unknown. A neighbor reported seeing Ritchie at his home in Bellingham, WA, but that exact date is fuzzy. However, he had not texted or spoken to friends or family members since March of 2019. Ritchie has been described by those who knew him best as a loner, so it would not be uncommon for a few days or even weeks to go by without hearing from him. Ritchie's family had been trying to get ahold of him for weeks. Then on April 30, 2019, Ritchie's car was found parked at the Colonial Creek Campground at North Cascades National Park. The keys to his car had been placed on top of the vehicle. According to a park ranger, the vehicle had been there for weeks.
We first brought you Ritchie's story in March of 2020. When we left off at the end of that episode, there were so many questions left unanswered. Over the July 4th weekend of 2021, some children playing at a camp area several miles from where Ritchie's car was found discovered the first clue that would help find Ritchie.
Ritchie's daughter graciously joined us to give us an update on what has transpired and where her dad's case stands today.
If you have any information regarding the disappearance and death of Ritchie Collins, please contact Detective Ken Gates at 360-778-6613 or contact the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office directly at 360-778-6600.
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