Kazmerzak reward upped to $100K

     A reward for information leading to the whereabouts of missing Hampton man Ethan Kazmerzak was increased to $100,000 Monday.

     Kazmerzak was last seen at various local bars on the night of Sept. 15, 2013. Investigators have followed up on numerous leads since his disappearance and came up empty-handed in every instance. Multiple aerial flyovers and ground searches have been completed at area fields, lakes and ponds, but substantial evidence has been fleeting.

     Local officials hope the $100,000 reward renews interest in the case and leads to new information.

     “There really hasn’t been anything new or worthwhile happen with it since the scuba divers checked the ponds,” said Hampton Police Chief Bob Schaefer. “It’s been quiet.”

     A group of anonymous residents pooled together a $20,000 reward in October 2013 for any information leading to Kazmerzak’s return. The group hoped to have him home safely by Thanksgiving of that year, but investigators received only a few weak leads before the reward expired on Dec. 2, 2013.

     In March 2014, the $20,000 reward was renewed and has remained in place ever since. The same group is responsible for the $100,000 reward.

     Schaefer hoped the larger amount would entice anyone who might be withholding information about the circumstances surrounding Kazmerzak’s disappearance.

     “I think seeing that $100,000 might give them more incentive and possibly shake them loose to come forward with what they know,” he said.

     The last time anyone had communication from  Kazmerzak was sometime around 12:30 a.m., on Sept. 15 near the intersection of 190th Street and Olive Avenue northwest of Hampton.

     Kazmerzak was 22 at the time of his disappearance. He has dark blonde hair, a beard and wears glasses with thick black frames. He is 5-foot, 5-inches tall, about 185 pounds, and was last seen wearing peach-colored shorts and a white/teal printed shirt. He has a Grateful Dead tattoo on his upper left arm.

     Kazmerzak drives a silver 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI with Iowa license plate AUZ382. The vehicle has also been missing since Sept. 15, 2013.

     If you have any information about Kazmerzak’s whereabouts, please call North Iowa Crime Stoppers at 800-383-0088 or the Hampton Police Department at 641-456-2527.

Links and Social Media:

Find Ethan Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/Find-Ethan-740904676054298/?fref=ts

New hashtag:   #findethankazmerzak

Website:  www.findethan.com