The Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin Police Department is seeking your help in locating a missing adult female, the wife of a former Coast Guardsman.

The Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin Police Department is seeking help from the viewers of Fred's Place. The Sturgeon Bay Police Department has an open and active cold case file involving a missing adult female. The missing female, Carol Jean Pierce, vanished from her Sturgeon Bay home on 09-08-75. At the time of her disappearance, Carol Jean was married to Richard Gale Pierce, the Warrant Bos'n on the USCGC Mesquite, the 180' buoy tender that was home ported in Sturgeon Bay at the time. The first report of this missing person was made to the Sturgeon Bay Police on 09-15-75, one week after she had gone missing. That report was filed by Richard Gale Pierce. Richard Gale Pierce told investigators that on the date of her disappearance he had morning coffee with Carol Jean at his home. When he returned home at about 1630hr. Carol Jean was gone. She has not been heard from or seen since. At the time of her disappearance, Richard Gale Pierce was within 11 days of retiring from the Coast Guard. The couple had plans to move back to Cheboygan, Michigan, where they owned some property. On 09-19-75, Richard Gale Pierce retired and moved their mobile home from Sturgeon Bay to Cheboygan, Michigan. To this day he still lives there. Carol Jean Pierce was a home maker. There has been no use of her social security number since 1975. The day after Carol Jean's disappearance, a fellow crew member on the Mesquite visited Richard Gale Pierce at his home to discuss Carol Jean's disappearance. During that visit, Carol Jean's purse, prized cat, personal belongings and makeup were seen in the Pierce home. At the time, Richard and Carol Jean Pierce had only one vehicle, a 1970 Chevrolet pickup truck. This truck has been accounted for and remained in Richard's possession until he sold it several years later. Police checks on Carol Jean's credit history, social security, possible passport use, Interpol, the Canadian Authorities and every state DOT Office in the U.S., have been made in the name of Carol Jean. There has been no activity under her name since the date of her disappearance. On 11-22-77, Richard Gale Pierce received an uncontested divorce from Carol Jean. All of their marital property was placed in the sole name of Richard Gale Pierce. Richard Gale Pierce married for the 3rd time shortly after that divorce was granted. Richard Gale and Carol Jean Pierce were station in or near Sicklerville, New Jersey, before their transfer to Sturgeon Bay. Richard Gale was on the CGC Mesquite from 1974 through his retirement in 1975.

On 12-16-05 I contacted Mr. Fred Siegel, the web-master for Fred's Place, this web-site. I advised Mr. Siegel of this investigation and asked for his permission to make this posting on the site. As a former Coast Guardsman myself, I have had numerous opportunities to visit Fred's Place. Knowing the site fairly well, I believe this posting may prompt some investigative leads from some of its viewers. Virtually every police investigator that has worked this file during the past 30 years, believes foul play was involved in the disappearance of Carol Jean Pierce. We also feel that there is a very strong possibility that someone with a direct or indirect connection to the U.S. Coast Guard may have some information concerning this incident, information that the police are not yet aware of. I am asking any viewers of this posting that may have any information, that may assist this investigation, to contact me at the number or e-mail listed below. Attached are photos of Carol Jean and Richard Gale Pierce, circa 1974 or 1975. Carol Jean Pierce has two surviving siblings, a brother and a sister. This investigation carries on for those two. Closure, no matter what that may bring, is their desire. If you should have any information, no matter how slight or insignificant it may seem, please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Thomas J. Baudhuin
Lt. Investigator (Former QM1, 1973-1981)
Sturgeon Bay Police Department
123 South 5th Ave
Sturgeon Bay, WI. 54235
Desk: 920-746-2459
FAX: 920-746-2453
E-mail: lttjb@charterinternet.net