Stratford Police offer $10K reward to aid in 9-year missing persons case
Posted Jan 2, 2026 08:57:57 AM.
Last Updated Jan 2, 2026 08:58:01 AM.
Search efforts are continuing for a man who went missing 9 years ago, with Stratford Police now offering a $10,000 reward for new information on the whereabouts of Derek Ritz.
Ritz was first reported missing back on Jan. 7, 2017, last seen at a residence in the Village of Sebringville, just west of Stratford, a week prior, on Dec. 31, 2016.
Initially, the Perth County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began the search efforts for Ritz, passing along those efforts to Stratford Police Service two years into the investigation on Apr. 9, 2019.
They have said that, since then, officers have conducted an “exhaustive investigation into the disappearance of Derek Ritz, including interviewing over 100 potential witnesses and conducting extensive searches of various properties throughout the area.”
“The recovery of Derek Ritz remains an utmost priority to the Stratford Police Service,” says Acting Deputy Chief Mark Taylor. “It has been nine years since his disappearance. We would like to provide closure to all who were close to Mr. Ritz, and recognize the impact his disappearance has had on the greater community.”
Looking to increase those efforts, Stratford Police is now offering a $10,000 reward for anyone who is able to provide information that could help progress the investigation.
That includes details that could confirm the whereabouts of Ritz, arrest and convict individuals who are responsible, and help to bring the case to a close.
Derek Ritz would now be 60 years old, and at the time was described as a caucasian man with brown, shoulder-length hair, brown eyes, weighing 170 lbs. at 5’11”.
Anyone with information is asked to reach out to Stratford Police through Detective Sergeant Mike Weyers at 519-271-4147 extension 8184, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
