Joe Pichler

Status:

Open

Missing From:

Bremerton, Washington

Summary:

Joseph David Wolfgang Pichler was an American former child actor best known for his roles in Varsity Blues, Beethoven's 3rd, and Beethoven's 4th who went missing at age 18 under mysterious circumstances on January 5, 2006, near his hometown of Bremerton, Washington. His whereabouts remain unknown.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Disappearance:

Pichler began acting at age six and lived part-time in Los Angeles, California until 2002, pursuing acting jobs. He is a graduate of Bremerton High School, class of 2005. According to family, Pichler had planned to return to Los Angeles the following year, after his braces were removed, to resume his acting career. After turning 18, Pichler moved out of the family home and into his own apartment in Bremerton; however, he maintained a close relationship with his family. He spent the evening of January 4, 2006, playing cards and drinking at a small get-together, where he appeared to be in good spirits. Around 4:15 the next morning, though, he called one of his friends crying. Pichler was reportedly "inconsolable," and he said that he would call back in an hour. He never did — and nobody ever saw him again. He had spent the evening playing cards with some close friends. Everyone who saw him that evening described Joe as in a very good mood. They say he was not showing any signs of distress or depression. When Pichler's family couldn't get in touch with him that day, his brother went to his apartment to see if he was home. The door was unlocked and the lights were on, but Joe Pichler was nowhere to be found. His silver 2005 Toyota Corolla was found on January 9, 2006, near the intersection of Wheaton Way and Sheridan Road in Bremerton, half a mile from Port Madison Narrows. All of Pichler's personal belongings were left behind when he vanished, with the exception of his wallet and car keys. His apartment was unlocked and the lights were left on, which is uncharacteristic of him.

Additional Details:

Pichler is considered to be in danger; he left some poetry indicating he was feeling depressed. He stated he wished he had been a "stronger brother" for his younger brother and asked that his brother be given his belongings. There is no hard evidence that he took his own life, however, and Pichler's writings did not explicitly state he intended to do so. The friends who last saw him stated he was in good spirits while he was with them. Inside, investigators found a note that contained some lines of poetry, a list of belongings Pichler wanted his younger brother to have, and a few scribbled thoughts that were seemingly unrelated, such as Pichler's desire to be a "stronger brother." Days later, Joe's silver 2005 Toyota Corolla was found parked behind a taqueria in Bremerton. His phone was inside. His wallet and keys were not. And investigators described a note and writings in the car as suggesting he "may be planning to attempt suicide." When Joe Pichler mysteriously vanished at the age of 18 in 2006, police suspected suicide — but his family remains convinced that foul play was involved. Detective Robbie Davis, the lead investigator, said, "There's a good indication that it might have been a suicide, but we don't know that. There is no reason to suspect foul play." Pichler's mother and 26-year-old sister, Shawna Woody, said police released the car to the family without fully processing it for evidence that might yield some clues to his disappearance. "They haven't fingerprinted his car. They sifted through it. They were in his apartment for about three minutes. They've done nothing," Kathy Pichler said. Pichler remains missing; no confirmed sightings or remains have ever been found. Joseph's disappearance was profiled on the July 18th, 2009 episode of America's Most Wanted.

Case Last Updated:

Oct 19, 2026