What happened to Derek Ritz? Family, friends still looking for answers eight years after he disappeared

Derek Ritz disappeared eight years ago and his family is holding onto hope that they'll someday find out why. Hannah Schmidt has the story.

Derek Ritz, known as “Ritzy” to those close to him, vanished without a trace eight years ago from Sebringville, a small town west of Stratford, Ont.

“It’s been emotional,” his friend Shelly Smith told CTV News on Wednesday. “You just don’t know what’s going to happen next.”

The 51-year-old Ritz disappeared in December 2016 and, to this day, his family and friends are haunted by unanswered questions.

“He was known as a funny, caring guy,” Smith explained. “Yeah, he had his demons, but he doesn’t deserve this.”

The Stratford Police Service confirmed the case is still open and active.

“We haven’t been able to get any concrete information regarding what had happened to Mr. Ritz,” Const. Darren Fischer said.

Meantime, a private investigator with Please Bring Me Home Canada, a not-for-profit organization that helps with the search for missing people, is pursuing new leads.

“We’ve done about 30 to 40 interviews with individuals in the Stratford area, associated with the community where he associated with,” the investigator explained to CTV News. “I started to arrange interviews with Derek’s closest circle; those initial interviews were troubling to say the least.”

The investigator, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of her work, said her current theory is that Ritz was abducted by a group of people, brought to a different location and killed.

“We have had the privilege to speak with people who have had the courage to come forward and say, ‘I was there,’” the investigator said. “Those individuals have really come forward after so much anguish, to say a group of people who are known in the community took his life in a horrific manner.”

While the evidence she has gathered from witnesses may point to a possible homicide, the fact remains that there is no body.

“This is when we need to rely on the community to come forward and provide firsthand witness testimony that says, ‘I saw. I was there. This is exactly what happened.’”

The investigator alleges the group that took Ritz’s life have created a culture of fear within the community, making the investigation more challenging.

“99 per cent of these individuals are terrified to come forward because they think they will be the next one,” she added.

Stratford Police are aware of the allegations but are unable to confirm if they are true.

“There’s always rumors and stories as to what may or may not have happened,” Fischer explained. “Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to verify any of those rumors and stories right now.”

The investigator said she recently received three “interesting” tips; ones she hopes will help steer the investigation in the right direction.

“We’ve done the first level of credibility, and they appear to be valid... so one thing that we are searching for is any evidence of Derek’s remains.”

For Smith, the pain of not knowing what happened to her friend has been unbearable. Each new tip brings both hope and heartbreak.

“I’m frustrated with the people in the city, that no one will come forward. I believe it’s fear-based, but it’s time to do the right thing.”

Investigators believe the key to solving Ritz’s disappearance is in the hands of the community. They are urging anyone with information—no matter how small—to speak up.

“There is hope that this story can come to a closure,” Fischer said.“I’m not going anywhere,” insisted Smith. “I’m going to keep fighting until this is over.”