Name: Harry Dennis Milligan
Age: 21 years old
Last seen: July 1, 1984
Location: Albia, Iowa
Status: Still missing
Case Information
21 year old Harry Dennis Milligan was last seen in Albia, Iowa on July 1, 1984. He disappeared after a night out with friends.
Background
Harry Dennis Milligan was born on October 4, 1962, and grew up in the small town of Avery, Iowa, with his five siblings.
He was born with two clubfeet and had surgery to correct them when he was young. Harry excelled in football and basketball in school.
Milligan was a Marine Corps reservist at the time of his disappearance, and was attending Northeast Missouri State University (which has since been renamed Truman State University).
Disappearance
On the night of June 30, 1984, Harry Dennis Milligan went out with three friends in his hometown of Albia, Iowa.
The last confirmed sighting of Harry was in Albia’s business district between 3:00-3:30 am on July 1, 1984.
According to witnesses, Harry was last seen traveling north on Main Street, and is believed to have been en route to his family’s home in Avery, about seven miles away. He was driving his 1977 maroon two door Pontiac Grand Prix with Iowa plate number EIJ-244.
Harry Milligan never returned home and hasn’t been heard from since. He was reported missing to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office on July 1, 1984.
Investigation
Neither Milligan or his vehicle has been seen since the night he disappeared.
According to Milligan’s brother Mark, the friends Harry was out with on the night he disappeared say they dropped him off at his car around 4:30 am. They say they saw him drive away and assumed he was heading back to his family’s home in Avery since he had a softball game scheduled later that morning.
Early into the investigation Harry’s family posted a $500 reward for information about his whereabouts and began passing out flyers nationwide.
Milligan was declared deceased in May 1992. His parents died without ever knowing what happened to him.
When asked if foul play is suspected in Harry’s disappearance, authorities state the “investigation is ongoing.” There have been no suspects of persons of interests named in his case.
In June of 2022, Chaos Divers, a private dive team from Illinois, visited Iowa to search for Harry and his car. During their first search they focused on Lake Miami and ponds along Avery Highway.
No signs of Harry were found during the searches, but Harry’s brother Mark says it helps knowing where they don’t have to search in the future.
Whereabouts
The location of Harry Dennis Milligan, as well as the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, remains unknown. His case is classified as involuntary missing and remains unsolved.
Appearance
White male born on October 4, 1962. Harry has brown hair, blue eyes, stands 6’0 tall and weighs 160 pounds.
He may have scars on his feet from a surgery to correct clubfeet.
Clothing & Accessories:
Harry was last seen wearing a blue plaid short sleeved shirt, blue jeans, and tennis shoes.
He disappeared along with his car, a 1977 maroon two door Pontiac Grand Prix with Iowa plate number EIJ-244.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Harry Milligan please contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at (641) 932-7815, or the Missing Persons Information Clearing House at (800) 346-5507.
Resources & Further Information
Harry Milligan – Iowa Cold Cases
Harry Dennis Milligan – NamUS
Harry Dennis Milligan Still Missing – Facebook
News & Media Links
Brother Hoping to Reignite Search for Harry Milligan, Who Disappeared 38 Years Ago – NBC News
1984 Missing Person Case Reopened – Ottumwapost
Nationally Known Dive Team Returns to Southeast Iowa to Help Find Missing Albia Man – KTVO
Chaos Divers Come to Albia to Help Bring Harry Milligan Home – Albia News
Videos & Flyers
Why would he be up all night if he was going to play a game the next day , or later on ? .
Who was going to help with the distribution of the posters nation – wide , via universities / military bases ? .
Why did they have to take him back to his sedan , did he not park closer to the venue , or did he arrive late ? .
Was he the whole time with his friends , as there appears to be a time of about an hour between when people saw him and his friends dropped him off at his sedan ? .
Were any of his friends going to play in the same game that he was , and on the same side ? .
Did he travel a lot ? .
Is there an age – enhanced photo of him , that is recent ? .