Overview

Missing: April 17, 2025
Approximate time last seen: 9:30 p.m.
Last-seen area: Westboro area of Taylor County, Wisconsin, near State Highway 13; an early sheriff’s notice specified the Gunnar Road area, while the Wisconsin missing-person poster references Fawn Avenue and State Highway 13.

Circumstances: Jesse reportedly got out of a vehicle following an argument and did not have his cellphone with him. Later family reporting said his phone and wallet remained in the vehicle. Multiple people reportedly saw him walking along Highway 13 that evening, and WRCO/WRCE reported a call concerning a person matching his description at the Highway 13 Wayside near Westboro.

Search: Price and Taylor County authorities coordinated search efforts and asked residents and property owners along a large Highway 13 corridor to inspect properties, trail cameras and security footage.

Current status: Missing; the investigation and search were publicly described as continuing at the one-year anniversary in April 2026.

Detailed Case Breakdown

Jesse James Yanske Missing Person Case: Wisconsin Man Remains Missing After April 2025 Disappearance

Jesse James Yanske disappeared in northern Wisconsin on April 17, 2025, after reportedly getting out of a vehicle in the Westboro area of Taylor County. More than a year later, authorities in Price and Taylor counties continue to search for answers about what happened to him.

Yanske was 32 years old when he disappeared. The Wisconsin Department of Justice continues to list him as missing, and law enforcement continues to ask anyone with information to come forward.

Jesse Yanske Last Seen in Taylor County, Wisconsin

According to an early Taylor County Sheriff’s Office notice, Jesse was last seen at approximately 9:30 p.m. on April 17, 2025, near Gunnar Road and State Highway 13 in Taylor County. Wisconsin’s official missing-person poster more generally identifies the area as near Fawn Avenue and State Highway 13.

He was reportedly wearing a black hooded or zip-up sweatshirt, black jogging pants and black-and-white shoes. The Taylor County notice identified the shoes as Hoka brand. Jesse was described in official reporting as approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. Sources have reported his weight as approximately 160 to 170 pounds.

Jesse was reported missing on April 19, two days after he was last seen.

What Happened Before Jesse Yanske Disappeared?

Early news coverage reported information provided by Jesse’s mother, Laurie Yanske, who said Jesse had been involved in an argument with his girlfriend and got out of a vehicle. She also said he did not have his cellphone with him when he disappeared.

Additional information provided by a family member to WRCO/WRCE in April 2026 said Jesse had recently moved to Ogema to live with his girlfriend. According to that family account, the couple had gone to a nearby bar before getting into an argument while traveling home. Jesse reportedly got out of the vehicle to walk and “cool off,” while his phone and wallet remained inside the vehicle.

WRCO/WRCE also reported that multiple people said they saw Jesse walking along Highway 13 that evening. According to the station, a call was also made about someone matching Jesse’s description at the Highway 13 Wayside near Westboro. These details were reported as witness information and should not be interpreted as independently confirmed proof of Jesse’s movements after he left the vehicle.

Search for Jesse Yanske Expands Along Highway 13

Price County and Taylor County authorities conducted a joint search after Jesse was reported missing.

On April 24, 2025, Price County Sheriff Brian Schmidt and Taylor County Sheriff Corey Dassow publicly asked property owners in a defined search area to inspect their land, security cameras and trail cameras. The requested area extended south of State Highway 86, north of State Highway 102, and approximately one mile east and west of State Highway 13.

Authorities emphasized that they were concerned for Jesse’s safety. In May 2025, the Price County Sheriff’s Office issued another public alert asking residents to check cameras for possible signs of him near Fawn Avenue and State Highway 13.

Jesse was subsequently added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. A July 14, 2025 Websleuths post documented that his NamUs listing had become available by that date.

Latest Investigation Information

The case remained active at the one-year anniversary of Jesse’s disappearance.

On April 17, 2026, WEAU reported that the Price County Sheriff’s Office and Taylor County Sheriff’s Office were continuing their search for Jesse Yanske. His family again appealed for anyone with information—regardless of how insignificant it might seem—to contact investigators. The family also said that anonymous information could be provided to authorities.

A day later, WRCO/WRCE reported that there was an ongoing police investigation into Jesse’s disappearance and highlighted the reported Highway 13 sightings and possible sighting near the Westboro wayside.

As of the latest publicly available information reviewed through September 22, 2026, Jesse has not been publicly reported found, and no publicly identified suspect, arrest or confirmed explanation for his disappearance has been announced in the sources reviewed. Wisconsin’s official Clearinghouse continues to list Jesse as a missing person.

Very Brief Case Summary

Missing: April 17, 2025
Approximate time last seen: 9:30 p.m.
Last-seen area: Westboro area of Taylor County, Wisconsin, near State Highway 13; an early sheriff’s notice specified the Gunnar Road area, while the Wisconsin missing-person poster references Fawn Avenue and State Highway 13.

Circumstances: Jesse reportedly got out of a vehicle following an argument and did not have his cellphone with him. Later family reporting said his phone and wallet remained in the vehicle. Multiple people reportedly saw him walking along Highway 13 that evening, and WRCO/WRCE reported a call concerning a person matching his description at the Highway 13 Wayside near Westboro.

Search: Price and Taylor County authorities coordinated search efforts and asked residents and property owners along a large Highway 13 corridor to inspect properties, trail cameras and security footage.

Current status: Missing; the investigation and search were publicly described as continuing at the one-year anniversary in April 2026.

Anyone With Information

Anyone with information concerning Jesse Yanske’s disappearance is encouraged to contact the Price County Sheriff’s Office at (715) 339-3011 or the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office at (715) 748-2200. The Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Missing & Exploited Children & Adults can also be reached at 1-800-THE-HOPE (1-800-843-4673).

Even information that appears minor may help investigators establish Jesse’s movements on the night he disappeared.