Three years later, Goldi has still not been found and authorities say the case remains open.

Goldi, now 42, was last seen on Jan. 29, 2023. According to Detective Tabitha Turnacliff from the Escanaba Public Safety Department (EPSD) and Ian’s mother, Michele Goldi, the man’s last known location is reported to be the Quality Inn in Escanaba.

Before his disappearance, Ian resided in Iron Mountain where he worked construction. Michele believes he was visiting Escanaba to spend a few days partying, possibly intending to “get it out of his system” before sobering up and traveling to Garden to spending time with his children, Kyra and Kodey. Michele emphasized how much Ian’s children meant to him and how proud he was of them.

According to Michele, Kodey and Ian made arrangements for Kodey to pick Ian up from the hotel and then travel to Garden together. However, plans changed when Kodey received a text from his father about a day before he was supposed to arrive.

Michele Goldi, Ian Goldi's mother, encourages anyone with information on her son's missing person's case to come forward, whether they name themselves or wish to stay anonymous. The Goldi family pictured from left to right: Kyra, Ian's daughter; Ian; Michele, Ian's mother; Bill, Ian's father; and Kodey, Ian's son. (Courtesy photo)

“But then, Kodey told me later that before (Ian) was supposed to come – I think that day before – Kodey said, ‘Dad said never mind, he has a ride home.’ So, I figured, okay, he’s going home to his apartment to probably sober up.”

That was the last time anybody would hear from Ian. While Michele believed Ian could have been back at his apartment in Iron Mountain, she became suspicious after not hearing from him for about a week. Her husband and Ian’s father, Bill, was especially concerned after not hearing from his son.

“There would be periods of time – days, not weeks – where we didn’t talk or hear from him. But for him just to leave and nobody knew where he went or anything, no, he didn’t do that,” stated Michele.

Michele then contacted the Delta County Sheriff’s Office to report Ian missing.

“That’s why there was that lag (to report) there of just kind of assuming he was home in his apartment,” said Michele.

Michele noted she called Delta County authorities first because, apart from his last known location being Escanaba, Ian had lived in Escanaba for about 15 years before moving to Iron Mountain to start fresh over a year before he disappeared.

“I called the Escanaba police first, because the only reason he was in Iron Mountain was to get away from the drugs. He wanted to start a new life and work.”

However, because Ian was living in Iron Mountain, she was referred to the Iron Mountain Police Department (IMPD).

After the initial report to IMPD was made, Michele and her niece traveled to the Quality Inn in Escanaba to speak to the hotel’s staff in person. Upon arrival, they learned Ian’s name was not registered as having stayed at the hotel.

However, Michele knew her son was there, as she had ordered a pizza to be delivered to Ian’s room during his stay. Michele wouldn’t be without answers for long, though.

“When we went back there, the girls at the desk said, ‘We got somebody for you to talk to.’ It was the housekeeper who signed her name.”

Michele explained Ian was with a friend who knew one of the housekeepers at the hotel. This housekeeper registered her name to Ian and the friend’s room to give them a discounted rate.

“From what I understand, there were different people that were coming and going, friends of his,” said Michele.

While this incident has previously been reported elsewhere as Ian signing into the hotel under a false name, that narrative is incorrect, stated Michele.

She noted it has also been falsely reported that there was a suspicious encounter involving Ian at Anytime Fitness in Iron Mountain.

“When (IMPD) talked to Anytime Fitness, they said the last time they’d seen him, he was in there and a friend of his came and talked to him and they left together. They said nothing about anything being suspicious.”

According to Michele, police checked Ian’s apartment in Iron Mountain after she reported him missing, but he was not there. Police also checked the apartment building’s cameras, though results of those investigative efforts are unknown.

While Michele stated Goldi struggled with substance abuse for most of his adult life, he was optimistic for his future. While he had been laid off from his construction position at the Billerud Paper Mill in Quinnesec, he was looking forward to working the next job that came his way, and he was particularly proud of being a laborer in the LIUNA Local 1329 union.

“He was saving up money, he bought a car – like I said, he had struggled with addiction for many years. He was working on getting his driver’s license back and paying [back fines].”

Ian previously served time in the Delta County Jail, and before his release, arranged to go straight to an Iron Mountain sober living house. He then moved into an apartment and had resided in Iron Mountain for over a year before he disappeared in January 2023.

“He had decided he had enough, and he wanted to [continue to live a sober lifestyle] and get out of that kind of life.”

IMPD eventually handed over Ian’s case to EPSD, which Turnacliff continues to actively investigate.

“Ours is open until we know he’s not in the city or it’s not involving the city,” said Turnacliff. “The last we knew is he was in the city, and I’m not going to close it until I know otherwise.”

Today, there are three detectives with EPSD assigned to work the case. The department has also utilized the Delta County Search and Rescue team multiple times, including early search efforts.

According to Turnacliff, drones have been used in the investigation, and the Michigan State Police have assisted in following up on tips.

Michele said she and her niece remain in regular contact with investigators.

“They’ve done several searches, and they’ve taken my calls and listened, and every lead that I know of, they’ve followed up on. I don’t have any complaints at all – I have nothing but praise for them.”

Ian’s information is also entered into a national database for missing and unidentified people.

“When you have a missing person, they can be entered into NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System),” said Turnacliff. “This system contains information on the missing person which can include dental, DNA, fingerprints and other information related to the person missing. This allows the data to be held in a centralized location that is accessible nationwide.”

Turnacliff clarified EPSD did not enter Ian’s information into NamUs. The database states his information was entered on June 13, 2023.

According to NamUs, Ian is a white male described as having black hair and hazel eyes. He was 5’11 and weighed 200 pounds at the time of his disappearance.

The database also states Goldi has scars on his left forearm, right face, upper left back and upper left shoulder. He has “Goldi” tattooed on his back left arm, “Sara Lynn” on his center right forearm, “Only God Can Judge Me” on his chest and a cross with “Kodey” inscribed with the date 11/09/04 on his right shoulder.

Michele also encourages anyone with information on her son’s case to send her a letter, anonymous or otherwise.

“I believe somebody knows. People know, and I’m hoping that someone would have the courage to just come forward, and even if it’s just the information of getting an anonymous note in the mail… just the information, I don’t even care who it’s from.”

Those with information can send letters to:

Michele Goldi

Garden, Michigan 49835

Anyone with information about Goldi’s disappearance should contact Central Dispatch at 906-786-5911 or, during business hours, 906-786-5912. Callers can leave a message with the detective department after business hours, as well. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Tip411.

“This is completely anonymous, and the identity of the person submitting the tip cannot be found, unless that person provides contact information to reach them,” assured Turnacliff.

“When something like this happens, they’re scared to come forward because they don’t want to get involved maybe… they just don’t want that kind of attention,” said Michele. “I understand why people don’t want to (come forward), but I just hope somebody will do it anyway.”

Michele emphasized her gratefulness and appreciation to members of the community who have sent prayers, words of comfort and support over the past three years.