Vernon Karl Otto was 66 when he was last seen in Stead, Manitoba, on May 29, 2018. Family members say he planned to run errands, do yard work and possibly look at a crawler tractor; the last confirmed contact was about 1:00 p.m., when he was believed to be working in a field near his home.

The day after Vernon disappeared his 2005 white Chevrolet Silverado pickup was found burned a short distance from his house on Road 94 North, west of Highway 12. Investigators determined the fire was arson. In September 2022 the RCMP reclassified the case as a homicide after reviewing tips and evidence gathered over the previous four years.

Authorities have asked anyone who saw or had contact with Vernon on May 29, 2018, or who dealt with him about buying or selling large farm equipment that month to come forward. Did anyone in the Stead area have recent contact with Vernon or information about equipment transactions in May 2018?