Joe Pichler

Joseph David Wolfgang Pichler (February 14, 1987 – disappeared January 5, 2006) was an American child actor. Pichler has been missing since January 5, 2006.

Joe Pichler
Born
Joseph David Wolfgang Pichler

(1987-02-14)February 14, 1987
Bremerton, Washington, U.S.
DisappearedJanuary 5, 2006 (aged 18)
StatusMissing for 15 years and 30 days
OccupationActor
Years active1996–2002
AwardsYoung Artist Award: Best Performance in a Feature Film or TV Movie - Young Ensemble
1999 Shiloh 2

Life and career

The fourth of five children, Pichler relocated to Los Angeles as a child to pursue his acting career. He had some success, most notably appearing in several movies and television shows. With the exception of a handful of memorable supporting roles, he is probably best known for his recurring role as Brennan Newton in the third and fourth (direct-to-video) installments of the Beethoven movies—family-oriented comedies about the antics of a mischievous St. Bernard.

In 2003, at the insistence of his family, he returned to his hometown of Bremerton, Washington (which is across Puget Sound and about 16 miles west of Seattle), and graduated from high school there in 2005. According to family, Pichler had planned to return to Los Angeles in the following year (after the braces were removed from his teeth) to continue with his acting career. At the time of his disappearance, Pichler lived on his own in Bremerton across town from his parents, his younger brother Matthew "A.J." Pichler and his older sister Samantha.

Disappearance

Pichler was last seen on January 5, 2006.[1][2] According to the Charley Project, the friends who last saw him stated he was in good spirits while he was with them.[3]

His car, a silver 2005 Toyota Corolla, was found on January 9, 2006, at the intersection of Wheaton Way and Sheridan Road. He was reported as officially missing by his family on January 16.

According to his family's statements to the media at the time, the last outgoing call on Pichler's cell phone was placed at 4:08 a.m., on January 5, to a friend who had said that he had been visiting with Pichler earlier in the day.[3]

According to the Associated Press, Pichler's family stated that a note found within the car expressed a wish to be a "stronger brother" and asked that personal effects of Pichler's be given to a younger brother, although the family did not characterize this finding as a suicide note.[4] The lead detective on the case, Robbie Davis, told the Associated Press that "There's a good indication that it might have been a suicide, but we don’t know that," adding that there was no reason to suspect foul play.[4]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1996In the HouseBryanEpisode: "To Die For"
1996Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanLittle BoyEpisode: "Through a Glass, Darkly"
1996The FanSick Sean
1997Prison of SecretsZachTV movie
1997GunTadEpisode: "The Hole"
1998Touched by an AngelAlex CraigEpisode: "The Trigger"
1998Music From Another RoomYoung Billy
1999Varsity BluesKyle Moxon
1999Shiloh 2: Shiloh SeasonDavid Howard
2000Beethoven's 3rdBrennan Newton
2001When Good Ghouls Go BadDanny WalkerTV movie
2001Beethoven's 4thBrennan Newton
2002The Nightmare RoomGaryEpisode: "Camp Nowhere" (Parts 1 and 2)
2002Children on Their BirthdaysBilly Bob Murphy(final film role)

References
  1. Former child actor Joe Pichler missing USATODAY.com 2006-01-16, Associated Press
  2. "Former child movie actor Joe Pichler missing, suicidal note found; was in 'Beethoven' comedies". News on 6. January 16, 2006.
  3. "Joseph David Wolfgang Pichler". The Charley Project. December 9, 2012.
  4. "Former 'Beethoven' child actor is missing". TODAY.com. NBC. Associated Press. 17 January 2006.
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