Disappearance of Weldon Kees (Nebraska)

Reference TimelineLast updated APR 15
SUMMARY

An hour-long film exploring the life and spirit of Weldon Kees, a Nebraska-born poet, writer, painter, filmmaker, and musician last seen in July 1955, was released in January 2026, featuring commentary from writers like Boris Dralyuk. As of January 2026, the film aims to capture his unique artistic persona, while a new catalog of his work from the collection of poet Dana Gioia was released in December 2025. In 2023, a collection of Kees's materials, including manuscripts, diaries, and letters, was donated to a university. Three days before his disappearance, Kees reportedly confessed to attempting to jump from the Golden Gate Bridge but losing his nerve, providing insight into his state of mind.

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April 2026 — 1 developments

  1. In January 2026, an hour-long film exploring the life and spirit of Weldon Kees was released, featuring commentary from writers like Boris Dralyuk.

    In January 2026, an hour-long film exploring the life and spirit of Weldon Kees was released, featuring commentary from writers like Boris Dralyuk. The film aims to capture his unique artistic persona. Kees, a Nebraska-born poet, writer, painter, filmmaker, and musician, was last seen in July 1955.

January 2026 — 1 developments

  1. While police were searching Weldon Kees's apartment after his disappearance, the phone rang but no one was on the other end.

    While police were searching Weldon Kees's apartment after his disappearance, the phone rang but no one was on the other end.

December 2025 — 1 developments

  1. A new catalog of Weldon Kees's work from the collection of poet Dana Gioia has been released, bringing fresh attention to the poet and his enduring mystery.

    A new catalog of Weldon Kees's work from the collection of poet Dana Gioia has been released, bringing fresh attention to the poet and his enduring mystery. This catalog showcases Gioia's collection of Kees's materials.

January 2023 — 1 developments

  1. In 2023, a collection of Kees's materials, including manuscripts, diaries, audio recordings, radio scripts, and letters, was donated to University.

    In 2023, a collection of Kees's materials, including manuscripts, diaries, audio recordings, radio scripts, and letters, was donated to University.

July 2022 — 1 developments

  1. Three days before his disappearance, Weldon Kees reportedly confessed to attempting to jump from the Golden Gate Bridge but losing his nerve.

    Three days before his disappearance, Weldon Kees reportedly confessed to attempting to jump from the Golden Gate Bridge but losing his nerve. This provides insight into his state of mind prior to vanishing.

May 2017 — 2 developments

  1. Weldon Kees reportedly had plans for the coming weeks before his disappearance, a detail not previously noted in the existing information about his case.

    Weldon Kees reportedly had plans for the coming weeks before his disappearance, a detail not previously noted in the existing information about his case.

  2. After Kees's disappearance, his mother donated his literary estate to Lincoln City Libraries.

    After Kees's disappearance, his mother donated his literary estate to Lincoln City Libraries. The collection includes papers collected from Kees' apartment by his parents after his disappearance, as well as photographs.

January 2003 — 1 developments

  1. James Reidel published a biography of Kees titled 'Vanished Act: The Life and Art of Weldon Kees.

    James Reidel published a biography of Kees titled 'Vanished Act: The Life and Art of Weldon Kees.'

January 1986 — 1 developments

  1. A volume of Kees's correspondence, 'Weldon Kees and the Midcentury Generation: Letters, 1935–1955,' was published by the University of Nebraska Press.

    A volume of Kees's correspondence, 'Weldon Kees and the Midcentury Generation: Letters, 1935–1955,' was published by the University of Nebraska Press.

January 1960 — 1 developments

  1. Donald Justice, a poet who admired Kees's work, compiled and edited 'The Collected Poems of Weldon Kees,' which was subsequently released as a trade paperback.

    Donald Justice, a poet who admired Kees's work, compiled and edited 'The Collected Poems of Weldon Kees,' which was subsequently released as a trade paperback.

July 1955 — 2 developments

  1. Kees's 1954 Plymouth Savoy was found abandoned in a parking lot on the Marin County side of the Golden Gate Bridge, with the keys in the ignition.

    Kees's 1954 Plymouth Savoy was found abandoned in a parking lot on the Marin County side of the Golden Gate Bridge, with the keys in the ignition. A search of his apartment revealed his cat, Lonesome, and a pair of red socks soaking in the sink, but his watch, wallet, sleeping bag, and savings account book (containing $800) were missing.

  2. Kees had drinks with his friend Michael Grieg, discussing plans to either commit suicide or move to Mexico.

    Kees had drinks with his friend Michael Grieg, discussing plans to either commit suicide or move to Mexico.

September 1954 — 1 developments

February 1914 — 1 developments