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Cold cases include missing persons, accidents, or crimes that have yet to be solved and have no active leads. New information could come from new witness testimony, new or retained physical evidence, activities of a suspect, or other sources. Please scroll through this roster of cold cases being investigated by Special Agents of the NPS Investigative Services Branch.
Looking for information about a case not listed here? See our case updates, or visit the NPS News page - filter news releases by keyword and/or by location. You may also contact a park or site directly - use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of each National Park Service site's official page.
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Name: James Pruitt
Missing from: Rocky Mountain National Park
Date Missing: February 28, 2019
Description: Pruitt was 70 years old when he went missing. White male, 5'06" tall, 150 pounds, blue eyes, and brown/gray hair. Believed to have been wearing a dark blue jacket, red/orange beanie style hat, blue jeans, and carrying a small camera bag with a Nikon Coolpix 900 camera.
Case Info: Pruitt left from the Glacier Gorge parking lot on February 28, 2019, for a day hike to an unknown destination. US Park Rangers located his vehicle on March 3, 2019, and determined that though it had been parked overnight, no backcountry permit was associated with it. Rangers contacted Pruitt's family, who advised them that Pruitt had no intentions of staying overnight in the park, and they had last heard from him on February 28. The National Park Service initiated extensive search efforts in the area. Due to a lack of clues and extreme winter conditions, the search entered limited continuous operations on March 11, 2019. Additional coordinated search efforts were conducted on multiple occasions during the summer and fall of 2019.
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Missing from: Grand Canyon National Park
Date Missing: September 17, 2017
Description: Won was 45 years old at the time he went missing. Asian male, 5'07" tall, 121 pounds, brown eyes, black hair.
Case Info: A white Toyota Camry belonging to Jonghyon Won of Los Angeles, CA was found at Moran Point on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on September 17, 2017. The vehicle was previously seen near the New Hance Trailhead. Won had no known plans in the area and his current whereabouts are unknown.
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Name: Peter Jackson
Missing from: Yosemite National Park
Date Missing: September 17, 2016
Description: Jackson was 74 years old at the time he went missing. White male, 5'10" tall, 155 pounds, blue eyes, gray hair and beard. Excellent physical condition. Carrying a royal blue Outdoor Products daypack.
Case Info: Jackson is believed to have gone for a day hike from his campsite at White Wolf Campground, but he did not return. He had sent a text message to his son saying that he was on his way to the park on September 17, 2016. His vehicle was found at the campground, and camping fees were paid through September 21, 2016. As of October 2, 2016, the search for Jackson was placed in continuous, limited mode. In August 2019, Jackson's backpack was found in the Ackerson Meadow/Aspen Valley area on the west side of Yosemite National Park.
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Name: Floyd E. Roberts, III
Missing from: Grand Canyon National Park
Date Missing: June 17, 2016
Description: Roberts was 52 years old at the time he went missing. White male, 5’11” tall, 170 pounds, brown/grey hair and brown eyes. Last seen wearing a red long-sleeved shirt, blue denim jeans, multi-colored mesh Nike Free sneakers, large blue Lowe Alpine Contour backpack, and white-rimmed sunglasses with orange lenses. Carrying a daypack.
Case Info: Roberts became separated from companions during extreme heat conditions while starting a multi-day hike in a remote portion of western Grand Canyon on the Shivwits Plateau. The group planned a 9 day hike that would exit the canyon via Separation Canyon. He was last seen near Kelly Tank heading towards Trail Canyon/214 Mile Canyon (Shanley Spring area) towards the river but may have descended into 209 Mile Canyon. Following an intensive 6 day search effort the incident remains unresolved; the search for Roberts is in continuous, limited mode.
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Name: Morgan Heimer
Missing from: Grand Canyon National Park
Date Missing: June 2, 2015
Description: Heimer was 22 years old when he went missing. White male, 6’0” tall, 175 pounds, blond hair and blue eyes. Last seen wearing dark-colored Astral personal flotation device, a blue plaid long sleeve shirt, Chaco brand sandals, a maroon baseball cap, and brightly colored shorts. Carrying a purple water bottle.
Case Info: Heimer was last seen on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 around Colorado River mile 213 near Pumpkin Springs. The search for Heimer is in continuous, limited mode.
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Name: Drake Kramer
Missing from: Grand Canyon National Park
Date Missing: January 31, 2015
Description: Kramer was 21 years old at the time he went missing. White male, 5’08” tall, 140 pounds, brown hair and blue eyes. Wears dark colored clothes and is known to wear a backwards ball cap or dark colored bandana on his head. Drove a silver Mazda 6 sedan to the park.
Case Info: Kramer was last seen at the Bright Angel Lodge and is believed to be suicidal. The search for Kramer is in continuous, limited mode.
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Name: Derek J. Lueking
Missing from: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Date Missing: March 17, 2012
Description: Lueking was 24 years old at the time he went missing. White male, 5'11" tall, 220 pounds, green eyes, brown hair, short beard. Last seen wearing black track pants, white tennis shoes. Possibly had Real-tree camouflage rain gear with him and a small dark-colored day pack.
Case Info: Lueking was last seen leaving the Microtel Hotel on March 3, 2012, in Cherokee, North Carolina. His car was found parked in the lower lot of Newfound Gap at the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. Lueking's direction of travel from Newfound Gap is unknown.
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Missing from: Grand Canyon National Park
Date Missing: March 31, 2011
Description: 23-year-old male, 5'07" tall, 140 pounds, blue eyes, light brown hair.
Case Info: Jones was last seen by family in Gulf Breeze, Florida on March 31, 2011. His vehicle was found in Grand Canyon National Park at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (South Rim) on May 5, 2011.
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Name: George Penca
Missing from: Yosemite National Park
Date Missing: June 17, 2011
Description: Penca was 30 years old when he went missing. White male, 5'10" tall, 240 pounds, dark brown hair, blue eyes. Last seen wearing gray sweatpants with a white stripe down the leg, either a black T-shirt with "D & B" on the front or a black tank top, and gray/blue running shoes. He was carrying a blue cloth bag.
Case Info: Penca was hiking with a group when he became separated and went off by himself. He was last seen at about 2:40 pm on June 17, 2011 at the top of Upper Yosemite Falls.
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Name: Samuel Boehlke
Missing from: Crater Lake National Park
Date Missing: Ocbtober 14, 2006
Description: Boehlke was 8 years old when he went missing. White male, 4'08" tall, 85 pounds, light brown hair, brown eyes. Last seen wearing a long-sleeve black and green striped shirt, cargo pants, red suede shoes, and a blue winter coat. He has a mole under his right ear and a mole on the left side of his throat.
Case Info: Boehlke was last seen at about 4:00 pm on October 14, 2006 in Crater Lake National Park. His information is also listed on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.
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Name: Michael Ficery
Missing from: Yosemite National Park
Date Missing: June 21, 2005
Description: Ficery was 51 years old when he went missing. White male, 5'10" tall, 165 pounds, gray shoulder-length hair, gray beard, eyeglasses. Last seen wearing faded blue or blue-gray T-shirt, olive-green or khaki shorts, and a faded red or pink scarf.
Case Info: Ficery was reported to be hiking in the Tiltill Valley area of Yosemite National Park northeast of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.
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Location: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Date: Found murdered on April 13, 2005
Suspect Info: Unsolved.
Case Info: Arman Johnson was found by a park visitor near Kahuku Ranch, close to the park's southern boundary. Johnson was 44 years old at the time he was killed; he was wearing a tank-top, shorts, socks, and slippers. He had moved to the Big Island from Seattle, WA in 1984, and hosted a local radio show. Though the suspect and motive are yet unknown, evidence indicates Johnson suffered a single gunshot wound to his upper back/neck. Investigators believe the murder took place where the body was found, about 100 yards off Mamalahoa Highway. The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continue to work on this active, ongoing investigation, and offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the resolution of this cold case. "A decade has passed since the murder of Arman Johnson. We are hoping that the passage of time may embolden a witness to come forward and tell us the truth about how and why this tragic act of violence occurred," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Delacourt.
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Name: Walther H. Reinhard
Missing from: Yosemite National Park
Date Missing: September 30, 2002
Description: Reinhard was 66 years old when he went missing. White male, 5'08" tall, 145 pounds, graying brown hair becoming thin, no facial hair, fair complexion. Possibly wearing a gray felt Alpine hat as in the image of Reinhard, and leather hiking boots. Reinhard usually carried a large fannypack.
Case Info: Reinhard's vehicle was found at the White Wolf Trailhead on September 30, 2002. It is likely that he began a hike from the trailhead on or around September 19, 2002.
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Name: Ruthanne Ruppert
Missing from: Yosemite National Park
Date Missing: August 14, 2000
Description: Ruppert was 49 years old when she went missing. White female, 5'05" tall, 140 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes. Ruppert has a prosthetic eye.
Case Info: Ruppert was last seen in the Curry Village area or the Yosemite Medical Clinic at about noon on Monday, August 14, 2000. She was scheduled to go on a backpacking trip in the park but had to postpone trip due to an infection. She is believed to have gone on a day hike from Yosemite Falls to the Foresta area based on witness observation. Ruppert's backpack was found in 2008 in the Fireplace Creek drainage, an area consistent with the hiking route from Yosemite Falls to Foresta.
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Missing from: Yosemite National Park
Date Missing: April 5, 2000
Description: Burke was 45 years old when he went missing. White male from Ireland, 6'00" tall, 180 pounds, thinning black hair, blue eyes.
Case Info: Burke was last seen in the Curry Village area of Yosemite Valley at about 10:00 am on April 5, 2000. He is believed to have been preparing to start a hike.
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Name: David Paul Morrison
Missing from: Yosemite National Park
Date Missing: May 25, 1998
Description: Morrison was 28 years old when he went missing. White male, 5'09" tall, 150 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes. Last seen wearing a gray long-sleeve UCSC sweatshirt, black pants, Nike running shoes, and a black, green, and yellow fannypack.
Case Info: Morrison was last seen in Yosemite Valley at 5:30 am on May 25, 1998 hiking to Half Dome.
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Missing from: Yellowstone National Park
Date Missing: April 8, 1991
Description: Campbell was 42 years old at the time he went missing. White male, 5'08" tall, green eyes, brown hair. Hiking with an Australian shepherd dog.
Case Info: Campbell and his dog were dropped off at a trailhead for Hellroaring Creek on April 4, 1991. He may have intended to collect elk antlers. Campbell was reported missing on April 8, 1991. No sign of Campbell or his dog has been found.
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Name: Timothy "Tim" Barnes
Missing from: Yosemite National Park
Date Missing: July 5, 1988
Description: Barnes was 25 years old when he went missing. White male, 6'03" tall, 180 pounds, dark brown to black straight hair worn parted in the middle and shoulder-length, brown mustache, brown eyes, small bump or wart on right side of nose. Last seen wearing a white T-shirt with a red circle around a red letter F with a slash through the letter F, gray sweatpants, worn white tennis shoes, brown-framed sunglasses, and carrying a yellow daypack.
Case Info: Barnes was last seen walking north from the Murphy Creek Trailhead at Tenaya Lake at 9:00 am on July 5, 1988. He was starting a day hike to Poly Domes.
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Name: Thelma Pauline "Polly" Melton
Missing from: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Date Missing: September 25, 1981
Description: Melton was 58 years old when she went missing. White female, 5'10" tall, 180 pounds, brown eyes, red hair. Last seen wearing a pink and white blouse, tan slacks, low-cut tan shoes, and eyeglasses.
Case Info: Melton was last seen hiking on the Deep Creek Trail. Her companions lost sight of her as she walked ahead at a faster pace.
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Name: Stacey Anne Arras
Missing from: Yosemite National Park
Date Missing: July 17, 1981
Description: Arras was 14 years old when she went missing. White female, 5'05" tall, 120 pounds, blond shoulder-length hair (naturally straight). Last seen wearing a white pullover windbreaker, white jersey blouse with a square neckline and lace trim, shorts with vertical half-inch maroon and white stripes and intermittent sky-blue pinstripes, gray hiking boots (rough outer leather and Vibram soles), gold-tone anklet, and a retainer on her upper teeth.
Case Info: Arras began a four-day trip with her father on the High Sierra Loop at Tuolumne Meadows. They were part of a group of 10 people riding mules to the Sunrise High Sierra Camp. The group arrived at Sunrise at about 3:00 pm on July 17, 1981. After settling in to her cabin and taking a shower, Arras began a 1.5-mile hike along the trail to Sunrise Lakes. She intended to hike with a 77-year-old man who was part of the group that rode to Sunrise that day. Before getting far along the trail, the man became tired and sat down to rest. The guide who led the ride to Sunrise was working at the corral and noticed Arras standing on a rock about 50 yards south of the trail. The guide was reportedly the last person to see Arras.
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Missing from: Chiricahua National Monument
Date Missing: January 13, 1980
Description: Age 41 at the time he went missing.
Case Info: Almost 40 years after Chiricahua National Monument Ranger Paul Fugate went for a hike and vanished without a trace, the National Park Service (NPS) has raised its reward fund in the case to $60,000. Decades after initial leads in Fugate’s disappearance grew cold, new information has prompted NPS investigators and Cochise County (AZ) Sheriff Mark Dannels to renew their request for the public’s help in solving the 38-year-old mystery. On January 13, 1980, Paul Braxton Fugate, then age 41, was working in the monument’s visitor center in southeastern Arizona. At about 2 p.m. that day, he left the building to hike a park trail and was never seen again. Ranger Fugate was wearing his “green and gray” Park Service uniform, including the official NPS Arrowhead patch on his upper shirtsleeve and a gold-colored ranger badge pinned over his heart. Although search teams combed the surrounding area extensively multiple times, they found no sign of the missing ranger. Investigators suspected foul play early on, and a formal missing-person case remains open. During the first few years after Fugate’s disappearance, the reward fund grew to $20,000. With this renewed focus, the NPS is now offering up to $60,000 for information leading to Fugate’s whereabouts and/or the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for his disappearance.
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Name: Teresa "Trenny" Gibson
Missing from: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Date Missing: October 8, 1976
Description: Gibson was 16 years old when she went missing. White female, 5'03" tall, 115 pounds, brown eyes, brown hair. Last seen wearing a brown plaid jacket, a blue-and-white striped sweater, blue jeans, and blue Adidas shoes.
Case Info: Gibson was last seen hiking with a high school group from Knoxville, Tennessee. She disappeared as the group hiked back from Andrew's Bald Trail to the Clingmans Dome parking area.
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Name: Dikran Knadjian
Missing from: Yosemite National Park
Date Missing: July 24, 1972
Description: Knadjian was 20 years old when he went missing. White male of Armenian descent, 5'11" tall, 182 pounds, brown eyes, brown hair. Last seen wearing a white metal Omega Sea Master wristwatch and carrying a Pentax 35mm camera.
Case Info: Knadjian was last seen in Curry Village in Yosemite Valley on July 24, 1972.
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Name: Dennis Lloyd Martin
Missing from: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Date Missing: June 14, 1969
Description: Martin was 7 years old when he went missing. White male, 4'01" tall, 55 pounds, dark brown eyes, dark brown, wavy hair. Last seen wearing a red T-shirt, green trousers, and low-cut Oxford-style shoes.
Case Info: Martin was last seen playing with other children while on a family outing with his parents at the Spence Field area of the Appalachian Trail.
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Location: just outside Rocky Mountain National Park
Date: August 1958
Suspect Info: Unsolved.
Case Info: Bobby Bizup was 10 years old in August 1958 when he went missing from Camp St. Malo in Estes Park, CO, immediately adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park. In 1959, Bobby's remains were located within park boundaries. The cause, nature, and circumstances of his disappearance and death were never definitively established. The location where his remains were found had been searched at the time of his disappearance by personnel of the military, local police, the National Park Service (NPS), and other resources. The NPS Investigative Services Branch has opened an investigation into Bobby's death.
NPS photo by the Investigative Services Branch.
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