By: Shane Lambert Original time of writing: August 15th, 2025
Recent News in Missing Persons Cases
Grant Gardner: Ongoing Search in Wyoming’s Wilderness
In Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest, the search for 38-year-old Grant Gardner, a seasoned hiker from Lakeville, Minnesota, continues more than two weeks after he vanished on July 29th, 2025. The case has been covered by several mainstream publishers, including KTVQ (Aug 13th, 2025).
Gardner embarked on a solo hike, one that was originally planned to be multiday. He aimed to go to the Misty Moon Lake area and to summit Cloud Peak, the range’s highest peak at 13,000 feet. He texted his wife, Lauren, on July 29th, confirming he had reached the summit but noted the climb was more taxing than anticipated. That was the last anyone heard from him.
The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office launched a search on August 1st after Gardner failed to return as planned. His vehicle was found at the West Ten Sleep trailhead, and his entry in the hiking log confirmed his planned route. Sheriff Ken Blackburn described the Cloud Peak Wilderness as “deceptively expansive” and “unforgiving,” with boulder fields, crevasses, and high-altitude snow complicating efforts. The phrase "deceptively expansive" could describe an area that looks manageable when surveyed but ends up being a much larger challenge than at first anticipated.
Missing hikers, not to be confused with missing hitchhikers, are commonly covered at this blog. One significant risk factor is hiking alone. But in Gardner’s case, the comment regarding the difficulty of the hike is significant, I think. The effects of fatigue are pervasive and can contribute to a broad array of challenges.
Alec Luhn: A Journalist Found Alive in Norway
In a rare positive outcome, American journalist Alec Luhn was found alive after going missing during a backpacking trip in Norway. Details of his disappearance remain limited, but his safe recovery has brought relief to colleagues and loved ones. CNN is one news agency that has covered his case.
While specifics of Luhn’s ordeal—such as how he became lost or survived—are not widely available, his case serves as a reminder that not all missing persons stories end in tragedy. The factors contributing to his rescue, whether preparation, luck, or swift action by authorities, offer hope and a contrast to the uncertainty surrounding other cases.
Katie Hong: A Teen’s Safe Return in California
In Fremont, California, 16-year-old Katie Hong’s disappearance sparked widespread concern after she went missing following an online encounter. Hong vanished in late July 2025, prompting a two-week search by her family and local law enforcement. Fears of exploitation or foul play loomed large, given the risks associated with online interactions for young people. Fortunately, Hong was found safe on August 12th, though authorities have released few details to protect her privacy.
Her safe return highlights the importance of community vigilance and coordinated police work. The case also underscores the growing dangers of online platforms, where predators can exploit vulnerabilities. Hong’s family endured weeks of anguish, a common thread in missing persons cases, but their relief at her recovery reflects the hope that drives such searches. Her story serves as a cautionary tale for parents and teens navigating the digital landscape.
Giovanni Pelletier: A Tragic End in Florida
Tragically, not all cases end with reunions. Giovanni Pelletier, an 18-year-old from Massachusetts, went missing during a family vacation in Florida in late July 2025. According to posts on X, Pelletier was last seen in the early hours of August 1st after leaving Englewood with cousins.
A distressing “Help” text sent at 1:30 a.m., followed by the discovery of his phone and backpack near Interstate 75, intensified the search. Efforts initially focused on Englewood but later shifted to Manatee County. On August 9th, a body was found in a retention pond and confirmed to be Pelletier’s on August 10th. An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death.
Pelletier’s death has left his family and community devastated. His case illustrates the rapid escalation possible in missing persons incidents and the challenges of coordinating searches across jurisdictions. The “Help” text suggests he was in distress, but the circumstances remain unclear, leaving loved ones grappling with unanswered questions. This tragic outcome underscores the urgency of swift action in such cases.
Name: Brian Douglas Faughnan Age at Disappearance: 35 Born: June 6th, 1967 Date Missing: July 12th, 2002 (Friday) Location: Whistler, British Columbia, Canada Sex: Male
Ethnicity: Caucasian Height: 6'0" Weight: Approximately 185 lbs. Hair Color: Looks brown/blonde in photo Eye Color: Not specified; likely wearing glasses (clear or prescription sunglasses) Distinctive Characteristics: Not noted in provided sources
Clothing and Accessories:
Possibly wearing a lightweight bright red windbreaker or a darker red jacket.
Likely wearing shorts, but if wearing pants, possibly Columbia Trekker Convertible Pants in "fossil" color (grey-beige).
May have been wearing a denim baseball cap, particularly in sun-exposed areas.
Carrying a yellow 50 L Mountain Equipment Co-Op backpack, possibly with a climbing or ice axe lashed to it.
Occupation: Aerospace engineer and science fiction screenwriter from Montreal. Family: Brothers John and Steven Faughnan mentioned. Government Source: RCMP Reference File 02-4306
Transportation
No vehicle details provided. Brian may have been hitchhiking to the Rainbow Mountain trailhead, as speculated by his family, but no confirmation exists.
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Case Overview
Last Known Location: Brian Douglas Faughnan was last seen leaving the Shoestring Lodge in Whistler mid-morning on Friday, July 12th, 2002, after asking for directions to the Rainbow Mountain trailhead. This sighting was on video footage at 9:57am that morning, according to an online source (Brian Faughnan - Summary).
That makes the lodge his last-known location and it was located at 7124 Nancy Greene Drive. In modern times, that would be near Nester's Market on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. The lodge does not appear on Google Maps, to my knowledge, as the intersection only went back to September 2007.
The lodge has been closed for quite a number of years. But it looks like it was a hostel or on the budget-friendly side for sure. I am thinking "Shoestring" might have been a play on "shoestring budget." An article from 2007 in Pique Newsmagazine referenced the closure and budget orientation (Vivian Moreau/July 28th, 2007).
The online source suggested other places are possible areas where Brian was last seen. This included a conversation with a man named Steve, who operated the tour bus that Brian was with. Furthermore, the same article suggests Brian may have gone to a place called Wild Willy's (probably Whistler Village). I think this was a ski shop but for summertime Whistler tourists, maybe it offered services to hikers. There are no definite or confirmed sightings after he left the lodge, to my knowledge, and it’s unknown if he reached the trails.
Comparing Brian Faughnan’s Disappearance to Paula Jean Welden’s Case: History Repeats Itself?
At the heart of Brian Douglas Faughnan’s disappearance in Whistler, British Columbia, in 2002, lies a striking parallel with another missing hiker from across the decades and across the continent. Paula Jean Welden's case shares eerie similarities to Brian's. For readers familiar with Brian’s story, Paula’s case offers a haunting comparison, particularly in their shared dependence on guidance before embarking on their journeys.
Central to Brian’s last-known activities was his reliance on directions and this shows an apparent disorientation from the outset of his hiking plans. Paula Jean Welden was like this as well and her sustained disappearance for nearly 80 years as of 2025 casts a grim shadow over Brian's case.
Paula Jean Welden was an 18-year-old college student who vanished on December 1st, 1946, while attempting to hike the Long Trail near Glastenbury Mountain, Vermont. Unfamiliar with the area, she relied on directions from others: a man named Lou Knapp dropped her off near Route 9 around 2:45 PM, and another man named Ernie Whitman guided her toward the trail around 4:00 PM, just before sunset.
Like Brian, Paula’s dependence on external guidance highlights a critical vulnerability. Brian needed directions to the Rainbow Mountain trail network and even just The Valley Trail, which runs throughout Whistler. He was lost from the start—not just physically but in his planning. He did not appear ready to tackle a challenging trip in the rugged Coast Mountains, where harsh weather and remote terrain could easily overwhelm a solo hiker.
Both cases also raise the specter of hitchhiking-related disappearances. Paula was known to have hitchhiked the day she disappeared but she survived that part of her day.
Similarly, Brian’s family speculated he might have been abducted while hitchhiking to a trailhead, given his lack of confirmed transportation after leaving the Shoestring Lodge. While no evidence confirms abduction in either case, the hitchhiking element introduces a shared risk of encountering danger en route.
But, in my opinion, Paula and Brian’s reliance on directions underscores their unfamiliarity with their environments, amplifying the perils of solo hiking. Brian’s apparent disorientation mirrors Paula’s struggle to locate her trailhead, suggesting both were ill-prepared for the challenges ahead. For Brian, this initial confusion paints a bleak picture of his chances in the unforgiving Coast Mountains, much like Paula’s likely fate in Vermont’s frozen wilderness, leaving both cases as enduring mysteries of hikers lost to the unknown.
Brian Douglas Faughnan: Youth Hostel Connections
The "youth hostel" tag does not appear with a lot of missing people on my website. However, I can think of a couple of cases where a missing person's case was associated with one.
Elisa Lam was last seen on footage at the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles, which offered hostel-like dorms in some rooms. Also, Angela Hartmann was a backpacker in western Canada who used hostels and has been missing for decades. I think they are a bit riskier to use because the cheaper the place, the bigger the chance is of meeting someone on the clandestine side.
Author: Shane Lambert Original time of writing: April 7th, 2021
Introduction to Missing Trail Hikers
I have been looking at both NamUs and Canada's Missing databases for missing people for the last couple of weeks. In particular, I have been interested in missing person cases where a hiking trail is central to the disappearance. The tag I've associated with all blog posts at this site that have to do a trail and/or a missing hiker is "trail hiking series." You can find this hashtag at the end of this blog post. By clicking on it, you will bring up all the related articles.
When I first thought of the "trail hiking series," admittedly, I wanted to look at about 40 cases that involved trails and/or hiking. However, I have fallen short of that for the time being. Nonetheless, even in a small sample space of cases, I've been able to recognize a couple of distinct patterns with missing people whose case files are associated with nature trails and/or hiking. Please, have a look at the two patterns below that emerged as I studied several cases.
Lost Hikers: Recognizing the Patterns
Pattern #1: An unfit, unequipped, and solo hiker uses a dangerous trail. He or she is not heard from again but his or her vehicle is found at the trailhead or parking lot for the park or trail network.
I selected six cases where Pattern #1, as described above, fits quite well. However, missing person cases aren't made with a cookie cutter: there are deviations. The six bullet points below restate Pattern #1 and provide an area where I will discuss what I mean by each point. The cases that basically fit the pattern then follow.
(1) The missing person was not fit for the hike.
Unfit for a hike could describe someone who was obese, however, it could also mean someone who was injured, had a medical ailment, or needed medication.
In the six cases I looked at, I recall individuals that were either obese by BMI, walked with a limp, had a heart condition, required medication for seizures, or were well out of their primes.
Only two of the six missing persons that I looked at, David Barclay Miller and Paula Jean Welden, were seemingly fit individuals in the primes of their lives.
But even in their cases, a question could be posed if their fitness levels were equal to the trail ahead: Miller, in particular, may have had to burden himself with a very heavy load of water.
(2) The missing person went on a dangerous trail or one that is considered difficult.
In assessing the danger level of a trail, I relied on AllTrails.com. I also looked at videos of the trails taken by YouTube publishers.
What I found was that people who went missing on trails often used dangerous trails.
This might seem straightforward forward, but the point is still worth making: though hardly foolproof, it suggests that something accidental happened to them instead of something illegal.
That's especially likely given the poor physical condition many of them were in.
I recall one case where an individual hiked in an area that other hikers had deemed unsafe and avoided. I recall a trail that was exceptionally lengthy in one case.
Also, I recall a multi-day trail through desert conditions. In another instance, I recall a missing person using a trail known for encroaching on steep edges that were often intersected with small waterfalls directly falling on the trail.
(3) This missing person hiked alone, even if he or she was seen by others or informed people of his or her plans.
The six cases I include all featured solo hikers. They may have been seen by other hikers or park staff, but none hiked in tandem or in groups.
(4) The missing person failed to supply himself or herself properly.
Not bringing water or food or adequate clothing is a significant reoccurrence in the missing person cases. All kinds of ailments can affect someone who doesn't have proper clothing for a hike. Not having enough water can lead to dizziness, confusion, and dehydration. It can also lead to reliance on water sources along the trail, which might cause fevers.
(5) The missing person's abandoned vehicle was found at the trailhead or the parking lot for the trail network.
This was a significant reoccurrence in the selected missing persons cases involving hiking trails, however, it wasn't 100% pervasive. Paula Jean Welden's case didn't mention a car and that is significant. She was a hitchhiker and, of course, a disappearance due to that risky activity could be what caused her disappearance instead of a hiking-trail mishap.
(6) My opinion: the totality of the circumstances suggests a non-clandestine disappearance (ie. it seems more likely that a hiking accident happened than something criminal in nature).
Did the person disappear on purpose, by accident, or due to the criminal actions of someone else? That's always a question in a missing person case.
However, when I read most of the cases, I did think that the people that disappeared were likely accident victims or victims of the elements as opposed to victims of criminals.
Paula Jean Welden is a tough case in this regard: she was last seen on a hiking trail, but she had hitchhiked to the trail. There is a question if she tried to hitchhike home or if she got lost in the forest. She was, in fact, lost even before arriving at her chosen trailhead and it was nearly dusk.
Of course, some of the points above could appear and, I'm sure, have appeared as topics in safe-hiking guides. Concerning the first point, you should select a trail that's appropriate for your health and fitness. You should definitely hike in twos or at least use trails that are popular and unrisky if you are alone. You should also bring a lot of water for the trail and some high-calorie food, not to mention a change of clothes or something you can add on as a layer if you end up cold.
The cases I looked at in developing the six points are as follows. For further details on any case, please follow the link.
A man with a heart condition went hiking at high altitude without food or water or adequate clothing. Hikers that saw him last said they turned around due to dangerous conditions, but Joseph seemed to trudge on into those dangerous conditions. His vehicle was found near the trailhead.
A man approaching his middle-aged years had a limp from a leg injury. He went on a very difficult and dangerous trail that was nearly 30 miles in length. His vehicle was found at the trailhead.
She hitchhiked to a trail and arrived just before dusk one evening in December without provisions or warming clothing.
Pattern #2: A duo or larger group takes to the hiking trails. A woman within the duo or group decides to rest instead of partake in the entire hike. While she rests, others in her duo or larger group complete the hike. When they return to collect the resting woman, she is not there. Furthermore, she's never seen again and it's unclear if something clandestine is involved or if she fell victim to a hiking mishap.
This pattern can be summarized with the following points:
(1) The missing person is a woman.
In five of the six cases that I looked at that resembled this pattern, the missing person was a woman.
(2) The missing person is originally part of a duo or larger group that's on a hiking excursion.
This was present in all cases. Usually, the missing person started out on a hike with a group. But in one case, the missing person started out on a camping excursion.
(3) The missing person voluntarily separates from the group.
This happened in each case. The reasons for the separations vary, but the missing person stopping to take a rest is common. In another case, the missing person voluntarily went on a separate hike than the group from the origin point. In another case, the missing person had a different walking speed than the group, and that created drifting. In another case, a little boy ran ahead of the group perhaps in youthful excitement.
(4) The missing person is not seen again.
In only one of the six cases was a trace of the missing person found. In another case, some reported hearing the missing person scream in the night of the forest, but this was not firmly established.
(5) The investigation includes some suspicion of others in the area.
Abduction is pretty clear in two cases. In another case, it seems that something forceful happened to the missing person. In the three other cases, it could be a hiking mishap, but there are questions surrounding other people on the trail, whether they are members of the missing person's group or not.
As is the case with the first pattern, missing person cases aren't made with cookie cutters. However, the following cases are closely related to the five points above.
The cases of Olga Mauer, Michelle Vanek, and Celeste Hensley Greub are very similar cases. Starting with Mauer, she was in the backcountry with her new husband. They were not hiking enthusiasts but were using hiking trails to scout for wild game. The husband and Olga went out into the mountains and she tired and rested while he hiked to a mountain peak. When the husband returned, Olga was gone and was never seen again although someone in the search party reported hearing her night-time calls for help. The husband came under suspicion in the aftermath but was not charged.
Michelle Vanek went hiking with a male friend (non-romantic). She stopped to rest while he continued to advance to a summit. When he returned to find her, she was missing and has not been seen again. In this case, there was not much suspicion directed toward the friend. However, this case did mention a transient-type of character that was in the backcountry at the time.
Celeste Hensley Greub went hiking in Wyoming with two female friends. The two friends decided to climb a nearby mountain peak while Greub rested alone. When the two friends returned to collect Greub, she was gone and has not been seen since. This case did not involve much discussion of suspicion, however, there was an indication that she was in a troubled marriage and may have been despondent.
Rosemary Theresa Kunst went on a camping trip with a large group. Most of the members of this group departed out on a hike, while Theresa stayed at the camp. However, she decided to embark on a short hike from the camp. When the hikers in the large group returned to camp, they did not know where Rosemary was. Eventually, a search ensued and only a tuft of her hair was found entangled in the wild-brush.
This case is a little different from the five summary points. Rosemary didn't separate from the hikers that she was on a hike with. Rather, she went on a different hike than what her fellow-campers went on. Furthermore, there was a trace of her as the hair that was found was tested to be hers. The circumstances seemed suspicious to me because I think the hair being yanked from her head, even by wild-brush, suggests that something forceful was happening to her.
Trenny Gibson went on a school field trip with her classmates to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trip involved taking an out-and-back trail. During this trip, she became isolated on the trail from her classmates. I got the impression this had to do with her having a different walking speed over a long trail. Sometime during this isolated time, Trenny disappeared and has not been seen again. This is a case that has involved plenty of suspicion against a classmate, suspicion that I've felt was not warranted. Bloodhounds that tracked Trenny's movements lead to a roadside disappearance off of the trail. One prevailing guess is that she was abducted by a stranger, possibly at knifepoint or gunpoint.
Thomas Eldon Bowman is the only male in this list. A young minor, he was hiking on a family outing and became separated from the group when he ran ahead to the parking lot toward the end of the outing. He has not been seen since. He was thought to have been a kidnapping victim as opposed to the victim of a hiking-trail accident.
Richard went hiking alone on Saturday, July 5th, 2014 at approximately 6:30am at the Kamaileuna Ridge Trail near his home. He called his mother at 11:30 am to say he was coming down. He has not been seen or heard from since.
From his Facebook profile.
Missing Person: Richard Kalani Vierra Last-contact date: July 5th, 2014 at about 11:28am The area where the MP was last seen: Waianae, Hawaii at Kaimaile Mountain trail near Maiu'u Entrance Link to government source: NamUs MP
VITAL DETAILS
Ethnicity: White or Caucasian Sex: Male Age at time of disappearance: 15 years old Birthdate: Richard Kalani Vierra was born between July 6th, 1998, and July 5th, 1999 based on his reported age at the last date of reported contact. Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Scar: None known Height/weight: 5'5" and 120 pounds BMI*: Richard Kalani Vierra was in the normal range for BMI. Tattoos: Richard Kalani Vierra did not have any tattoos associated with his profiles.
Richard Kalani Vierra was last heard from on July 5th, 2014 when he was 15 years of age. I am sure I found his inactive Facebook account where there are a lot of pictures of him. In my opinion, the NamUs photo isn't a good one. He looked like a very athletic teenager that was successful for his age group in martial arts. This individual has now been missing for about 7 years as of the original publication date of this blog post.
What stands out with this case is the phone call that the mother made to her son. He apparently hiked to a mountain summit and phoned to say he was on his way back home. This was the last contact from the missing minor. When she called him again at 12:15pm then the call went to voicemail.
It's possible, even probable, that he suffered a hiking accident in the 47 minutes between the two calls. If he did, then his location at the time of the first phone call and his hiking speed create the search area. This was not an easy or safe hike according to my research.
I saw a video that filmed a missing person poster of him. It said he was hiking the Kaimaile Mountain trail and may have used Maiu'u Road Entrance. I think this would be referring to the Kamaileunu Ridge Hike and that his entry point to the trail would have been at the following Google Map coordinates: 21.46178191468302, -158.1992668024058.
The trail is rated as difficult at AllTrails.com. One reviewer at the site had this to say:
We found that it went way off to the left, but got very dangerous being over the edge of a cliff without places to hold on. We decided it wasn't worth it and turned back. The way back was difficult finding proper foot placement and not slipping on the steep, sandy sections. It took us about 3 hours and 15 minutes to get up to 1000 feet and back. Definitely a fun challenge, not sure if we'd do it again. -- Taylor Key, writing in September 2020
Furthermore, this trail has made the news before because of hikers falling. The following newspaper article references the trail, a near-fatal accident that occurred on it in 2003, and crumbling rock as a hazard.
The man that fell had his fall broken by trees and so he was able to guide search-and-rescue to his whereabouts with his cellular phone. The impression I got in reading the article below is that the man might have been difficult to find without him being able to provide verbal guidance by cellular. It would be interesting if this dangerous area was the same area that Richard was in when he went missing.
Minimally, I think the case in the article below should be a case study for trying to find Richard as it may highlight a particularly dangerous spot where someone who falls may end up concealed. This case may call for a double skill-set of an expert hiker that's familiar with the trail who also is skilled at operating drones with cameras.
07 Jan 2003, Tue The Honolulu Advertiser (Honolulu, Hawaii) Newspapers.com
Richard Kalani Vierra may have had the following articles when he disappeared: blue backpack, blue shirt, shorts, and shoes. These items can be used to try and match a missing person to a John Doe. You can follow the tweets from the author of this blog. Follow Shane Lambert at Twitter.
Author:Shane Lambert, (Freelance Writer)
All articles are subject to editing after the original posting.
Shane Lambert, (Freelance Writer) is not a Private Investigator, however, he is currently studying to be one as of April 2021.
If you like this blog, then you can join the affiliated Facebook group: MPC Facebook Group
Website hashtag: #MPCSL
*For BMI values, I use the UPPER or HIGHER ranges that are given for height and weight. **Might not be the exact meaning that NamUs or Canada's Missing conveys. I improve upon their descriptions with my research. Disclaimer: Whenever possible, government sources are preferred for getting the details of a missing persons case. However, any source that the article writer deems reputable may be used.
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Jesse Hoover was last seen on May 20, 1983 at the Baxter State Park Headquarters. Hoover traveled to Maine from Texas to hike the Appalachian Trail. She had no special equipment or knowledge to aid her while hiking. Jesse was reported missing on July 11, 1983 by her sister.
Photo credit: Picture taken from Maine State Police website. Cropped and enhanced by RSS Flanagan on 11/21/2011.
Missing Person: Jessie Hoover
Last-contact date: May 20th, 1983 The area where the MP was last seen: Millinocket, Maine Link to government source: NamUs MP
VITAL DETAILS
Ethnicity: White/Caucasian Sex: Female Age at time of disappearance: 53 years old Birthdate: June 13th, 1929 Hair: Gray or partially gray Eyes: Blue Scar: None listed Height/weight: 5'8" and 240 to 250 pounds BMI*: This individual was obese by BMI standards at the time of her disappearance. Tattoos: Jessie Hoover did not have any tattoos associated with her profiles.
Jessie Hoover was last heard from on May 20th, 1983 when she was 53 years of age. What stands out with this case to me is that she was going on a hiking trip that she was nowhere near prepared for. This individual has now been missing for about 38 years as of the original publication date of this blog post.
Apparently, she was planning to hike the Appalachian Trail with what could only be considered a haphazard plan. AllTrails.com describes this trail as extending from Maine to Georgia at a distance of 3,207 kilometers. This is a hike that would require planning, both in regard to what you bring with you and in regard to developing the fitness to carry what you need.
According to some sources, Jessie had a terrible plan for her hiking trip. For instance, CharleyProject stated this: "Hoover was going to climb Mount Katahdin on May 20, but park rangers refused to permit it because they felt she was unprepared. She was last seen at the trailhead of the 100-Mile Wilderness, the most remote stretch of the Appalachian Trail." The same source describes a woman who barely had any food with her. Meanwhile, the source below depicts a hiking plan in the same region by a different group of people. It shows what kind of planning in required for this trip, one that was once a 'rights of passage' journey for some Boy Scout youths.
22 Jun 1972, Thu The Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) Newspapers.com
In addition to poor planning, there's also the question of Jessie's health. A newspaper source that will find below listed her as epileptic.
Additionally, her NamUs profile said she was 53 years old, up to 250 pounds, and just 5'8". When you plug those demographics into Body Mass Index calculators you get someone who is obese. At the age of 53, this wasn't an individual who had any hope of walking or hiking the Appalachian Trail or the 100-mile Wilderness trail.
In fact, I think a 250-pound 53-year old would have plenty of trouble with just a 10-mile trail. The plan, according to CharleyProject, was "to wire home for money and pick up her prescriptions as she passed through towns on the way."
That plan sounds so fanciful that if all of it is taken at face value, then Jessie Hoover clearly wasn't in a strong place mentally from the start of her trip. This might have been suicide by hiking trail (ie. suicide by exposure).
This is a case, in my opinion, where Websleuths should be looking for a Jane Doe that didn't get too far up the 100-mile Wilderness trail. Jessie Hoover may have had the following articles when she disappeared: blue knapsack, blue jeans, blue shirt, and blue windbreaker. These items affiliated with a Jane Doe in that area should be compared to Jessie Hoover's case details.
In the sources I consulted, I found some inconsistencies with her middle name. CharleyProject listed it as Albertine but one newspaper source gave her the middle initial of "O." Some sources say she was 53 when she disappeared, others say 54. That may be due to the fact that her birthdate was close to the time she disappeared.
27 Jun 2009, Sat The Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) Newspapers.comThank you for reading. If have any information about this case, consider contacting the authorities.
Author:Shane Lambert (Vancouver, Canada)
All articles are subject to editing after the original posting.
Shane Lambert (Vancouver, Canada) is not a Private Investigator, however, he is currently studying to be one as of March 2021.
If you like this blog, then you can join the affiliated Facebook group: MPC Facebook Group
Website hashtag: #MPCSL
*For BMI values, I use the UPPER or HIGHER ranges that are given for height and weight. **Might not be the exact meaning that NamUs or Canada's Missing conveys. I improve upon their descriptions with my research. Disclaimer: Non-opinionated information at this site generally comes from government sources or police reports. Other sources may be used.
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Rosemary Kunst was last seen August 18th, 2000 near Spirit Lake's Marble Mountain Wilderness Area, Klamath National Forest in California. Kunst, an avid hiker, had gone off on a hike by herself carrying only a journal, a sandwich, and a bag of trail mix. It is believed that Kunst may have gotten lost or injured in the heavy-forest terrain. A tuft of her hair was found during a search, but no other clues were ever found. This hair was found caught in some heavy brush south of Spirit Lake.
Missing Person: Rosemary Theresa Kunst Last-contact date: August 18th, 2000 The area where the MP was last seen: Siskiyou, California at the south end of Spirit Lake walking toward a ridge Link to government source: NamUs MP
VITAL DETAILS
Ethnicity: White/Caucasian Sex: Female Age at time of disappearance: 70 years old Birthdate: November 1st, 1929 Hair: Gray, partly gray, graying Eyes: Hazel Scar: Surgical scars Height/weight: 5'3" and 122 pounds BMI*: Rosemary Theresa Kunst was in the normal range for BMI. Tattoos: Rosemary Theresa Kunst did not have any tattoos associated with her profiles.
Rosemary Theresa Kunst, a missing person, was last heard from on August 18th, 2000 when she was 70 years old.
This individual has now been missing for about 21 years as of the original publication date of this blog post.
What stands out with this case is that a tuft of the missing person's hair was discovered in the search for her. In my mind, there was a question as to whether this hair was definitely Kunst's, however, I was satisfied after reading that it was forensically identified by comparing the sample to her known hair in a brush.
22 Aug 2000, Tue The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com
I tried to think about what it meant for a missing person to disappear on a hike and only a tuft of her hair to be found during the search. To me, there is something to think about when it comes to the height off of the ground of where the hair was found. If it was found in brush close to the ground, then this might suggest that she was being dragged. If it's found at about shoulder-level then it could just be a standard tangling that could happen to anyone.
However, for the hair to come loose is interesting, I think, because I see most people as untangling their hair from brush by breaking the twigs as opposed to the more painful option of having their hair torn out. I do think the tuft of hair being removed from her scalp suggests that something forceful happened to this missing person during her hike in August 2000.
This missing person was associated with a lot of clothing articles and/or possessions. Note the following with this case: she had a journal, a sandwich, a bag of trail mix, a blue fleece shirt, a blue baseball cap, and hiking boots. The food could have been an attractant for a wild animal. However, the scenario of an animal attack is mitigated in my mind by the fact that no blood was found anywhere after a large search that lasted a week and none of the articles she was in possession of were found. Animals aren't tidy with their attacks: if a mountain lion, wolves, or a bear attacked Rosemary Kunst then I think the search would likely have produced one of her items or a portion of one.
That does call into question the possibility of foul play. Of course, that can't be eliminated until she is found but the likelihood of a human disappearing Kunst is mitigated by the remote location. Then again, that remoteness could create opportunity for anyone that was out there.
Lastly, I don't think Rosemary Kunst went into the forest to commit self-harm. Those that knew her seemed confident that she wasn't despondent. While secret depression can never really be eliminated, Rosemary reportedly did invite a youth at her camp along for the hike. That youth declined the invitation. If Rosemary was going to harm herself then I don't think she extends any invitation at all because she couldn't count on the decline.
This truly is puzzling case except that the tuft of hair coming out of her head suggests something forceful in nature occurred. My guess is that she was attacked by a man or animal, hidden (animals might hide a corpse), and her remains are in the region still despite the search.
Please share this article to social media using hashtags that are related to where the missing person went missing from, which is Siskiyou, California.
Author:Shane Lambert (UncoolNegated on Websleuths)
All articles are subject to editing after the original posting.
Shane Lambert (UncoolNegated on Websleuths) is not a Private Investigator, however, he is currently studying to be one as of March 2021.
If you like this blog, then you can join the affiliated Facebook group: MPC Facebook Group
Website hashtag: #MPCSL
*For BMI values, I use the UPPER or HIGHER ranges that are given for height and weight. **Might not be the exact meaning that NamUs or Canada's Missing conveys. I improve upon their descriptions with my research. Disclaimer: Whenever possible, government sources are preferred for getting the details of a missing persons case. However, any source that the article writer deems reputable may be used.
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The Disappearance of Jesse Glen Pinegar: An Unsolved Mystery
Details from Utah's Department of Public Safety**:
"Jesse Glen Pinegar flew to Hawaii from his home in Orem, Utah for a vacation in January 2008. He hiked into the Kalalau Valley and set up a campsite five miles from the trailhead. He stayed in contact with his family by cellular phone. His family last heard from him on March 24, 2008. He told them he was going to take one last hike before coming back home to attend a family event. He has never been seen again. After his disappearance, another hiker found Pinegar’s campsite abandoned with all his personal belongings, including his clothing, camping equipment and iPod, only his wallet, cellular phone and backpack were missing. His case remains unsolved."
Key Details of Jesse Glen Pinegar’s Missing Person Case
Missing Person: Jesse Glen Pinegar Last-contact date: March 24th, 2008 The area where the MP was last seen: Waiahuakua Valley, Hawaii, likely near the Hanakoa Stream on the Kalalau Trail. Link to government source: NamUs MP
VITAL DETAILS
Ethnicity: White/Caucasian Sex: Male Age at time of disappearance: 22 years old Birthdate: October 28th, 1985 Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Scar: No scars known Height/weight: 5'6" to 6'2" and 170 to 185 pounds Tattoos: This missing person might be identifiable through his tattoos. Please note that he had the following: Celtic Tree of Life, right shoulder, includes only the tree, not the green border. Celtic Boar on his left side.
18 Feb 2021, Thu Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus, Georgia) Newspapers.com
Timeline of Jesse Glen Pinegar’s Last Known Moments
Jesse Glen Pinegar, a missing person, was last heard from on March 24th, 2008 when he was 22 years old.
This individual was missing for about 13 years as of the original publication date of this blog post. However, as of 2025, he has been missing for 17 years.
This individual was from Orem, Utah. He was reported missing on April 13th, 2008. That was 20 days after he made a final phone call to his family advising that he was going hiking.
One thing that I noticed while researching this case was that NamUs and CharleyProject gave different heights for the individual. NamUs has him at 5'7" at the taller range and CharleyProject had him at 6'2".
I listed the entire range and decided not to include BMI in this case. Meanwhile, a news source said he was 6'1" so it seems no one knows his exact height.
Of course, if he is found as a John Doe, then having his height correct could definitely help ahead of DNA testing (which can take a very long time to conduct).
02 May 2008, Fri The Honolulu Advertiser (Honolulu, Hawaii) Newspapers.com
This individual appeared to be an avid hiker and nature enthusiast. In his last contact, he indicated that he was going to take "one last hike" before he planned to return to Utah.
That phrase is quoted from NamUs and it's unclear if he used the term verbatim. There are dark undertones with the use of the statement, hinting at suicide in respect to the fact that he has now been unaccounted for since 2008. However, it could also be that he had grandiose plans for his last hike as well, which may have included greater risks as he knew he might not be in the area again.
He is thought to have had his wallet, his backpack, and his cell phone with him during this last hike. Other items he owned were found at a campsite by another hiker. Jesse had been in Hawaii since January 2008.
Exploring the Kalalau Trail: Jesse’s Last Hike
The sources on this missing person case all stated that his campsite was five miles from a trailhead. I believe that trailhead was the Kalalau Trail.
This trail is one that you can 'drop down' on using Google Maps. When I look at the five-mile point, it seems that it was very close to Hanakoa Stream. I did find a newspaper article that said this stream was the five-mile point on the trail. A stream would certainly be a strategic spot to set up camp.
Accordingly, I wondered if this stream was Jesse Pinegar's source of freshwater as he camped. If so, then it should be noted that this stream is known for flash flooding and disappearing people.
Take a moment to read the articles snipped below as they highlight how dangerous this area is.
24 Jan 1980, Thu The Honolulu Advertiser (Honolulu, Hawaii) Newspapers.com
10 Aug 2014, Sun Honolulu Star-Advertiser (Honolulu, Hawaii) Newspapers.com
There are a lot of missing hikers in the world or missing people that were associated with hiking trails in the events that preceded their disappearances. Perhaps the most famous missing hiker is Paula Jean Welden, missing since 1945 from Bennington, Vermont, and well-covered in this blog.
My understanding of the Jesse Pinegar case was that he was pretty familiar with the area despite the fact that he was from out of state. That's the impression that I got from reading about his case. I think the fact that he set up camp indicates that he was in the area for at least a short time.
Furthermore, he said in his last phone call that he was going for "one last hike." That suggests that he had taken multiple, if not numerous, hikes already in the area. I would say that the phrase has an ominous characteristic as well. It does strike me as strange that he should survive all of his previous hikes before disappearing on what he said would be his last.
The Dangers of Hiking Alone on the Kalalau Trail
But I decided to focus on the dangerous trail in this case. My research into the Kalalau Trail found that there are cases of missing people on it from time to time. However, in a couple of cases I looked at, the people were found. Hiking is never perfectly safe and hiking alone is a no-no according to hiking safety manuals.
05 Sep 2020, Sat The Garden Island (Lihue, Hawaii) Newspapers.com
My former blog is a hiking blog and I will say this: experienced hikers can suffer mishaps. That's especially the case for someone hiking alone as Jesse seems to have been. But, if we throw out suicide, my guess is that it wasn't hiking trails that disappeared Jesse but the ocean.
Could Rogue Waves Explain Jesse Pinegar’s Disappearance?
In my research of the area where he went missing, I understood that the beaches had instances of rogue waves. These kinds of waves are not tidal waves. However, they can claim people from beaches or rocks. They are random in the sense that their occurrences cannot really be predicted. If there are rogue waves known to affect the region, then it stands to reason that there can also be large waves.
Kami Vollendroff is an individual that's missing from Oregon whose case is covered in this blog. She and her friend were thought to have been claimed by a large wave as they walked beachside. It could happen to anyone that walks along the ocean side.
To investigate the chance that a large wave or rogue wave might have claimed Jesse, we do need to presume that his final hike before heading back to Utah would have been to the beach. I can think of no way of proving that.
However, Utah, his home, is inland and mountainous. Take it or leave it, but I think he's more likely to take one last look at the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii before heading back to Orem than do a mountain trail.
Why the Kalalau Trail Remains a Dangerous Mystery
I had another look at this case in March 2025. There had been another disappearance in the area, one that affected Lauren M. Cameron, a 32-year-old woman from Anchorage, Alaska.
She was at Hanakāpīʻai Beach on the Kalalau Trail in Kauai, Hawaii, and her disappearance serves to underline the enduring danger of the greater area.
On December 11th, 2024, around 3:00 PM, Kauai officials were alerted to a swimmer in distress at Hanakāpīʻai Beach, just two miles from the Kē‘ē Beach trailhead. Reports suggest Cameron entered the water, possibly to rinse off after a hike
But this was only to be swept away by powerful currents. That she was hiking and ended up lost to the ocean is a stark similarity to the theories that Pinegar, who was a hiker in the area, may have been claimed by the ocean.
Her boyfriend tossed a flotation device in a futile attempt to save her, and she was last seen in a blue bikini, clinging to rocks 100 yards west of the beach before vanishing into the surf. Unlike Pinegar, whose campsite was found abandoned with belongings intact, Cameron’s disappearance unfolded in real-time near the water, yet both cases point to the trail’s lethal mix of isolation and unpredictable coastal hazards.
Furthermore, the terms "Kalalau Trail" and "rogue wave" produced some hits in Newspaper.com's archive. Notably, a rogue wave made news in 2020 along the trail with people displaced due to its force. I think Jesse might have been affected by a large wave in 2008, even if it wasn't a rogue wave.
02 Jan 2020, Thu The Garden Island (Lihue, Hawaii) Newspapers.com
Furthermore, the Kalalau Trail, in my research, struck me as more dangerous than most trails. The area has steep and unstable surfaces that seem to lead to hazards below. In fact, this trail was named as a top-ten trail for danger in 2008 by Backpacker Magazine. That's the same year that Jesse went missing. It really seems that there are a dozen ways to meet danger on the Kalalau Trail. I recommend clicking and reading the snipped article below.
If Jesse was lost to the water, then the chances of finding him are remote. If he's in the forest, then it stands to reason that he'll eventually be found. However, one look at the following Youtube video and you will get a great idea of just how dangerous this trail is for hikers.
One source I found said that he had previously fractured his ankle and arm. Honestly, I don't like the source that much but it appeared to have copied and pasted a previous version of Jesse's NamUs profile. Bone fractures are important when comparing missing people to unidentified remains so they are worth noting.
If these kinds of mysteries or articles intrigue you, then be sure to bookmark this blog.
Author:S.K. Lambert (Blogger Hobbyist and Freelance Writer)
All articles are subject to editing after the original posting.
S.K. Lambert (Blogger Hobbyist and Freelance Writer) is not a Private Investigator, however, he is currently studying to be one as of March 2021.
If you like this blog, then you can join the affiliated Facebook group: MPC Facebook Group
Website hashtag: #MPCSL
*For BMI values, I use the UPPER or HIGHER ranges that are given for height and weight. **Text might be paraphrased. If taken verbatim, then grammar or spelling errors are not necessarily corrected from original sources. Disclaimer: Whenever possible, government sources are preferred for getting the details of a missing persons case. However, any source that the article writer deems reputable may be used.
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May/Maya Millete was last seen on January 7, 2021 at her residence in Chula Vista, California. Her whereabouts are unknown. Her vehicles are at her residence.
Missing Person: May (Maya) Millete
Last-contact date: January 7th, 2021 The area where the MP was last seen: Chula Vista, California (San Miguel Ranch) Link to government source: NamUs #MP77365
VITAL DETAILS
Ethnicity: Asian according to NamUs, Filipino according to MP's poster Sex: Female Age at time of disappearance: 39 years old Birthdate: between January 8th, 1981 and January 7th,1982
When the birthdate isn't known, I calculate a range using the age at the date of the missing person's disappearance.
Hair: Brown, long Eyes: Brown Scar: None indicated Height/weight: 5-foot-2 and 110 pounds BMI*: May Millete was in the normal range for BMI.
BMI is body mass index. It relates to an individual's height and weight. I include it believing it can help picture a missing person or describe one.
Larry Millete Jail Calls Reinstated: Latest Maya Millete Case Update
Court Event Date: Larry Millete appeared in Chula Vista courthouse on Monday, March 3rd, 2025.
Judge’s Decision: A judge approved a request to reinstate Larry Millete’s jail call privileges, which had previously been restricted.
Case Background: Larry is charged with murdering his wife, May "Maya" Millete, who vanished from Chula Vista, California, in January 2021; he has been in custody since his arrest on October 19, 2021, awaiting trial.
Current Status: As of March 3, 2025, Larry has not been convicted; his murder trial is scheduled for July 7, 2025, with Maya’s body still missing.
Significance: The reinstatement allows Larry to make calls from jail, potentially affecting pre-trial preparations or communication with his defense team.
Source Details: Reported by CBS 8 San Diego, featuring courtroom footage from the hearing.
May Millete Case Update: Larry Millete’s Court Hearing on February 27, 2025, Addresses Protective Order in Missing Mother’s Case
May "Maya" Millete, a mother of three, disappeared from her Chula Vista, California home on January 7, 2021. On February 27, 2025, ABC 10News San Diego reported that her husband, Larry Millete, appeared in court for a hearing to modify a criminal protective order related to their children, as he awaits trial for her murder. Arrested on October 19, 2021, Larry has pleaded not guilty, despite prosecutors alleging he killed Maya amid marital strife. The hearing highlighted ongoing family tensions, with Maya’s sister, Maricris Drouaillet, opposing contact between Larry and the children. As of March 9, 2025, Maya’s body remains missing, and the trial is scheduled for July 7, 2025.
May Millete Case Update: Husband’s Arrest on October 19, 2021, Intensifies Search for Missing California Mother
May "Maya" Millete, a mother of three, was last seen at her Chula Vista, California home on January 7th, 2021.
On October 19th, 2021, ABC10 News San Diego reported that her husband, Larry Millete, was arrested and charged with her murder, though her body has not been located.
The arrest followed 67 search warrants and 87 interviews, with prosecutors alleging foul play linked to marital issues, including Maya’s intent to divorce.
A January 7th, 2023, San Diego Union-Tribune update noted the case was moving to trial, while X posts from
@ChulaVistaPD
in 2024, confirmed ongoing searches. As of March 9, 2025, Maya remains missing, and the trial, scheduled for July 7, 2025, is still pending.
May Millete has not been seen since January 7th, 2021, when she was 39 years old.
One recent news source that covered her disappearance was Fox5 in San Diego. According to a February 6th article by Jeff McAdam, Maya's disappearance was going to be investigated by a noted Private Investigator.
The details of her disappearance according to that news site are as follows:
Her husband told FOX 5...that he thought she might have gone for a hike to blow off some steam, but she never came home. Her car was still in the driveway, phone turned off and credit cards unused. When she didn’t show up for her daughter’s birthday party a few days later, her family called police.
Hiking alone is certainly a risk factor when it comes to a disappearance. There are plenty of missing people who were last thought to be going hiking alone.
Paula Jean Welden's lengthy disappearance spanning decades is probably the most famous case of that's covered at this site. Also, at the time of her disappearance, the husband's statement suggests that she was in an angered state of mind. However, the notion that she walked away from her life has largely been dismissed since the early days of her disappearance.
This missing person did not have any articles or items associated with her in the missing person's reports that I consulted. However, NamUs did note some tattoos:
musical notes right chest/shoulder
hummingbird on back
symbol on inner wrist
If you know where this person might be or have any information on this case, then please contact the authorities. In Canada, look for Canada's Missing website with the Federal government. In the USA, you can look for the NamUs profile. Conversely, you can post a remark to this article.
Author: Shane Lambert
All articles are subject to editing after the original posting.
Shane Lambert is not a Private Investigator, however, he is currently studying to be one as of March 2021.
Website hashtag: #MPCSL
*For BMI values, I use the UPPER or HIGHER ranges that are given for height and weight. **Text might be paraphrased. If taken verbatim, then grammar or spelling errors are not necessarily corrected from original sources.
Disclaimer: Information posted is thought to be correct as of the time posting. If a missing person is found, then this article might stay posted until that is noticed. I try to stay on top of the news but it's not possible to follow all cases. Articles will be edited or deleted when credible news of the missing person is authenticated.
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