Clayton Wahpeta Jr. Missing Person Case

May 25, 2017

Apr 16, 2024

Clayton

Wahpeta Jr.

58

37

59 inches

180 lbs

190 lbs

American Indian / Alaska Native

Male

On a summer day in June 2005, a 37-year-old Native American man named Clayton Glenn Wahpeta Jr. was last seen in Gila River, Arizona. He was walking near Vatho Street, leaving his home which was situated close to the crossing of 51st Avenue and Pecos Road. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a dark gray T-shirt, dark-colored cut-off shorts, and white tennis shoes. Clayton is described as having black hair, brown eyes, and some distinctive tattoos: a rose on his left hand and a spider web on one of his knees. A notable physical characteristic is that he was missing his two front teeth. He may have also had a mustache and goatee. The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into years, with no sign of Clayton. His case is being handled by the Gila River Police Department, but there has been very little information released to the public regarding their investigation. The scarcity of details has left his family and community with many unanswered questions. His disappearance is officially classified as an endangered missing person case, highlighting the concern for his well-being. He vanished from tribal land, adding a layer of complexity to the search and investigation efforts. The circumstances surrounding Clayton Wahpeta Jr.'s disappearance remain a mystery. With few leads and no significant developments in his case, the passage of time has only deepened the void left by his absence. The lack of available images has also posed a challenge in raising public awareness. The investigation into what happened to him continues, with the hope that one day, answers will be found and his family will have closure. His case serves as a somber reminder of the many individuals who have gone missing from tribal lands, whose stories often go untold.

Jun 03, 2005

Gila River

Arizona

Gila County

Yes

46969

Gila River Police Department

Sacaton

Arizona

Pinal County

85147

639 West Seed Farm Road, Arizona

5205624511

Tribal

Law Enforcement

https://www.gricsafety.org/gila-river-police-department

05-015762

Gila River Police Department

Black

Brown

Brown

07/27/2026