Eleven-year-old Richard Gorham, known as Richie, was last seen on the evening of July 7, 1986, in the Avra Valley area of Marana, Arizona. He had been living with his 52-year-old grandfather, Roland Himebrook, at a home on the 17700 block of Chinle Place after reportedly running away from his mother’s house because of alleged abuse by her live-in boyfriend. Both Roland and Richard disappeared together.

A friend reported them missing on July 12 after they failed to contact family; they had left behind all of their clothing and personal belongings. On September 27 a white 1966 Chevrolet El Camino belonging to Roland was found abandoned in the desert near Silver Bell, south of Tucson. Authorities estimated the vehicle had been there about two months, but neither Roland nor Richard was found at the scene.

Foul play is suspected. The mother’s live-in boyfriend, who reportedly had confrontations with Roland, is a person of interest in the investigation, but no charges have been filed. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department keeps the case open.

Did anyone in the Avra Valley or Silver Bell area at the time recall seeing Roland, Richard, or that El Camino in July through September 1986?