Gary Mathias, 25, of Yuba County, California, vanished on February 24, 1978, after driving to Chico with four friends—Jack Madruga, Bill Sterling, Ted Weiher, and Jackie Huett—for a college basketball game. The group’s car was later found abandoned on a remote mountain road in Plumas National Forest, about 70 miles off their intended route. The vehicle was operable and no sign of the men was nearby.

After the snow melted months later, the other four men were found scattered in the forest, most having died of hypothermia; Ted Weiher survived for several weeks in a Forest Service trailer but ultimately died of starvation and exposure. Mathias’ shoes were recovered inside that trailer, implying he may have been there and left at some point. Mathias had schizophrenia and was dependent on medication, with a history of wandering off. His whereabouts remain unknown and the case is still an open missing person investigation.

Does anyone have information on Gary’s movements in late February 1978 or recall seeing him after the group reached the mountains?