Michael Shan Chien was 23 when he was last seen on December 18, 1996, at his mother’s home in Upland, California. He was expected to meet family for Christmas shopping but never arrived and has not been heard from since. His white 1996 Nissan Maxima with Wisconsin license plates turned up abandoned in Ventura, California, about a week later; authorities reported no signs of foul play in the vehicle.

There have been a few possible sightings after his disappearance. In February 1997 a Bakersfield police officer reportedly spoke with a man who resembled Chien; that man asked for a ride to a halfway house and said he wanted treatment for a drug problem, but it has not been confirmed that he was Chien. Another reported sighting placed him at a carwash in San Gabriel. Michael had connections to Upland, the San Francisco area, and Wisconsin.

The circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear. If anyone knew Michael, where he spent time, or saw him around December 1996 through early 1997, please share what might help the investigation.