Joseph Bushling was a 26-year-old Army Specialist stationed at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah when he was last seen on May 8, 2011. That evening he called a friend and said he had run out of gas while driving a borrowed 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer in the desert near Granite Mountain. He told the friend he was cold, had lost his shoes, was using his t-shirt to cover his feet, and was trying to walk back to the Dugway base.

Six days later the Mitsubishi was found abandoned in a remote ravine about 64 miles from the base. Bushling’s hat and a pair of flip-flops were discovered several miles from the car, but no other trace of him has been located despite extensive searches across rugged desert terrain with poor cell reception and treacherous conditions. Investigators ruled out suicide and foul play, and his death was later classified as exposure due to harsh weather conditions. His family, who say he planned to move to San Antonio and pursue nursing, continues to seek answers and has questioned aspects of the initial response.

Are there readers who were in the Dugway or Granite Mountain area in May 2011 who can share observations that might help clarify Joseph’s last movements?