On the morning of August 20, 1994, 46-year-old Gene Andrew Payne left the family ranch in the remote Avra Valley area of Pima County, Arizona, to feed livestock and never returned. He spoke to his wife, Peggy, around 7:00 a.m. and was expected back soon for plans with his two sons. Gene was wearing a striped polo shirt, green shorts, a baseball cap, tennis shoes and his tinted glasses.

Searches by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and local volunteers found no sign of him. Neighbors reported nothing unusual that morning. The case was puzzling because a 1986 work accident had left Gene with a broken back; he could walk only about a quarter mile at a time, walked with a stoop and was bowlegged. Distinguishing tattoos included a brown bull and a black horse on one arm and a U.S. Navy anchor on the other. He was declared legally dead in 2005; his wife Peggy died in 2009 without learning his fate.

Anyone who knew Gene, the ranch, or was in the Avra Valley area that morning and has information is asked to come forward.