Phouvuiay Thetsombandith was 20 when he was abducted in San Diego on August 18, 1991. He had immigrated from Laos in 1989 to live with relatives and improve his English. Witnesses say four or five men forced him at gunpoint into a white or gray 1991 Buick Skylark on the 6000 block of Brooklyn Avenue; one of his shoes was left at the scene.

According to the case history, the abduction arose from mistaken identity: the perpetrator, Percyval Dryden, believed Phouvuiay had broken into his car the night before. Dryden was later convicted of Phouvuiay’s murder and received a sentence of 19 years to life, but Phouvuiay’s remains have never been recovered. The family, especially his parents in Laos, still hopes for a recovery so a Buddhist burial can be arranged.

Foul play is strongly suspected and the case remains classified as endangered missing. If anyone has information about Phouvuiay’s disappearance or the location of his remains, please come forward.