Roy Jacob Hagel, a 38-year-old traveling salesman, vanished after attending a bowling tournament in Fargo, North Dakota, on February 26, 1989. Rather than returning to his home in Bismarck, he set off on a multi-state trip; on March 6 he phoned an ex-girlfriend from Kingman, Arizona, saying he had driven through nine states in nine days, was low on money, and intended to go back to Bismarck. The ex-girlfriend described him as depressed and said he hinted at suicidal thoughts.

On March 10 Hagel’s blue Ford Tempo was found abandoned in a remote area near Death Valley National Monument, California. His wallet, keys and other personal effects remained in the car. Footprints believed to be his were followed for several miles into the desert before the trail was lost and no further sign of him was located. Investigators have not found any financial or Social Security activity linked to him since his disappearance.

Some observers have suggested he might have staged his disappearance, noting his father’s earlier unexplained vanishing, but no concrete evidence has emerged to establish what happened. Does anyone who knew Roy, saw him on that trip, or has information about his last movements have tips to share?