Michael Alan Tapley, 51, finished his school bus route in Snowflake, Arizona on Friday, February 15, 2008, and didn’t report for work or call in the following Tuesday, February 18. He was described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches, 180 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes, and glasses. He was known to carry a black fanny pack and often wore a black leather jacket, jeans, and a black leather cap.

Colleagues said Tapley planned to spend the long President’s Day weekend scouting elk-hunting locations. His wife, Gina, could not be reached immediately after he was reported missing; when she did contact family and police in early March she said they had traveled to Missouri and she had dropped him at a Kansas City casino, later returning to find him gone. Investigators found no casino surveillance showing him, and his 1998 Ford F-150 later turned up in Adrian, Missouri after Gina had given it to someone. Gina told police Michael had told her to get rid of the truck; his family disputes that account.

Authorities have said they do not believe Gina’s account is truthful but have not filed criminal charges.

If anyone knew Michael’s movements that weekend or saw his truck in Missouri, please contact the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office with information.