William Charles Cordes was 15 when he disappeared from Auburn, California, on March 30, 1984. He was living in a group home, The Children’s Home Society, as part of a sentence for stealing beer. That night he and several other boys slipped out to a party in a nearby town, drank, and then tried to return. The car ran out of gas on Interstate 80 near Dry Creek Road. William stayed with the vehicle while the others went for gas; when they came back he was gone.

Initial reports about the case were disrupted when William’s missing person report was later canceled; authorities did not begin investigating until years afterward. Family members and investigators say they believe foul play may have been involved, but no evidence confirming that has been found. At the time of his disappearance he had a birthmark on his neck, a capped front tooth, and stitches in one foot.

Anyone with information about William’s last known movements or the area around Interstate 80 and Dry Creek Road on March 30, 1984, is asked to come forward.