John C. Hartenfeld, 46, left on a solo fishing trip on August 2, 1996, heading into northern New Mexico or southern Colorado. He was last seen driving a beige or gray 1996 Toyota 4-Runner with New Mexico plate 724-HYX. Family reported him missing when he did not return as expected.

In the days after his disappearance there were unconfirmed leads: a waitress at Casa Valdez in Taos said she served a man matching his description on August 5 who mentioned fishing near Angel Fire and Eagle Nest, and his credit card was used to buy gasoline at the Colomex Chevron in Taos on August 6. His vehicle was located near Amalia and a 10-member search-and-rescue team with a helicopter and cadaver dogs searched the remote area but found no evidence of his whereabouts; the trail appeared to end near a road by the vehicle.

As of November 2024, he remains listed as a missing person with the New Mexico Department of Public Safety and the case is open. Does anyone have information about Hartenfeld’s movements in early August 1996 or remember seeing his 1996 Toyota 4-Runner?