Brian Keith Montel was 22 when he was last seen at his Fresno, California home on March 21, 1986. He was described as 6 feet 0 inches, about 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, and his right hand was missing. He was reported to have a behavior disorder. On the night he disappeared he spoke with his sister at 10:30 pm and may have been planning to go to Yosemite; after that contact he was never heard from again and was classified as an endangered missing person.

For decades Montel’s whereabouts were unknown. Skeletal remains found below the northwest face of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park in July 1987 were officially identified as his in 2024, and his family was notified in late March 2024. Family members have said they feel relief at finally having closure and frustration that it took 37 years to identify the remains despite dental and DNA information being available.

If anyone knew Brian’s routines, travel plans, or saw him in Fresno or near Yosemite in March 1986, please share what you remember.