Melvin Paul Hoel, 64, vanished from the Cataract Creek Provincial Recreation Area in Alberta on May 12, 1997. He is described as a Caucasian male, medium build, 65 inches tall and 146 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Fish and Wildlife agents later found his vehicle and all of his personal effects abandoned in the recreation area.

Turner Valley RCMP led the investigation and a search was carried out, but the scene reportedly showed no signs of a struggle, no clear indication of foul play, and no note or message explaining his disappearance. The rugged, densely wooded terrain at Cataract Creek complicated search efforts, and no new leads have emerged; the case remains unsolved.

If anyone was in or around Cataract Creek Provincial Recreation Area on or shortly after May 12, 1997, or remembers seeing Melvin or his vehicle, information could help fill in the many unanswered gaps in this disappearance.