Michael Salvatore Mariani, 60, of Cave Creek, was reported missing after his black 2017 Toyota RAV4 was found stuck in a wash off Forest Road 41 in Tonto National Forest on August 19, 2021. A passerby discovered the vehicle in an area east of Interstate 17 and Table Mesa Road and found a handwritten note from Mariani saying he was hurt and walking west toward the I-17 corridor to seek help.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office mounted search and rescue operations concentrated west of the vehicle’s location. The terrain—dense vegetation and uneven ground—hampered search efforts. Mariani was described as 5 feet 7 inches, about 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, typically wearing t-shirts and gym-style shorts. Despite extensive searches and a public appeal, no trace of him was found and large-scale formal searches were later scaled down; the investigation remains active.

If anyone was in the Forest Road 41 area on August 19, 2021, or has information about a man matching Mariani’s description, please come forward with what was seen or heard.