Nicholas Colt Vigil, 37, of Fortuna, California, was last seen the morning of February 25, 2020. He left his mother’s home saying he was going to meet a friend to pick up a check and drove a gray 2006 Ford F-250. The truck was later found abandoned in Weitchpec, about two hours northeast of Fortuna; it had been left in the same spot for weeks before being reported in mid-April and showed signs of a break-in and tampering.

His last phone ping was near Blue Lake, an area he frequented. Casino surveillance checks at Blue Lake Casino and Bear River Casino reportedly showed no sign of him. Investigators and the community note he had traveled to Las Vegas a few days earlier and won a substantial amount of money, and some observers have suggested robbery or links to illegal activity in the region, including cannabis cultivation, as possible angles. Extensive searches and community rallies have taken place, a reward has been offered, and the family continues to press for answers.

Anyone who knew Nicholas, saw his truck in Weitchpec, or has information about his movements around February 25, 2020, is asked to contact the Fortuna Police Department.