Daniel Martin VanCleave, 59, was reported overdue after a fishing trip on the Chetco River in Brookings, Oregon, on November 12, 2019. His wife reported him missing when he did not return before sunset. That evening his truck and boat trailer were found at the Brookings Boat Basin. A Coast Guard aircrew later located his 16-foot boat about 1.7 miles south of the Chetco River jetty, unlit with the engine idling and otherwise empty; his cellphone and other personal items remained on board.

An extensive search followed, involving an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Chetco River, additional air and water crews, and land searches along the beaches. After 14 separate searches and more than 22 hours of effort, no sign of VanCleave was found and active search operations were suspended. He is described as a white male, 5 feet 11 inches, about 220 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes, crippled fingers on his right hand, scars on his stomach, and tattoos on his left shoulder, left arm, and right shoulder. He was believed to be wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans, black suspenders, a camo hat, and brown shoes.

The case remains an active missing person investigation and the circumstances — an unmanned boat found with personal effects and no sign of him after exhaustive searches — leave many unanswered questions. If anyone saw Daniel that day or has information about his disappearance, please come forward.