Date Missing: January 13, 1980

Description: Age 41 at the time he went missing.

Case Info: Ranger Paul Fugate was wearing his “green and gray” Park Service uniform, including the official NPS Arrowhead patch on his upper shirtsleeve and a gold-colored ranger badge pinned over his heart. During the first few years after Fugate’s disappearance, the reward fund grew to $20,000. With this renewed focus, the NPS is now offering up to $60,000 for information leading to Fugate’s whereabouts and/or the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for his disappearance.

Without offering details, the National Park Service (NPS) and Cochise County (AZ) Sheriff Mark Dannels reported receiving information that prompted a public invitation for any factual detail(s) regarding Fugate’s whereabouts, and/or the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for his disappearance, in exchange for an increased reward in the amount of $60,000.

On January 13, 1980 at approximately 2p, 41-year-old Paul Braxton Fugate left his post at the monument’s visitor center in Southeastern Arizona to hike a park trial and has not been found since. Search teams combed the area extensively and, after several attempts, could not locate the Park Ranger.

Early on, park officials suspected foul play; a formal missing persons case remains open.

If you have any information that may lead the NPS toward better understanding the circumstances surrounding this case, you are urged to use the following information:

PHONE or TEXT the ISB Tip Line at 888-653-0009

Go ONLINE to www.nps.gov/ISB and click “Submit a Tip”

EMAIL the ISB at nps_isb@nps.gov

MESSAGE investigators via Facebook @InvestigativeServicesNPS or via Twitter @SpecialAgentNPS