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Arthur Estes Missing Person Case

Last seen in Yosemite National Park, California on May 24, 1976

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Victim Details

Nov 15, 2019

Jun 15, 2021

Arthur

Estes

75

25

70 inches

165 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

May 24, 1976

Yosemite National Park

California

Mariposa County

95389

No

66362

National Park Service - Yosemite

Yosemite

California

Mariposa County

95389

PO Box 517, California

Federal

Law Enforcement

NP19189993

May 26, 1976

National Park Service - Yosemite

na

Brown

Green

Green

Oct 10, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP61622) and 2 other sources
Arthur Estes, a 25-year-old man, went missing on May 24, 1976, during a hiking trip in Yosemite National Park. He was dropped off at the junction of Tioga Road and May Lake Road to begin a two-day hike, with plans to trek toward Yosemite Valley via the Snow Creek Trail. His last known location was near May Lake, a popular area for hikers. Estes was an experienced hiker, standing 5'10" and weighing 165 lbs at the time of his disappearance.

Despite extensive searches, no trace of him was ever found. The area where Estes disappeared has been associated with other missing persons cases, adding to the mystery. Authorities and his family were left without answers, and his case remains unsolved decades later.
Last Seen: May 24, 1976

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP61622 | NamUs
  • WTF is HAPPENING at Yosemite National Park? - YouTube

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    79%Possible
    John Doe — Sacramento, California
    UP2414 • Found Feb 6, 1977
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 25
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%120 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 months after last seen
    Height 84%6'0" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Sacramento, California
    UP2411 • Found Dec 20, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 73%111 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 90%190 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 50%Blond vs Brown
    Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
    77%Possible
    John Doe — California
    UP57047 • Found May 7, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 61%168 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%145–165 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Sacramento, California
    UP2404 • Found May 12, 1982
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%122 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 96%145 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Unincorporated, California
    UP10662 • Found Jun 7, 1978
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 63%159 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Berkeley, California - unidentified case UP53302
    John Doe — Berkeley, California
    UP53302 • Found Mar 19, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 65%149 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 86%137 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5872 • Found Oct 16, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 64%157 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%153 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
    76%Possible
    John Doe — California
    UP4441 • Found Jun 27, 1977
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 48%273 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%145–165 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — San Jose, California
    UP127425 • Found Jun 14, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 69%128 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 21 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 88%139 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Sausalito, California
    UP17718 • Found Sep 9, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 25 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 63%161 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 50%Gray vs Green

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Arthur Estes, 25, vanished on May 24, 1976, after being dropped off at the junction of Tioga Road... ...Read More
    01/24/2023

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