Tom Ray Starkel was 19 when he was last seen in Palmdale, California, on the evening of December 5, 1979. He left his girlfriend’s house around 10:00 p.m. and is believed to have returned to his apartment, but he never contacted family. His mother reported him missing three days later and, unaware of its significance, cleaned the apartment before police arrived.

Starkel was driving a dark green Pontiac Firebird with Nevada plates. Two weeks after he vanished the car was found being driven back into California from Nevada. The driver, Craig Moore, was arrested after Starkel’s jacket was found in the trunk and a recently fired handgun was recovered under the seat, but Moore was released for lack of evidence directly linking him to Starkel’s disappearance. Moore is described in the case file as a prime suspect.

Tom had recently graduated from Palmdale High School and attended First Assembly of God Church, where his grandfather served as pastor. His whereabouts remain unknown and the case is unsolved; anyone with information is asked to come forward.