The person at the center of this case
Dale Eugene Kelley
Violent Crime · Open
45 years waiting · since 1981
DALE EUGENE KELLEY - SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
Justice for Dale Eugene Kelley — the trail went cold in 1981, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🚗
vehicle
Lead #1Why was Kelley's vehicle found in New Orleans when he stated he was traveling to Los Angeles? What caused the 2,000+ mile deviation?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What is the significance of the Pat O'Brien's postcard, Texas book, and Texas map found in the vehicle? Were these items Kelley's or left by someone else?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3How long was the vehicle in New Orleans before being discovered on June 4th? When exactly was it abandoned there?
On May 20, 1981, Dale Eugene Kelley, a 20-year-old American River College student and football player, disappeared while driving his orange 1976 Toyota Celica from Sacramento to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend. Two weeks later, his abandoned vehicle was discovered in New Orleans, Louisiana, containing a Pat O'Brien's postcard, a Texas book, and a Texas map—suggesting he may have traveled far from his stated destination. Kelley has never been found, and the circumstances of his disappearance remain unexplained after more than four decades.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
🎯
suspect
Lead #4Was anyone else seen with Kelley or his vehicle? Were there any witnesses to the vehicle's abandonment in New Orleans?
💡
clue
Lead #5Did Kelley have any connections to Texas, New Orleans, or Pat O'Brien's that might explain the route deviation and items found?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
May 20, 1981 Sacramento, California On May 20, 1981, Dale Eugene Kelley, a student and football player at American River College in Sacramento, California, left his residence driving his orange 1976 Toyota Celica (California plate 598TIH). Kelley was heading to Los Angeles, California, to visit his then girlfriend.
When he did not arrive that afternoon, his girlfriend contacted Kelley’s roommates, who told her he left that morning. Kelley has not been seen or heard from since.
Two weeks later, on June 4, 1981, Kelley’s vehicle was located abandoned in New Orleans, Louisiana. Inside the vehicle was a “Pat O‘Brien’s” postcard, a book entitled “Texas” and a map of Texas.
Remarks: Kelley was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, with no further description.
Timeline of Events
👤
1981-05-20
morningDale Eugene Kelley Departs
Kelley left his Sacramento residence driving his orange 1976 Toyota Celica (California plate 598TIH), stating he was heading to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend.
📞
1981-05-20
afternoonGirlfriend Reports Non-Arrival
When Kelley did not arrive in Los Angeles as expected, his girlfriend contacted his roommates to confirm he had left Sacramento that morning.
🔍
1981-06-04
Vehicle Located in New Orleans
Kelley's orange Toyota Celica was found abandoned in New Orleans, Louisiana, containing a Pat O'Brien's postcard, a book titled 'Texas,' and a map of Texas.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 20, 1981 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:June 15, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:May 20, 1981 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:June 15, 2026