The person at the center of this case
Dale Eugene Kelley
Violent Crime · Open
44 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 instead of Los Angeles? Did he change his travel plans or was he taken against his will?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What was the significance of the Pat O'Brien's postcard, Texas book, and Texas map found in the vehicle? Did Kelley intend to travel to Texas?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3What happened between May 20 and June 4, 1981? How long was the vehicle in New Orleans before discovery?
On May 20, 1981, Dale Eugene Kelley, a 19-year-old American River College student and football player, left Sacramento, California in his orange 1976 Toyota Celica headed to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend—but never arrived. 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. After more than 40 years, Kelley's whereabouts remain unknown, and investigators seek information about his movements between Sacramento and New Orleans.
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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.
👁️
witness
Lead #4Did anyone see Kelley or his orange Celica during the journey from Sacramento to New Orleans or in New Orleans itself?
💡
clue
Lead #5Were there any fingerprints, forensic evidence, or other investigative leads recovered from the abandoned vehicle?
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 Sacramento
Kelley left his residence driving an orange 1976 Toyota Celica (California plate 598TIH) heading to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend.
📞
1981-05-20
afternoonGirlfriend Reports Kelley Missing
When Kelley did not arrive in Los Angeles as expected, his girlfriend contacted his roommates who confirmed he had left that morning.
🔍
1981-06-04
Vehicle Found Abandoned in New Orleans
Kelley's orange 1976 Toyota Celica was discovered 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:April 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:May 20, 1981 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:April 29, 2026