The person at the center of this case
Dale Eugene Kelley
Violent Crime · Open - Unsolved
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
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vehicle
Lead #1Why was Kelley's vehicle found abandoned in New Orleans when he was supposed to drive to Los Angeles? Did he intentionally travel east, or was the vehicle taken?
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evidence
Lead #2What is the significance of the Pat O'Brien's postcard, Texas book, and Texas map found in the vehicle? Do they indicate Kelley's intended route or were they planted?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3What happened between May 20 and June 4, 1981? How did the vehicle travel from Sacramento to New Orleans, and who abandoned it there?
On May 20, 1981, Dale Eugene Kelley, a 20-year-old student and football player at American River College, 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 beyond his stated destination. After more than four decades, Kelley's whereabouts remain unknown, and investigators seek information about his movements between California and Louisiana.
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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.
👤
person
Lead #4Did anyone see Kelley or his vehicle during the two-week period between his disappearance and the vehicle's discovery?
💡
clue
Lead #5Were there any witnesses to the vehicle being abandoned in New Orleans? Did anyone see Kelley in Texas or Louisiana?
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 Disappears
Kelley left his Sacramento residence driving his orange 1976 Toyota Celica (California plate 598TIH), heading to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt.
📞
1981-05-20
afternoonGirlfriend Reports Concern
When Kelley did not arrive in Los Angeles that afternoon, his girlfriend contacted his roommates, who confirmed he had left that morning.
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1981-06-04
Vehicle Found Abandoned
Kelley's orange 1976 Toyota Celica was located abandoned in New Orleans, Louisiana, approximately 1,500 miles from his last known location. Inside were 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:September 10, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:May 20, 1981 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:September 10, 2026