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 instead of Los Angeles? Did he change his destination, or was he taken there?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What was the significance of the Pat O'Brien's postcard, Texas book, and Texas map found in the vehicle? Did Kelley place them there, or was this done by someone else?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3What happened between May 20 when Kelley left Sacramento and June 4 when his vehicle was found in New Orleans? The two-week gap is critical.
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 book titled "Texas," and a Texas map—suggesting he may have traveled far from his intended destination or been taken there. Despite nearly 45 years of investigation, Kelley's whereabouts remain unknown, and the circumstances of his disappearance and the vehicle's presence in New Orleans remain unexplained.
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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 there any evidence of foul play, or does the vehicle's contents suggest voluntary travel to Texas or Louisiana?
👁️
witness
Lead #5Were there any sightings of Kelley or his orange Celica between Sacramento and New Orleans during May 20-June 4, 1981?
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.
📞
1981-05-20
afternoonGirlfriend Reports Concern
When Kelley did not arrive in Los Angeles, his girlfriend contacted his roommates who confirmed he had left that morning.
🔍
1981-06-04
Vehicle Found Abandoned
Kelley's 1976 Toyota Celica was located abandoned in New Orleans, Louisiana, containing a Pat O'Brien's postcard, a book titled "Texas," and a Texas map.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 20, 1981 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:October 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:May 20, 1981 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:October 29, 2026