The person at the center of this case
Arnold Lawrence Tittel
Missing Person · Open
47 years waiting · since 1978
Missing Person: Arnold Lawrence Tittel
Justice for Arnold Lawrence Tittel — the trail went cold in 1978, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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witness
Lead #1Were there any witnesses on or near Folsom Lake on November 5, 1978, who saw the boat or the two men?
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evidence
Lead #2What caused the boat to be found floating and functional with no occupants—mechanical failure, accident, or foul play?
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clue
Lead #3Why were both men missing simultaneously from an operational boat in the middle of the lake?
Arnold Lawrence Tittel, a 39-year-old man, went boating on Folsom Lake with Virgil Bonham on November 5, 1978, and both disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Their boat was found floating and operational in the middle of the lake with no occupants, while their vehicle and personal belongings remained in the parking lot. Nearly 50 years later, the case remains unsolved, and investigators continue seeking information about what happened to both men that day.
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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.
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person
Lead #4What was the relationship between Arnold Tittel and Virgil Bonham, and were there any known conflicts or concerns?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP92661. Missing person: Arnold Lawrence Tittel.
Last known contact: 1978-11-05 in Folsom Lake, Placer, CA. Circumstances: Arnold went boating on Folsom Lake with Virgil Bonham (also missing).
Their boat was found floating and functional in the middle of the lake with both parties missing. Their vehicle was found in the parking lot with their personal items still inside.
Demographics: 39 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 6 ft 0 in, 165 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: Placer County Sheriff's Office | 14-1644 | 2014-02-18.
Timeline of Events
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1978-11-05
Boating Incident on Folsom Lake
Arnold Lawrence Tittel and Virgil Bonham went boating on Folsom Lake. Both men disappeared while their boat was found floating and functional in the middle of the lake.
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1978-11-05
Vehicle and Personal Items Found
The men's vehicle was discovered in the parking lot with their personal items still inside, indicating they did not voluntarily leave the area.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:November 5, 1978
Last Updated:June 19, 2026
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Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5308897800
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Case Information
Incident:November 5, 1978
Last Updated:June 19, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5308897800
You can remain anonymous