The person at the center of this case
John Curely Hartenfeld
Missing Person · Open
29 years waiting · since 1996
Missing Person: John Curely Hartenfeld
Justice for John Curely Hartenfeld — the trail went cold in 1996, but the truth hasn't.
Start here
Key leads to think about
📍
location
Lead #1Why was the exact fishing location kept undisclosed, and could identifying it provide clues to what happened?
🚗
vehicle
Lead #2What condition was the 4-Runner in when found, and were there any signs of accident, foul play, or abandonment?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3What is the significance of the 2.5-month gap between his disappearance and the vehicle discovery?
John Curely Hartenfeld, a 46-year-old man, disappeared on August 3, 1996, after leaving his Santa Fe home to go fishing in an undisclosed location above Taos, New Mexico. His 1996 Toyota 4-Runner was discovered on October 19, 1996, abandoned in a remote high mountain area southeast of Amalia, New Mexico, raising questions about what happened during his fishing trip. Despite the vehicle discovery, Hartenfeld's fate remains unknown after nearly three decades, and investigators continue seeking information about his whereabouts.
Try asking
Claim this imported case
A one-time $10 claim transfers this imported case workspace to your account. You get 10 uploads for this case, 25 daily AI questions for this case, and public tips with files route to you.
10 uploads25 AI questions/day
This does not start a subscription. When the included limits are reached, the Personal plan unlocks more workspace capacity.
More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Were there any personal belongings, supplies, or fishing equipment found in or near the vehicle?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP127934. Missing person: John Curely Hartenfeld.
Last known contact: 1996-08-02 in Raton, Colfax, NM. Circumstances: On August 3, 1996 John Hartenfeld left his home in Santa Fe to go fishing in an undisclosed place above Taos, NM.
He has not been seen or heard from again. On October 19, 1996 Hartenfeld's 1996 Toyota 4-Runner was found in the remote high mountain area, southeast of Amalia, NM.
Demographics: 46 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 6 ft 0 in, 200 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Hazel.
Investigating agency: New Mexico State Police | 96-5747.
Timeline of Events
👤
1996-08-03
John Hartenfeld Disappears
John Curely Hartenfeld left his home in Santa Fe to go fishing in an undisclosed location above Taos, New Mexico. He has not been seen or heard from since.
🔍
1996-10-19
Vehicle Found
Hartenfeld's 1996 Toyota 4-Runner was discovered in a remote high mountain area, southeast of Amalia, New Mexico.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 3, 1996
Last Updated:June 18, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5058279300
You can remain anonymous
Leave a comment
Comments
Case Information
Incident:August 3, 1996
Last Updated:June 18, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5058279300
You can remain anonymous