The person at the center of this case
Joseph Anthony Hale
Missing Person · Open
28 years waiting · since 1998
Missing Person: Joseph Anthony Hale
Justice for Joseph Anthony Hale — the trail went cold in 1998, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1Why was Joseph slumped over the vessel before it was abandoned? Was he injured, ill, or incapacitated?
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location
Lead #2What was the exact location of the vessel when found, and were there any currents or conditions that could explain his disappearance?
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clue
Lead #3What personal items were recovered from the water, and could they provide clues about what happened?
Joseph Anthony Hale, a 23-year-old fisherman, disappeared on March 20, 1998, from the waters near Redding, California while operating his fishing vessel. Deputies discovered the boat running in tight circles with no operator aboard, though his hat and personal items were found in the water. His disappearance remains unexplained despite investigation by the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, and anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to come forward.
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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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witness
Lead #4Were there any other boats or witnesses in the area who saw Joseph or the vessel that day?
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 MP149907. Missing person: Joseph Anthony Hale.
Last known contact: 1998-03-20 in Redding, Shasta, CA. Circumstances: A report was received of a vessel turning tight circles with the operator slumped over the vessel.
When deputies arrived on scene, the vessel was still turning circles but there was no one aboard. Joseph's wife stated her husband dropped her and their son off and he went back out to continue fishing and asked her to pick him up at 18:00 hours.
She also said the boat had been running fine. Joseph's hat and personal item were retrieved from the water.
Demographics: 23 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 10 in, 155 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: Shasta County Sheriff's Office | 98-07978 & 19S021205 | 1998-03-20.
Timeline of Events
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1998-03-20
18:00Joseph Hale Missing
Joseph dropped off his wife and son, returned to continue fishing. Wife expected to pick him up at 18:00 hours. Vessel found running in circles with operator slumped over, then abandoned.
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1998-03-20
Vessel Discovery
Deputies arrived to find vessel still turning circles with no one aboard. Joseph's hat and personal items retrieved from the water.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:March 20, 1998 at 6:00 PM
Last Updated:July 30, 2026
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Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5302456025
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Case Information
Incident:March 20, 1998 at 6:00 PM
Last Updated:July 30, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5302456025
You can remain anonymous