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Matthew Charles Kraft

The person at the center of this case

Matthew Charles Kraft

Case
#1418
SourceNamus MissingUpdated May 20, 2026
Mono County Sheriff-Coroner
Missing Person · Open
7 years waiting · since 2019

Missing Person: Matthew Charles Kraft

Justice for Matthew Charles Kraft — the trail went cold in 2019, but the truth hasn't.

Start here

Key leads to think about

📍
location
Lead #1

What was Kraft's exact planned route and final destination in the backcountry?

🔍
evidence
Lead #2

What condition was Kraft's vehicle in when found, and were personal items or gear recovered?

⏰
timeline
Lead #3

Were there any communications or signals from Kraft between February 23 and March 4?

Matthew Charles Kraft, a 24-year-old from California, disappeared on February 23, 2019, while on a backcountry hiking and skiing trip in the Sierra Nevada region. He failed to arrive at his intended pickup location on March 4, 2019, prompting extensive search operations by multiple law enforcement agencies. Despite aerial surveys and ground searches hampered by snow instability and avalanche risks, Kraft has never been found, and the circumstances of his disappearance remain unknown.

Case
#1418
SourceNamus MissingUpdated May 20, 2026
Mono County Sheriff-Coroner

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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.

💡
clue
Lead #4

Given avalanche and snow instability concerns, could Kraft have been caught in an avalanche or become trapped?

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 MP63564. Missing person: Matthew Charles Kraft.

Last known contact: 2019-02-23 in Independence, Inyo, CA. Circumstances: On 02/23/2019, KRAFT began a backcountry hiking, skiing trip in CA.

KRAFT failed to arrive at his intended destination where he was supposed to be picked up by his friend on 03/04/2019. Multiple law enforcement agencies searched KRAFT's reported planned route in efforts to locate him.

KRAFT's vehicle was located near Independence, CA. Search efforts of KRAFT's planned route were carried out by air craft surveys as ground operations were limited due to snow instability and avalanche concerns.

KRAFT has not been found. Demographics: 24 years, Male, White / Caucasian.

Physical description: 6 ft 1 in, 185 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown. Investigating agency: Mono County Sheriff-Coroner | 19-86.

Timeline of Events

👤
2019-02-23

Backcountry Trip Begins

Matthew Kraft began a backcountry hiking and skiing trip in California

👁️
2019-03-04

Missed Pickup

Kraft failed to arrive at his intended destination for scheduled pickup by friend

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:February 23, 2019
Last Updated:May 20, 2026

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Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.

Phone: 7609327549
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Case Information

Incident:February 23, 2019
Last Updated:May 20, 2026

Have Information?

Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.

Phone: 7609327549
You can remain anonymous