The person at the center of this case
Virgil Eugene Bonham
Missing Person · Open
47 years waiting · since 1978
Missing Person: Virgil Eugene Bonham
Justice for Virgil Eugene Bonham — the trail went cold in 1978, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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person
Lead #1Who was Arnold Tittel and what was his relationship to Virgil Bonham?
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evidence
Lead #2Why was the boat found floating and functional—what caused both men to disappear from an operational vessel?
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clue
Lead #3Were there any witnesses to the boating trip or observations of the boat in distress?
Virgil Eugene Bonham, a 38-year-old man, disappeared on November 5, 1978, while boating on Folsom Lake in Placer County, California with companion Arnold Tittel. Their boat was found floating and operational in the middle of the lake with both men missing, though their vehicle and personal belongings remained in the parking lot. The circumstances of their disappearance remain unexplained after nearly five decades, leaving open questions about whether they drowned, were rescued, or met another fate.
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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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location
Lead #4What specific area of Folsom Lake were they boating in, and were there currents or hazards that day?
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timeline
Lead #5What time did they launch and when was the boat discovered—how long were they missing before being found?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP92657. Missing person: Virgil Eugene Bonham.
Last known contact: 1978-11-05 in Folsom Lake, Placer, CA. Circumstances: Virgil went boating on Folsom Lake with Arnold Tittel (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: 38 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 8 in, 140 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Hazel.
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
Virgil Eugene Bonham and Arnold Tittel went boating on Folsom Lake. Their boat was found floating and functional in the middle of the lake with both parties missing. Their vehicle and personal items were found in the parking lot.
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:November 5, 1978
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
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Phone: 5308897800
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Case Information
Incident:November 5, 1978
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5308897800
You can remain anonymous