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 the nature of his relationship to Virgil Bonham?
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evidence
Lead #2Why was the boat found floating and functional with no signs of distress or struggle?
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witness
Lead #3Were there any witnesses to the boating trip or anyone who saw the men that day?
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 functional in the middle of the lake with both men missing, though their vehicle and personal items remained in the parking lot. Nearly five decades later, the circumstances of their disappearance remain unexplained, and investigators continue seeking information about what happened 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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clue
Lead #4What was the condition of the vehicle and personal items—were there any signs of foul play or accident?
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timeline
Lead #5How much time elapsed between when the men departed and when the boat was discovered?
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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 Disappearance
Virgil Eugene Bonham and Arnold Tittel went boating on Folsom Lake. Both men went missing; their boat was found floating and functional in the middle of the lake with no occupants.
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1978-11-05
Vehicle and Personal Items Found
The men's vehicle was located in the parking lot with their personal items still inside, suggesting an unexpected disappearance.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:November 5, 1978
Last Updated:June 16, 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 16, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5308897800
You can remain anonymous