Nearly four decades ago, on January 13, 1980, Ranger Paul Fugate took a break from his job at Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona to take a hike, and vanished.
Now renewed interested in the case has prompted the National Park Service to triple its reward to $60,000 for information that could solve the mystery.
Without providing details, the Park Service's Investigative Services Branch announced Tuesday that new information has prompted NPS investigators and Cochise County (AZ) Sheriff Mark Dannels to renew their request for the public’s help in solving the 38-year-old mystery.
Ranger Fugate, then age 41, was working in the monument’s visitor center on the day he disappeared. At about 2 p.m. that day, he left the building to hike a park trail and was never seen again. Ranger Fugate was wearing his “green and gray” Park Service uniform, including the official NPS Arrowhead patch on his upper shirtsleeve and a gold-colored ranger badge pinned over his heart.
Although search teams combed the surrounding area extensively multiple times, they found no sign of the missing ranger, a Park Service release said. Investigators suspected foul play early on, and a formal missing-person case remains open. During the first few years after Fugate’s disappearance, the reward fund grew to $20,000. With this renewed focus, the National Park Service is now offering up to $60,000 for information leading to Fugate’s whereabouts and/or the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for his disappearance.
Searching in Chiricahua is certainly no picnic, Rick Smith, a retired Park Service ranger, wrote back in 2009 in reviewing the case.. The park sprawls over 12,000 acres and has complex terrain with numerous canyons, arroyos, and barrancas.
Had Paul been killed after stumbling onto a drug smuggling or illegal immigration operation? Had he decided that the NPS was too conservative for him and just walked away? The latter notion was born of the fact that Paul had been known as a bit of a non-conformist. He was, for example, one of the first rangers who pushed the boundaries on the Park Service's conservative grooming standards.
Agents with the Park Service's Investigative Services Branch ask that any leads in the case be directed to them via any of the following ways. Your identity will remain confidential:
PHONE or TEXT the ISB Tip Line at 888-653-0009
Go ONLINE to www.nps.gov/ISB and click “Submit a Tip”
EMAIL the ISB at [email protected]
MESSAGE investigators via Facebook @InvestigativeServicesNPS or via Twitter @SpecialAgentNPS
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Comments
THIS IS HOW CORRUPT WESTERN REGION NPS MANAGEMENT TREATED PAUL FUGATE'S FAMILY:
https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/2018/1/6/paul-fu...
"In early 1981, Howard Chapman, director of the Park Service's Western Region, reviewed the case and decided that Fugate had voluntarily ''abandoned his position.'' Paul was dismissed from his role, and his wife was asked to return the $6,900 paid to her, plus 11 percent interest. Later, the demand for repayment was changed to a deduction on his retirement fund."
"Dody was told that no appeal was possible because a termination hearing must be requested within 20 days and the dismissal had been made retrospectively to early 1980. It emerged that on another occasion, in late 1970, Paul had been dismissed by for having long hair and a handlebar moustache. After a dispute with the service, Mr. Fugate was reinstated in 1976 and his back pay and benefits were restored."
"For six years the National Park Service refused to list him as deceased and his widow was unable to collect benefits. In 1986, the NPS and an Arizona investigator re-examined the case and confirmed his death. Dody was finally able to claim full financial support. Not the park service's finest hour!"
It disturbs me that you hear of stories and implications of not only fowl play of one of our own Rangers but the injustice to those who remain. Clearly from this much of the article Fugate was targeted. Id like to read what profound evidence was presented to justify Howard Chapman's decision that he had "abandoned his position" and was it presented to the investigators in his disappearance . And what new evidence prompted for the case to be re-opened and the reward to go up. Its also clear that Fugate was a fighter of sorts so the story of him just walking away from his career and family doesn't make any sense. Although I will say that the Park services having anything to do with his disappearance over a pissing contest of him having a mustache and long hair is a bit of a stretch. Does it seem that if said such person was capable of actions like that would there by now be a well developed history to view? Back tracking to the story at hand, Fugate to this day has not been found body has not been found no sightings have been reported. In response to the theory that he may have walked up on a drug related situation. That kind of sounds like a band aid. It covers up a lot of areas and seems like its a well rounded theory at first. Then you start to ponder into that. Fugate took a walk? Was it that he needed some fresh air or did I read a lunch break? Does it make sense to go on a brief walk knowing you are to be back at your post and then stumble up on drug plot, dealers, any drug situation that close to a Ranger Post? Id like to know what time he headed out on such a walk? When was his shift to end that day? Does it make sense that he would have walked very far to have to walk all the way back Doesn't hold water. I don't know any other details of this case other than what has been written , but based on what I've read so far this is either a terrible accident , human error , fowl play . May those left behind receive loving kindness, mercy and above all else justice.
Man sentenced to 76 years in prison for Attempted First Degree Murder of NPS Employee
Contact: NPS Investigative Services Branch, (202) 379-4761
"The man who attacked a National Park Service employee in Chiricahua National Monument has been sentenced to serve 76 years in prison. The sentence was handed down yesterday in Cochise County court. Gil Gaxiola, age 33, was convicted in March of Attempted First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, three counts of Aggravated Assault, Kidnapping, and motor vehicle theft."
https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/chir-assault-sentencing.htm
It was quite a stretch for NPS Management to conclude that Mr. Fugate had gone AWOL after he was still missing following a search. I remember this case when it happened, and foul play was indeed highly suspected. I would expect more corroboration before coming to such a conclusion, which delayed survivor payments to his wife. Maybe his appearance was a factor in this decision.
After searching the "Web", I came across this. Does anybody know where this information came from?
"Another possible lead was a park ranger from Cochise County in Bisbee, Ariz., Paul Fugate, missing since 1980 but reportedly seen in 1983 in Bend, Ore. An interesting case in itself, Fugate — married, an avid outdoorsman who often camped by himself in remote areas — was believed to have followed his pregnant girlfriend to Bend where he disappeared. She fell in with tree planters from that area and apparently went to Alaska, according to the report. Reynolds also noted Cochise County had information a Wisconsin man made a statement he killed a cop in Arizona during 1980, a possible connection to the Fugate case, but investigation details were not clear...."
Just more B.S. I was a ranger in CHIR when Paul went missing. I knew from day one that it was criminal activity that was responsible.
Wonder if Paul is on this guys list?
A 78-year-old serial killer who claims to have killed 90 people pleaded guilty to murder on Thursday in connection with a 1994 slaying.
Samuel Little, who says he committed the murders in 20 states over four decades, received yet another life sentence after entering his plea in an Odessa courtroom. nydailynews
Oh c'mon! This was not Samuel Little's MO at all! He murdered prostitues, and women that got into his car. No men. He was an opportunist, and all the crimes happened in the city. He took numberous pictures of his victims dead, dying, and while they were alive. If there were any men as victims, he most certainly would have photograped them, and none were found.
I would like to be in touch with W.B. Murray - I was an SCP Volunteer the summer of 1980 at Chirachua.
W.B. Murray current park ranger at CHIR would like to talk with you.
Through GOOGLE SEARCH, One may locate several national OBITS under the Name Paul Fugate: the following is for the missing NPS
Paul B. FUGATE not respected by Western Region
Regional Director Howard Chapman; Why ?
Paul B. FUGATE
Obituary
Guest Book
"My family and I would like to extend our deepest..."
View Sign
FUGATE, Paul B. 9/2/1938 - 1/13/1980 On The afternoon of January 13, 1980, Paul Fugate a ranger at Chiricahua National Monument walked out of his office and vanished without a trace. Nothing from his apartment at the Park or his home in Tucson were missing. After an extended search; foul play has been suspected. No sign of Fugate has ever been detected since. Paul was the eldest of the six children of Braxton and Monette Fugate. His mother went to her grave never knowing where her eldest sons' body lies. Such tragedies as this could tear families apart but Paul's large extended family and his many friends continue to search for him and hope to find out what happened to him. Paul's wife, Dody continues to roam the mountains and hills of Cochise County looking for anything that might lead to a conclusion to this mystery. With a loss such as this there is no healing from the sorrow. If anyone has any idea what happened to Paul or where his body may be found please get in touch with Cliff Shipley ([email protected]) or Tal Parker ([email protected]) or Dody Fugate ([email protected]) There is no rest for Paul's family and friends without some conclusion to this. Over the years Dody Fugate has watched the Chiricahua area become more and more dangerous to search. Another Monument employee has been assaulted in the same area where we think Paul was killed. If anyone can be of help please help us end this continuing nightmare. There is a small plaque in Paul's' name at the Monument. This is all we have to keep a truly fine man from being forgotten.
This incident happened during the era when controversial and "bad things" were not consistently reported and properly investigated across the Service. I don't know if this incident fits or not, but it certainly does show a callous attitude by NPS Managers towards a missing employee under suspicious circumstances. It would seem to me that if Ranger Fugate planned his disappearance, he would have eventually shown up to see his mother before she died. And If he was murdered by drug smugglers who thought he was a law enforcement officer, any number of possibilities exist for what was done with his body. I hope his wife will eventually find closure in some manner.
I just came across this case. I have a very bad feeling Paul Fugate did not leave the office to hike a trail. My suspicions are with the people he worked with and for! Drug smugglers or coyotes aka traffickers.. I don't believe would of gathered his belongings, since not one of his possessions were found! Did the investigators investigate EVERYONE associated with him and the park service? Someone has evidently committed the perfect crime!
I do not believe he died in that park, just MHO.
This is and old article, so I'm not sure anyone will read it. I would bet big money that I'm not the only one who believes this to be true.
I'm a 54 year old who used to love hiking and have hitched a few rides in my life and there is no way anyone can just go missing unless it's foul play , so I agree with you Valerie , if I had the money to bet on it I would bet a million dollars the man who was giving Paul a hard time is most likely the true suspect, just an old mans opinion, may God bless the family of mr Paul and I hope and pray God gives you all the answers so all can Rest In Peace .
One of the problems Paul Fugate had was because he had gotten (sp) on the bad side of a person high up in the NPS.
It wasn't a thing he had planned to do things just turned out that way. A strong part of the problems he had stemmed from that unfortunate incident. This is not heresay, by the way, the information actually resides in the records of a judicial hearing held in Tucson. The upshot is 'Don't ratttle the cages of folks above you if you are going to get killed later"
I can grantee Paul did not go to Bend Oregon or Alaska. But it makes good gossup, doesn't it.
Just listened to your interview with Delia D'Ambra. Over the years I've found myself enthralled in the massive cases and numbers of missing people from national parks here. Truly hope and pray answers about what happened to Paul can happen soon. Power and money can make skeletons in closets disappear but not forever. It's only a matter of time before someone opens that closet and starts talking. Keeping you in my thoughts Dody!
I talked with Paul for over an hour a couple weeks before he disapeared. He provided me with a lot of enviro info to help in making the case for Wilderness Designation for the area designated and the North end near the Monument. Very helpful. I had been harrassed by a member of a then notorious family in the area. I always wondered if they killed him and put him in their mine in the Dos Cabezas where they supposed had buried one of their ex-wives who also disappeared.
Dear Dody, I am just learning about Paul today. All these years in which I have known you, I had no idea! What a terrible loss and ordeal you have gone through. I am so very sorry. Can't imagine how I can help, but I would if I could. Wishing you the very best in 2020...Jane Buchsbaum
I have lived in Tucson, Az since 1975 and spent the first 30 years of my life hiking, backpacking, and camping in in the Chirachaua Mountains. For most of that time it was a relatively safe recreational area without much criminal or cartel activity. However, that all changed in towards the end of the 1990s and early 2000s. Around that time due to the events of 9/11 coupled with a new administration in Washington D.C. that took a hardline approach to illegal immigration the Border Patrol and Customs were absorbed into a massive new bureaucracy we now know as the Dept of Homeland Security. With these changes came a massive influx of money and equipment along with a change the culture at ICE/CBP. New policy, procedures and tactics brought a massive build up of manpower, improved border barriers, and surveilance tech to the troubled spots for illegal immigaration and drug running in the populated areas and border crossings along the border in Texas and California.
These new tactics worked and human smuggling and drud smuggling was heavily impacted in those areas but it didn't disappear. Human smuggling and drug running was simply funneled into the wilderness and rural areas along the border in New Mexico and Arizona. Now the border areas in these states had always had some human smuggling and drug activity but due to the vast and harsh wilderness terrain along with triple digit heat for 4 to 5 months a year kept these activities to minimum. Now the cartels focused there operations and all off a sudden places like the Chirachauas and Organ Pipe National Monument that went right up to the border. F drug smuggling super highways. This turned one of the most beautiful and exciting outdoor recreational areasin AZ into a dangerous and crime ridden area.
I no will longer will hike alone or unarmed in the Chirachauas and some parts of the range are just better to stay away from. I have no dout that many of the disappearances in the past 25 years are folks who were simply hiking or camping in the wrong place at the wrong time. The cartel soldiers aren't afraid to murder Border Patrol agents or any other LEO so an unsuspecting hiker isn't going to be allowed to compromise an operation. The cartel activity has also added another creepy factor to spending time the mountains. The cartels have spotters equiped with high power spotter scopes, encrypted satelite phones, and even military grade night vision and FLIR optics camped out along high points along their routes and they're constantly running counterintelligence operations against the variou law enforcement agencies in the area. This gives you that creepy feeling of being constantly watched by some unknown presence. You'll be hiking along and all of sudden you feel the hairs on the back of your neck raise up and the whole atmosphere just changes. I've learned to trust that feeling and leave the area immediately. I'm no gun nut but i would implore you to always be armed when hiking in the areas along our border.
I think there are 2 possibilities here. Either Paul stumbled upon a drug deal going on and was eliminated, or he decided to go off trail and ended up somewhere complelety different, had an accident and died. A 3rd possibility is that a few persons from the NPS hung around the area Paul was headed and they got rid of him. Anything could have been possible. I cannot say for certain what happened to Paul but whatever happened is horrendous for all his loved ones. I really pray someone comes forwards with information and he is found. I also hope that the NPS conducts a more thorough search.
Always focus on what is known and evaluate that. when he left he told the other employee to lock up if he wasnt back by 4. Was that out of the ordinary? He left his radio and keys at the center. Was that out of the ordinary? If so then he may have had a plan. If itvwas his habit then that would support the possibility of foul play.
I know this area very well. I know the border, cartel, BP, CCSO and the whole southern AZ valle.
If I had to focus efforts in researching this case, i would start in this priority.
Coworkers; NPS, volunteers, and seasonals.
visitors
Him
locals - foul play
Cartel Those who know will tell you, the last thing the cartel wants in more attention. That far from the MX border, maybe a random act of violence by someone crossing?
Could it have been an alien abduction?
I thought they found his shirt and maybe a boot, possibly both boots? Its been a while since I've read that somewhere.. or was that a different case altogether?
My wife & I took a two-year sabatical to national parks where I read the Statement for Management and the Natural Resources Management Plan at every park we visited, including the defunct Niagara Falls that never became "a gem of the necklace," Fossil Cycad National Monument that was decomissioned by Eisenhower and the New Mexico proposed park that would be dedicated to mining, logging and cattle. Yosemite had thei Nat Res Plan on a lectern in the visitor center, and Canyon Descheyes put me in their library on my own recognizance, but Chericahua was the only park that grilled me for almost 2 hours, fearful of something, and not once was I told in 1986-7 that a ranger on duty vanished. Nothing was said about it, though my questions to the pair who interrogated me should have elicited that information. [The book I wrote never saw publication]
I pray he is found, and if there are perpetrators involved, that they are punished to the highest extent of the law! Why do the good guy’s, always finish last? This is so sad!
Please help us we have some new information but travil money to talk to people out of state is hard to come by in such an old case
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-find-paul-fugate-and-bring-him-home