Vanished on Two Wheels: The Unsolved Disappearance of Marine Gary Boutilier

A Promising Young Marine’s Final Ride

On June 17, 1978, 19-year-old Lance Corporal Gary Boutilier departed from the Millington Naval Air Station near Memphis, Tennessee. Having recently purchased a new motorcycle, he informed friends of his plan to ride through the rural roads near Shelby Park. This routine outing marked the last time anyone saw or heard from him. His disappearance has since remained an enduring mystery, leaving his family and investigators without closure.

From Deserter to Presumed Dead

Initially, military protocol led to Boutilier being classified as a deserter after 30 days of absence. This designation caused significant distress to his family, who believed he would never abandon his duties without cause. After four years, and following advocacy from groups like Citizens Against Military Injustice, his status was changed to "missing." In 1984, six years after his disappearance, the Marine Corps updated his status to "presumed dead," enabling his family to access his Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance benefits. They intended to use these funds to conduct a private investigation into his disappearance. ...Read More

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