Mel Nadel, a 61-year-old businessman and fitness instructor from Santa Fe, New Mexico, disappeared on September 6, 2009, while on a bowhunting trip in the Elk Mountain area of the Santa Fe National Forest, near Pecos. Nadel was with two friends who set out to hunt, but Mel opted to stay closer to the camp due to a recent knee injury. Around 4:30 p.m., he left the campsite with a .44 Special revolver and a Martin bow, intending to hunt nearby and return by nightfall. However, he never came back.
When his friends returned, they found Nadel's belongings, including his Jeep, phone, and GPS unit, at the camp. Despite an extensive search involving ground teams, helicopters, and scent-tracking dogs, no trace of Nadel or his equipment was ever found beyond 50 yards from the camp. Investigators were puzzled, as Mel had previously been lost on a hunting trip and had become cautious, preferring to stay near the camp.
Nadel's disappearance remains a mystery, with no evidence of foul play or a clear explanation for his vanishing. His family, friends, and authorities continue to seek answers, and the case is still unsolved. Nadel's disappearance has become part of the lore surrounding the "Pecos Triangle," an area known for mysterious vanishings.Last Seen: Sep 6, 2009
