Account
Nov 27, 2013
May 26, 2023
Gilbert
Gilman
65
47
67 inches
155 lbs
165 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
On a summer day in June 2006, 47-year-old Gilbert Mark Gilman drove his silver Ford Thunderbird convertible to the Staircase Ranger Station in Washington's picturesque Olympic National Park. He was last seen on June 24, 2006, dressed for a casual outing in a bright green and blue Hawaiian-style floral shirt, khaki shorts, and flip-flops. Intending to take photographs rather than embark on a strenuous hike, Gilman carried a camera but no backpack or other hiking gear. A park ranger, Sanny Lustig, briefly spoke with him, becoming the last known person to see Gilman. When he failed to meet a coworker for a planned trip to Spokane the next day, he was reported missing. A few days after his disappearance, Gilman's Ford Thunderbird was found still parked at the Staircase Ranger Station. This discovery prompted an extensive ten-day search of the surrounding area. The search efforts were considerable, involving 62 searchers on the ground, tracking dogs, a helicopter, and a plane equipped with heat-seeking technology. The terrain they covered was challenging, characterized by steep, rocky hills, dense forest, and the North Fork Skokomish River. Despite the exhaustive search, not a single trace of Gilman or his belongings was ever found. The complete lack of evidence has left Gilman's case open and shrouded in mystery. Several theories have emerged over the years, though none are supported by concrete evidence. Some speculate that his disappearance could be connected to his professional life; Gilman was the deputy director of the Washington State Pension Fund and had a background as a military interrogator with experience in counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence. His mother even considered the possibility that he had become a spy for the U.S. government. Another theory suggested a possible link to serial killer Israel Keyes, who was living in the area at the time and had a history of hiking in the park. However, the FBI has stated that a connection to Keyes is highly unlikely. With no clues to follow, the disappearance of Gilbert Gilman remains an unsolved and perplexing case, one of the many mysteries within the vast wilderness of Olympic National Park.
Jun 24, 2006
Hoodsport
Washington
Thurston County
No
22875
Thurston County Sheriff's Office
Olympia
Washington
Thurston County
98502
Roland Weiss
Detective
2000 Lakeridge Drive Southwest, Washington
3607865500
County
Law Enforcement
06-05808-06
Thurston County Sheriff's Office
Brown
Brown
Brown
06/20/2026
