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Case Description

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Farren Wade Stanberry, an 18-year-old from John Day, Oregon, was last heard from on May 1, 1980. On his 18th birthday, in August 1979, Farren told his family he wanted to travel and explore the world. He began his journey across the country, keeping in touch with his family by calling them regularly. In his last communication in May or June 1980, Farren called from San Francisco, where he said he was staying at the International Hotel with other young men. He mentioned that he had lost his job a ...Read More
Last Seen: May 01, 1980

Victim Details

Apr 11, 2013

Jan 08, 2024

Farren

Stanberry

62

18

70 inches

165 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the spring of 1980, a young man named Farren Wade Stanberry, at the age of 18, vanished, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. Hailing from John Day, Oregon, Farren was described as an adventurous spirit who, on his eighteenth birthday in August 1979, embarked on a journey to see the world. He kept in regular contact with his family, particularly his grandmother, assuring them of his safety as he traveled. The last time his family ever heard from him was in May or June of 1980, when he made a call from San Francisco, California. During this final communication, he mentioned he was staying at a hotel with some other young men and had recently lost his job, leaving him short on money. Farren's final conversations with his family painted a picture of a young man in a precarious situation. He had asked his mother for money, a request that was denied. That same day, he spoke with his grandmother, a conversation she recalled as seemingly normal, ending with an expression of love. It was only after several weeks of silence that his concerned family reached out to the San Francisco hotel where he had been staying. They were met with the unsettling news that Farren had departed abruptly, leaving behind his personal belongings and an unpaid bill. This behavior was described by his family as being entirely out of character for the usually responsible young man. The investigation into Farren's disappearance has been fraught with challenges, stretching across decades and jurisdictions. The initial missing person report was filed in his hometown of John Day, Oregon, but it appears this information was not immediately shared with law enforcement in San Francisco, the city where he was last seen. This potential gap in communication may have hindered early search efforts. Over the years, his family has tirelessly pursued answers, providing DNA for comparison against unidentified remains. Despite these efforts, and the passage of more than four decades, the circumstances surrounding Farren Stanberry's disappearance remain unclear. His family continues to hold out hope for answers, grappling with the ambiguity of his fate. The case is a poignant reminder of the enduring pain and uncertainty that families of the missing face.

May 01, 1980

John Day

Oregon

Grant County

No

22538

John Day Police Department

John Day

Oregon

Grant County

97845

Richard Tirico

Chief

450 East Main Street, Oregon

5415750030

Local

Law Enforcement

80-124

1980-05-01

John Day Police Department

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

05/30/2026


Area Last Seen: