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Crime Solvers Central
295 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP10115) and 7 other sources
Stacy Lee Sabal, a 25-year-old man, was last seen on August 4, 1988, when he embarked on a commercial fishing trip in the Big Sur area of Northern California. He was accompanied by his employer, Vito Russo, Russo's son Jason, and another coworker, Stephen La Spino. The group set out on a fishing vessel named *The Mission Bell*. However, the boat never returned, and all four men were reported missing on August 7, 1988, three days after their departure from port.

The United States Coast Guard conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area, but neither the boat nor any of its passengers were ever found. Stacy Sabal, who was of Filipino and Puerto Rican descent, had a distinguishing scar on his left knee and a tattoo of the word "Hawaii" on his shoulder. His case, along with the others, remains unsolved, with no substantial clues to what might have occurred during the trip.

Authorities continue to list the case as a missing persons investigation, and despite the passage of time, the disappearance remains a mystery. Sabal's case is cataloged in various missing persons databases, including NamUs and the California Department of Justice.

Last Seen: Aug 4, 1988