Shawn Farzad Attaie Missing Person Case

Shawn Farzad Attaie, a 22-year-old graduate student, went missing in San Francisco, California on March 29, 2006. At the time of his disappearance, he was a sociology student at the University of California, Santa Barbara, with an interest in social justice. Attaie was 5'8" tall, weighed 160 pounds, and had brown hair and brown eyes.

On the morning of his disappearance, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Attaie was with a childhood friend at the Sutro Baths. The two had been drinking vodka and were exploring the coastal caves in the area. While on the cliffs, Attaie fell into the high-tide waters and was swept into the ocean. His friend reportedly has a digital photograph of Attaie from around the time he fell into the water.

Following the incident, Attaie's friend attempted to get help from tourists in the area, but they reportedly dismissed him, thinking he was drunk or not being truthful. The friend then became uncommunicative and returned to his residence, where his roommates eventually pieced together what had occurred. There was a significant delay in notifying authorities; the Coast Guard and the U.S. Park Police were not informed until the evening of the following day. This delay was attributed to a miscommunication, as it seems everyone involved believed someone else had already contacted the police. Attaie's family has stated they do not suspect foul play, emphasizing the close friendship between the two men.

Once notified, the Coast Guard initiated a search using a boat and a helicopter, but no evidence of Attaie's whereabouts was found. Although he is believed to have drowned, Shawn Farzad Attaie is still officially classified as a missing person. In the wake of his disappearance, his family created a website to share information and seek assistance from the public. The U.S. Park Police in San Francisco is the investigating agency for this case.
Last Seen: Mar 29, 2006

Shawn Farzad Attaie - The Charley Project

Shawn Farzad Attaie | State of California - Department of Justice

Attaie,Shawn - Porchlight International for the Missing & Unidentified