William David Sanders, an 80-year-old man from Shasta County, California, was last seen on June 25, 2020. On that day, he spoke with his daughter by phone and asked her to pick him up from his residence. He has not been seen or heard from since that day. At the time of his disappearance, Sanders, also known as Bill, was described as a white male, 5'7" tall, weighing 240 pounds, with gray hair, a gray mustache, and brown eyes. He was known to have difficulty with his hearing, sight, and mobility, and he is also diabetic.
The circumstances surrounding Sanders's disappearance are deeply troubling due to their connection to his son, Daun Eric Sanders, who was also his caregiver. The two lived together in a trailer on a property where they assisted the owner with chores in exchange for rent. Just two days after William Sanders was last seen, on June 27, 2020, his son Daun allegedly shot three people in Shingletown, California. All three victims ultimately died from their injuries.
Following the shooting, authorities identified Daun Sanders as the sole suspect and began a search for him. It was during this investigation that law enforcement realized his father, William, was missing. The manhunt for Daun Sanders ended on July 1, 2020, when he was struck by a vehicle and killed on a freeway in Ontario, California.
Authorities have not officially stated that William Sanders's disappearance is directly related to the actions of his son, but they believe he is at risk. Investigators from the Shasta County Sheriff's Office have indicated they suspect foul play in William's disappearance, potentially at the hands of his son. A reward of up to $5,000 has been offered for information leading to his location. As of late 2024, the case remains unsolved, and William David Sanders is still considered a missing person.
Last Seen: Jun 25, 2020
