Eighteen-year-old Farren Wade Stanberry was an adventurous young man who, on his eighteenth birthday in August 1979, decided to leave his home in John Day, Oregon, to travel the country. Raised by his grandmother and aunt, Stanberry was in regular contact with his family, calling them at least once a month to let them know he was safe. His journey eventually led him to San Francisco, California, where he was staying in a hotel.
At the time of his disappearance, Stanberry was described as a white male, 5'10" and 165 pounds, with dirty blonde or brown hair and hazel eyes. He had a scar on his abdomen from an appendectomy and had previously broken both of his wrists.
The last time his family heard from him was on April 26, 1980, when he made a phone call home from San Francisco. While many online sources state the date of last contact as May 1, 1980, a detective in charge of his case has clarified the correct date is April 26th. During his last conversation with his grandmother, he told her he loved her and she reported that nothing seemed out of the ordinary. That same day, he also spoke with his mother and informed her that he had lost his job and needed money, a request she denied. He mentioned he was staying at a hotel with a group of other young men. Though often listed as the International Hotel, his bank records indicate he was living at the National Hotel located at 1139 Market Street.
Weeks after his last call, Stanberry’s grandmother became concerned and contacted the hotel. She was informed that Farren had left unexpectedly, leaving behind his personal belongings and identification, and had an outstanding bill for his stay. This behavior was considered very uncharacteristic of him by his family. Farren Wade Stanberry was officially reported missing by his grandmother in John Day, Oregon, on June 16, 1980. The Grant County Sheriff's Office in Oregon is the investigating agency for his case. Years later, a hotel worker mentioned that Stanberry had been visiting a gay man, though the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear. His family believes he is deceased.Last Seen: May 1, 1980
