Bruce Zinzan Montgomerie, a 59-year-old pediatrician affiliated with Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center, was last seen leaving his Santa Rosa, California home on the evening of October 26, 2022. His family reported him missing the following day, October 27 — raising immediate concern due to his uncharacteristic disappearance and possible mental health struggles.
On October 28, authorities located Dr.
Montgomerie’s vehicle parked at the Jenner Headlands Preserve, an expansive coastal area approximately 40 miles west of Santa Rosa. Inside the car, his phone was discovered; his jacket was later found near the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. These findings intensified fears that he might have been in emotional distress at the time of his disappearance.
Official records confirm Dr. Montgomerie’s disappearance under NamUs case number MP98744, with last contact dated October 27. He is described as a 5′9″ white male, approximately 170 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. The Santa Rosa Police Department led the investigation, liaising with family members and the community to locate him.
In the weeks after he went missing, both local news outlets and online forums such as Websleuths discussed the case extensively. Posts highlighted the timing of his departure around 5 p.m. on October 26 and reflected community concerns about his mental well-being.
Tragically, Dr. Montgomerie was later found deceased. His obituary, published on February 13, 2023 in the San Francisco Chronicle and other outlets, confirmed his death on October 27 from what was determined to be suicide. The obituary painted a portrait of a gifted healer—born in New Zealand on October 21, 1963, educated at UCLA and UC Davis, and trained in pediatrics at the University of Utah. A devoted father, husband, musician, athlete and nature enthusiast, Dr. Montgomerie was beloved by colleagues, patients, and the wider Santa Rosa community.
In a heartfelt remembrance page hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, it was revealed that Dr. Montgomerie had battled depression, anxiety, and personal trauma, particularly over the five years preceding his passing. The fundraising tribute encouraged those facing mental health challenges to reach out for support.
The case galvanized community reflection on mental health, especially among healthcare professionals. While the circumstances of his final hours—evidenced by the abandoned car and jacket near a cliff—suggested self-harm, the exact details remain sorrowful and deeply personal.
Friends, colleagues, and families who knew Dr. Montgomerie continue to cherish his memory: his gentle presence, musical spirit, and compassionate care left a lasting imprint. Though the investigation concluded with the loss of a remarkable physician and father, his legacy endures in the countless lives he touched during his career.Last Seen: Oct 27, 2022
