In the late summer of 2025, a sense of concern grew for 48-year-old David W. Arleth Jr., a male resident of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. He was last seen around noon on August 20, 2025, in the vicinity of Nilson Road in Walker Township. Friends and family grew worried as communication ceased. Described as a known outdoorsman and an avid fisherman, those who knew him were aware of his increasing desire to distance himself from society. He had expressed a desire to 'live off the land' to his family. Friends noted that he had become more secluded and withdrawn over the years. A missing person advisory was issued as the days turned into weeks with no word from Arleth.
The search for David Arleth Jr. took a significant turn on October 14, 2025, when his vehicle, a blue 2016 Subaru Outback, was discovered. The car was located in a remote area on Oregon Hill Road, west of its intersection with State Route 287 in Pine Township, Lycoming County.
This location is notably near the vast expanse of the Tioga State Forest. The discovery of his car, far from his home in Centre County, intensified the mystery surrounding his disappearance. The vehicle was recovered by the Pennsylvania State Police and taken to the Rockview station for processing.
Inside the recovered Subaru, investigators found a peculiar collection of items that offered a glimpse into Arleth's mindset. Among his belongings were his driver's license, a VISA card, a toothbrush, and clothing. More telling, however, were the discoveries of Pennsylvania State Park maps and his cell phone, which had been curiously wrapped in aluminum foil. Friends also mentioned that his car contained survival notes. These items, coupled with his expressed desire to live off the grid and his history as an outdoorsman, painted a complex picture for investigators. The case remains a poignant and unresolved story of a man who seemingly chose to vanish into the wilderness he was so drawn to.Last Seen: Aug 20, 2025
