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Virgil Bonham Missing Person Case

Last seen in Folsom Lake, California on Nov 5, 1978

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Victim Details

Jun 27, 2022

Jan 9, 2024

Virgil

Bonham

86

38

68 inches

140 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Nov 5, 1978

Folsom Lake

California

Placer County

No

116796

Placer County Sheriff's Office

Auburn

California

Placer County

95603

Kurt Leatherman

Placer County Sheriff Detective

2929 Richardson Drive, California

5308897800

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.placer.ca.gov/1680/Sheriffs-Office

14-1644

Feb 18, 2014

Placer County Sheriff's Office

na

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 14, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP92657) and 5 other sources
Virgil Eugene Bonham Jr., age 38, was last seen on November 5, 1978, at Folsom Lake, California. Bonham had gone boating with his friend Arnold Tittel. The two men were seen earlier that day at a service station around 12:30 p.m., and were expected to return by 5:00 p.m. When they did not return, authorities began a search.

At 3:00 p.m., another boater spotted their 12-foot fiberglass boat adrift and intact in the middle of Folsom Lake, but both Bonham and Tittel were missing. Their car, parked nearby, still contained personal belongings, except for their cigarettes and lighters, as both were heavy smokers. The day of their disappearance was overcast but otherwise calm, with good conditions for boating, and both men were described as strong swimmers.

Despite extensive searches, neither Bonham nor Tittel were ever found, and they are presumed to have drowned. However, their bodies were never recovered, and their case remains unsolved.
Last Seen: Nov 5, 1978

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Virgil Eugene Bonham Jr. | Placer County, CA
  • Arnold Lawrence Tittel | Placer County, CA
  • Virgil Eugene Bonham Jr. - The Charley Project
  • Alphabetical List of Collections: A-B | UCSB Library
  • Research Tools/Facts and Figures - Marine Corps University

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Sacramento, California
    UP2400 • Found Nov 19, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 37–57 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 99%125 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 50%Red vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Sacramento, California
    UP2373 • Found Sep 7, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 91%120 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Bolinas, California
    UP17762 • Found Dec 30, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%102 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Reno, Nevada - unidentified case UP2100
    John Doe — Reno, Nevada
    UP2100 • Found Jul 11, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 78%89 mi away
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 74%172 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    78%Possible
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5859 • Found May 22, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 38
    Race 100%White
    Location 76%97 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%140 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Turlock, California
    UP50957 • Found Jul 11, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 79%87 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 23 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%130–180 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — California
    UP17760 • Found Jul 11, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 68%Est. 30–35 vs 38
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%100 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 91%160 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Vacaville, California - unidentified case UP15524
    John Doe — Vacaville, California
    UP15524 • Found Apr 28, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 38
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%54 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 months after last seen
    Height 75%5'5"–6'1" vs 5'8"
    Weight 50%185 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Burlingame, California
    UP9898 • Found Oct 5, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 33–46 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 74%105 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%142 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Berry Creek, California - unidentified case UP13006
    John Doe — Berry Creek, California
    UP13006 • Found Nov 28, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 38 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%65 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Virgil Eugene Bonham Jr., 38, was last seen on November 5, 1978, after going boating on Folsom Lake... ...Read More
    07/25/2024

    Other Missing Cases from Folsom Lake, California

    Arnold Tittel missing person case in Folsom Lake, California

    Arnold Tittel

    Missing: Nov 5, 1978
    Arnold Tittel, age 39, went missing on November 5, 1978, during a boating trip at Folsom Lake ...Read More