On November 29, 2020, Ian Wilson Gooldy, a 45-year-old father from Kennewick, Washington, disappeared near the Marina Banderas hotel in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. He had traveled to Mexico for a short-term job opportunity just before Thanksgiving of that year. Gooldy was in contact with his family in the United States over the holiday weekend, but the communication abruptly stopped on that Sunday. In his last conversation with his family, he sounded scared and desperate.
Prior to his disappearance, Gooldy had been staying at a friend's condominium in Nuevo Vallarta and had checked into the Marina Banderas hotel on November 27, 2020.
The days leading up to Ian Gooldy's disappearance were fraught with anxiety. He had informed his father that his apartment had been broken into and his passport and wallet were stolen. This left him feeling unsafe, and he moved to a hotel without telling anyone his location. His family recalls a series of increasingly distressed phone calls from him. In his final communication, he mentioned he was on his way to meet someone who was supposed to help him recover his stolen belongings. Shortly after their last conversation, his father received a 'thumbs up' emoji from his son's phone, which was uncharacteristic of him, followed by a map pinpointing the phone's location. When his family repeatedly called the phone, a stranger who spoke Spanish eventually answered, stating the phone had been found on a trail by a stream.
The investigation into Ian Gooldy's disappearance has been challenging for his family, who have faced difficulties in getting information and assistance from both U.S. and Mexican authorities. They were advised by the U.S. Consulate that people don't go missing in Puerto Vallarta unless they want to, a theory the family vehemently rejects given his close relationship with his son and his regular communication with them. To navigate the local legal system, they had to hire a Mexican attorney to even file a police report. Despite their persistent efforts, which include making numerous phone calls, visiting the area, and using social media to raise awareness, they feel they are no closer to knowing what happened to him. The case remains an unsolved and distressing mystery, leaving his loved ones in a painful state of uncertainty as they continue their search for answers.Last Seen: Nov 29, 2020
