Dennis Gibson was 30 when he was murdered on November 19, 1981. His body was found in rugged desert terrain of Odessa Canyon, west of Calico Ghost Town near Yermo, California, a location reached by two hikers. Gibson had been shot four times and bludgeoned to death; .22 caliber fired cartridge casings and a black wooden tire knocker were recovered at the scene.

It took three years to positively identify Gibson, during which his family did not know his whereabouts. He had told his sister he planned to tour the west coast and surf in Baja, California, but never made contact again. Detectives exhausted leads and the investigation ran cold until later forensic work linked the .22-caliber Ruger used in Gibson’s killing to other murders.

Anyone who knew Gibson, saw him in Southern California in late 1981, or has information about contacts he may have made while surfing is asked to come forward.