10 Cases of Teenagers Who Mysteriously Disappeared

1. Russell Bohling

Russell Bohling, born 29th December 1991 to Roger and Christine Bohling, was an 18-years-old
student from Hull, England who mysteriously disappeared on the morning of 2 nd March 2010. Russell
had left his home that morning to attend college although it is not confirmed if he actually attended
college that day. Later in the evening, his abandoned car was seen by a worker returning home and
also the next morning, left with a paid ticket for full-day parking. [http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-
england-humber-12607803]

Initial searches ranged from search of the nearby RAF bunkers, Bempton Cliffs which was a known
suicide spot, the sea and even Bohling holiday home in North Yorkshire. The Bohling family criticised
for the investigation not being handled well and two years later, Russell’s training shoes were found
at the holiday home, which the Bohlings were convinced he had been wearing that day.
[http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9599411.Parents__plea_to_police_in_hunt_for_missing_studen
t/]

3 days prior to the disappearance, Russell had left home to go somewhere without informing his
family. It was revealed later that he had visited York, Bradford and Bridlington which the police were
interested in but nothing came out of the investigation. Russell had used the RAF Bempton website
on the morning he disappeared and it was later revealed by Russell’s father that his son had been
interested in the erotic and satanic artwork that had been left on the bunker walls by a cult in the
1970s, well after the bunker had been closed. Information on the drawings was on an USB stick that
was never found. [http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/family-give-up-hope-of-finding-missing-
student-1-5463103]

It has been over 7 years since Russell Bohling disappeared and there has yet to be any conclusive
result to the searches. The Bohling family believe a third party may be involved in his disappearance
and he may have been murdered over £300,000 inheritance. Russell Bohling turns 26 this year.
[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1269547/Parents-vanished-teenage-student-fear-
murdered-300-000-inheritance.html]

2. Joe Pichler

Joe Pichler was born Joseph David Wolfgang Pichler on 14 th February 1987 as fourth out of five
children. At the age of six, Joe started acting in Los Angeles and has been in several commercials and
television shows, as well as movies such as the Beethoven series. He returned to his hometown,
initially unhappy but looking forward to move to California to restart his acting career once his
braces were removed. Prior to his disappearance, he wrote poetry regarding his depression and had
also wished he could be a stronger brother to his younger brother.
[http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/p/pichler_joseph.html]

Initially, it was believed that Joe may have taken his life but there has been no hard evidence. The
last sighting of Joe was on 5th January 2006 by his friends who claim him to be in good spirits that
evening. However, just a few days later on 9 th January, his abandoned car was found at an
interaction of Wheaton Way and Sheridan Road. His family officially reported him on 16 th January. It
has been over 11 years since he disappeared and there has been no sign of Joe, who turned 30 this
year. [http://www.newson6.com/story/7638607/former-child-movie-actor-joe-pichler-missing-
suicidal-note-found-was-in-beethoven-comedies]

3. Brianna Maitland

Born 8th October 1986, Brianna Maitland moved out of her parents’ home when she turned 17 for
independence but struggled with her living arrangements which ultimately led her to move in with a
friend, Jillian Stout. Brianna was last seen by her co-workers at Black Lantern Inn in Montgomery,
Vermont between 11:20PM and midnight of March 19 th, telling them that she was tired and wanted
to rest before her second job in the morning. All witnesses report her leaving in her car.

The morning, Brianna’s abandoned car was found backed into a deserted house. The trooper
believed it to be left by a drunk driver and towed it away. It took days for a police report to be
officially filed. Sceptical that foul play was involved; police believed Brianna had actually run away.
However, later investigations revealed that foul play was a probable case of Brianna’s
disappearance. [http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/m/maitland_brianna.html]

Prior to her disappearance, Brianna was involved in a physical fight with an acquaintance, Kaellie
Lacross, but Lacross was cleared of any involvement in the disappearance. The day Brianna
disappeared, Brianna was with her mother when she suddenly left briefly whilst they were shopping
and when she returned, she seemed shaken and agitated. Despite a few tips and leads, the police
were unable to follow through. It has been over 13 years since Brianna disappeared. Brianna
Maitland turned 31 this year. [https://vtdigger.org/2017/03/17/13-year-anniversary-disappearance-
brianna-maitland/]

4. Kristin Smart

Kristin Smart, born 20th February 1977, was a 19-year-old student of California Polytechnic State
University who was last seen on 25th May 1996. Kristin and her friends had attended a birthday party
and she was found drunk by fellow-students at around 2:00AM. Cheryl Anderson and Tim Davis
decided to help her walk back to her dormitory and were joined by Paul Flores. The former two left
for their dorms first and Paul Flores was asked to lead Kristin to her dorm. Paul informed the police
that he and Kristin separated ways before their dorms as his dorm came before hers and let go on
alone.

Police were suspicious of Paul Flores as he was seen with a black eye later on 25 th May and
reportedly told several different accounts as to how he got the black-eye, although one friend
claimed that Paul told him that he didn’t know where he got it and ‘just woke up with it’. Paul soon
dropped out of university and moved his belongings before the official search by police. Currently
Paul is the prime and only suspect of the disappearance but due to lack of evidence, he cannot be
charged. It has now been 21 years since Kristin Smart disappeared and Kristin was declared legally
dead on 25th May 2002. However, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Office still reviews the case
regularly and FBI has her as a high priority missing person investigation.
[http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/s/smart_kristin.html]

5. Diane Suzuki

Diane Suzuki, born 1966, was a 19-year-old Hawaiian of Japanese descent who was a student at the
University of Hawaii and worked as a dance instructor for children at Rosalie Woodson Institute of
Dance. It was outside this institute that Diane was seen last, on 6 th July 1985 at 15:00, and there have
been no sign of her since. Her belongings were left at the dance studio and found by her friend when
they came looking for Diane. It was originally suspected that Diane’s disappearance was linked with
the Honolulu Strangler; however, the case did not fit the profile.

After discovering blood in the bathroom of the dance studio, foul play is suspected and the suspects
include a photographer, Dewey Hamasaki, at the studio who was known to have feelings for Diane.
Dewey was brought for questioning as he had been seen carrying a large trunk out of the studio and
onto a vehicle with the help of his father and sister. He was also noted having scratches that he
claimed to have gotten from a rooster. He failed the polygraph test but was never charged due to
lack of evidence. Dewey’s father was also reportedly agitated when police came to investigate the
house. [http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/s/suzuki_diane.html]

The case was reopened in 1993 but remains unsolved. Both of Diane’s parents have passed away,
without knowing the fate of their daughter.

6. Christopher Kerze

Born 19th February 1973, Christopher Kerze was only 17-years-old when he was last seen by his
family after he stayed back home on 20 th April 1990, claiming that he was sick and couldn’t go to
school. However, when his family returned home later that day, they found Christopher and the
family vehicle gone, with only a note left behind that said: Mom, Something important came up +
feeling somewhat better. Back by six. (Unless I get lost.) Love, Chris. The word lost was underlined
twice. [http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/k/kerze_christopher.html]

However, Christopher never came back and has never had any contact with his family ever since.
$200 was withdrawn from his account that day. The next day, his family received a handwritten note
informing them that Christopher lied about his sickness to go away ‘to not even I know where’. The
letter said that Christopher planned to commit suicide and apologised to his family for hurting them.
[http://www.citypages.com/news/christopher-kerze-said-hed-be-home-by-6-oclock-that-was-in-
1990/399329331]

The family car was found abandoned in Itasca Country, Northern Minnesota near the George
Washington State Forest and the Chippewa National Forest. Despite extensive searches around the
areas, there was no trace or sign of Christopher. His family still live in the same house and has the
same number, hoping that Christopher would one day return. It has been over 27 years since he was
last seen. [http://www.kare11.com/news/local/family-hopes-to-find-missing-son-after-26-
years/356922402]

7. Jeremy Bright

On 14th August 1986, Jeremy Bright, then 14-years-old, and his little sister and a group of friends
went together to attend the Coos County Fair in Myrtle Point, Oregon. On 2:00PM, Jeremy separated
from his sister after agreeing to meet near the Ferris wheel at 5:00PM. That was the last time his
sister saw him and nothing of Jeremy has been heard since.

Jeremy’s mother, Diane, came to pick up Jeremy and his sister from their stepfather’s the following
day but only found Jeremy’s wallet, watch and keys left behind while he was nowhere to be found.
When Diane was unable to find Jeremy anywhere, she contacted the police, who initially believed
that Jeremy ran away with the travelling carnival.
[http://blog.oregonlive.com/nwheadlines/2007/07/jeremy_bright_then_14_disappea.html]

Over the years, many theories and tips have been received by the authorities. Some claimed that
Jeremy went to a party and accidently overdosed on an illegal drug while another claims that Jeremy
was accidently shot and succumbed to his wounds despite the shooters trying to nurse him back to
health in a deserted cabin and was buried in a shallow grave. Both were investigated but there has
been no sign of Jeremy. The main suspect is a former babysitter of Jeremy, Terry Lee Steinhoff who
was reportedly seen with Jeremy that day in a truck. Two years after Jeremy’s disappearance,
Steinhoff pleaded guilty to murder of a woman and was sentenced to life, where he died in 2007.
[http://theworldlink.com/news/local/investigators-still-search-for-answers-almost-years-after-
jeremy-bright/article_92647bc2-e8e3-11e3-abb3-0019bb2963f4.html]

8. Susan Smalley and Stacie Madison

Susan Smalley and Stacie Madison are two 18-year-old friends from Carrollton, Texas who
mysteriously disappeared on the morning of 20 th Match 1988. The two girls were seen multiple times
throughout the day but the last time they were seen were around midnight. The following day, they
were reported as missing and their car was found abandoned with their belongings left inside. It was
originally speculated that the girls had run away together.

Stacie’s boyfriend, Kevin R. Elrod, was reported by a female that Kevin confessed that he had killed
Stacie and Susan and buried them away in a cemetery. However, no trace was found of the two was
found. Kevin denied the confession and passed the polygraph test before moving out of the state
and changing his name. Over 29 years have passed and there have been no developments in the
case as it remains unsolved. [http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/m/madison_stacie.html]

9. Alan Addis
Alan Addis, born 14th July 1961, is a British serviceman who was serving with Royal Marines in
Falkland Islands as a member of Naval Party 8901 and was 19-years-old when he disappeared
mysteriously while visiting the remote settlement of North Arm in Lafonia, East Falkland with his
five-man unit. He was last seen at 1:30AM by his colleagues. He was not known to be missing until
the rest of the team had begun their journey to Stanley, 140km away.

It was initially believed that he accidently fell overboard and drowned. Over the next few weeks, it
was speculated that he may have succumbed to hypothermia but Alan’s mother continued to
pressure the military into investigation. After the Falklands War, police files were destroyed but
another investigation was opened on Mrs Addis’ pressure in 1993. Four local islanders were
identified as prime suspects as police concluded it as murder but the men were released without
charges. One witness was allegedly murdered before he could provide the police with evidence two
weeks after Alan’s disappearance. The case has remained unsolved for over 37 years.
[https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-110825618.html]

10. Martin Allen

Second child in his family, Martin Allen was only 15 years old when he mysteriously disappeared on
5th November 1979 and no sign of Martin has ever been found since. That fateful day, Allen had
planned to visit his older brother, Bob, and needed money to take the London Underground. He
separated from his friends on King’s Cross station around 3:50PM, saying his goodbyes as this turned
out to be the last sighting of Martin. Originally assuming that Martin stayed with Bob, their family
did not suspect anything, but when Martin did not return until 7PM, Eileen Allen called Bob, who
informed Martin was not with him. After several calls to Martin’s friends, none of them had seen
him, the Allen family contacted the police.

A wide-spread police operation was launched during which a witness reported seeing a boy
matching Martin’s description with a blond-haired man, aged around 30, on Gloucester Road
underground station. The boy reportedly appeared nervous and distressed and man was overheard
telling him not to run as they exited the train. In 2012, Martin’s brother Kevin received a phone call
from a man who claimed that Martin was abducted by a paedophile ring operated by a group
including politicians, business people and a royal connection. This lead to a re-investigation of the
Elm Guest House child abuse scandal as it was suspected that Martin was one of the three boys who
were murdered. [https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/martin-allen-mystery-how-case-
of-london-teenager-missing-for-35-years-could-be-linked-to-the-elm-10249285.html]

It has been over 37 years since Martin has disappeared and there have been no official suspects nor
any trace of where Martin disappeared to.