Missing 411: People are vanishing without a trace.

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In the wake of the long-awaited release of David Paulides' new documentary "Missing 411: The Hunted", it has come to my attention that almost no one in my social circle knows anything at all about this strange, creepy phenomenon. 'Missing 411' as a topic is discussed worldwide, and has caught the attention of those particularly interested in the paranormal and extraordinary. While there is no evidence to suggest that anything paranormal is occurring here, it hasn't stopped people from speculating and presenting some bewildering and perplexing theories.
My intention by writing this is to bring this issue to the attention of others.

What is 'Missing 411'?

"Missing 411' is a series of books written by the man who coined the term, David Paulides. There is debate as to whether '411' refers to the number of cases Paulides has documented, or whether it simply refers to a US information phone number.

'Missing 411' refers to Paulides project of documenting unsolved cases of people who have gone missing in national parks and elsewhere, seemingly without a trace. People have gone missing while travelling both by themselves and also when travelling in a group. Others members of such groups have explained that one minute a person was there, and next they had simply vanished like they had been lifted from the area. There are no signs of struggle, and no indication as to where they could have gone. Friends and relatives of those missing have also said that wandering off or deciding to go alone is extremely out of character. In addition, when, or if, these missing people are found, they are often miles away, in perfect health, yet usually missing items of clothing.

If this wasn't strange enough, there are more elements that make these cases stand out from other disappearance cases. Paulides believes that these disappearances defy logical and conventional explanations. He rules out any cases where there is clear evidence of: animal predation; mental health issues / suicidal intent; a crime; a drowning, or where the person deliberately wanted to walk away from their life.

Clusters of missing people in national parks in the US.

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Some common 'Missing 411' case themes

• Most of the missing people who are eventually found are often found without shoes. In some cases, the shoes are found elsewhere, perhaps miles away, or on high ground that would be impossible for the missing person to reach. The person's bare feet also seem to be clean / have minimal wear on them, which is highly unlikely due to the terrain of national parks.
• With those who are found, they usually cannot remember a single thing about the event. Children, however, have been known to recall strange details, particularly referring to animals that have fed them berries.
• The missing people are often found in places that are difficult, if not impossible, to reach by foot. I recall a case where a toddler was found on a steep cliff face, something that would have been impossible for the toddler to perform themselves.
• Time becomes lapsed in most cases. For example, a child may be found tens of miles away after disappearing for just a few hours. 
• The missing are found in areas that Search and Rescue teams and relatives etc have searched multiple times.
• The missing are found to be in near perfect health. Children have been found weeks after going missing, yet do not appear malnourished, tired or unclean.
• The majority of the time, tracks are not found. Search and Rescue dogs also are rarely able to pick up a scent.
• Bad weather occurs days after the initial disappearance, which can halt the investigation for days or even weeks, ultimately reducing any potential evidence.
• If an individual is found deceased, the cause of death is almost never determined.

Other elements that are important to note:

• Paulides has requested to view disappearance files for various missing persons, only to be rejected. These are standard requests that should not be denied due to the Freedom of Information Act. He has also been questioned as to why he needs the information.
• People from all walks of life have disappeared, including experienced, professional hikers. People with disabilities have also disappeared, and have, surprisingly, been found miles away in perfect health. 
• Searches have been closed after a week or a few days after the initial disappearance, despite the fact it is possible that the missing person could still be alive at this point.
• Sometimes FBI agents arrive at the scene, despite this not being a usual occurrence in other missing person cases.

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While terrifying, these cases are incredibly interesting.

The majority of these cases are still unsolved, and many people remain missing.

There is a wealth of information online about this phenomenon. In particular, if you would like to find out more about the 'Missing 411' cases, I would suggest visiting:

• Reddit: r/Missing 411 
• Reddit: r/UnresolvedMysteries (search 'missing 411')
• David Paulides' interviews on YouTube
• David Paulides' books about 'Missing 411' (Amazon UK)
• 'CANAM Missing Project' website

There are also many YoutTube videos that discuss various 'Missing 411' cases. I particularly recommend these:

STRANGE Disappearances and FBI Involvement (Top Mysteries)

5 Unsolved Disappearances & Deaths That Took Place in National Parks (Top5s)

The Unsettling National Park Disappearance Problem | Missing 411 Documentary (Top5s)

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You can purchase 'Missing 411: The Hunted' through Amazon and iTunes. 

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