Missing Since: 1988-01-25 Location: Santa Cruz, California
La Valley was last seen at his residence in the 400 block of Midway Ranch Road in Boulder Creek, California on January 25, 1988. He lived there with two friends. He has never been heard from again. His roommates provided several different stories as to what had happened to him. At one point they said he’d been abducted and murdered by “biker types”, a story one of them later characterized as just a “bad dream.” Another another time they said he had moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, a story that turned out to be false. His roommates told police that La Valley had been using cocaine and marijuana regularly and that he was involved in small-time burglaries. His father knew La Valley smoked marijuana, but says it was for medicinal purposes. La Valley was reportedly involved in a small marijuana trafficking operation at the time of his disappearance, and may have had knowledge of an arson fire in Santa Cruz, California that destroyed five businesses, including one owned by one of his roommates. Before he went missing, his family had seen him with large amounts of cash which he refused to account for. He’s considered missing under suspicious circumstances and foul play is suspected in his case. Investigating Agency Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office 831-454-2242 Source Information California Attorney General’s Office The Santa Cruz Sentinel The Missing Children Center of Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay Area Pinterest Account for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Updated 4 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated March 14, 2019; name, distinguishing characteristics and details of disappearance updated.