The Scarecast Files #12: The Disappearance of David Gonzales

Update: 2024-06-03

Digest

On July 31, 2004, 9-year-old David Gonzales disappeared while on a camping trip with his family in Big Bear Lake. David's mother briefly looked away from him while he walked to the family's truck to grab cookies, and when she looked back, he was gone. Despite a 9-day search and interviews with local sex offenders and campers, no signs of an abduction were found. A year later, hikers discovered skeletal remains belonging to David roughly a mile from the campground. Authorities initially attributed his death to a mountain lion attack, citing sightings of the animal in the area and the scattered nature of the remains. However, a forensic examination revealed no evidence of a mountain lion attack, and the remains showed signs of scavenging by coyotes. This led to two remaining theories: abduction homicide or David getting lost in the woods. The case remains unsolved, with many unanswered questions and criticism of the police investigation. The story serves as a reminder to always be aware of your surroundings and keep a close eye on children.

Outlines

00:00:00

David Gonzales' Disappearance

This Chapter details the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of 9-year-old David Gonzales during a family camping trip in Big Bear Lake on July 31, 2004. David's mother briefly looked away from him while he walked to the family's truck to grab cookies, and when she looked back, he was gone. Despite a 9-day search and interviews with local sex offenders and campers, no signs of an abduction were found.

00:02:23

Discovery of Remains

This Chapter discusses the discovery of skeletal remains belonging to David Gonzales a year after his disappearance. Hikers found the remains roughly a mile from the campground, raising questions about the thoroughness of the initial search. Through dental records and DNA, the remains were confirmed to be David's.

00:03:03

Mountain Lion Theory and Its Debunking

This Chapter explores the initial theory that David's death was caused by a mountain lion attack. Authorities cited sightings of the animal in the area and the scattered nature of the remains as evidence. However, a forensic examination revealed no evidence of a mountain lion attack, and the remains showed signs of scavenging by coyotes. This led to the theory being debunked.

00:06:06

Remaining Theories and Unanswered Questions

This Chapter discusses the two remaining theories regarding David's death: abduction homicide or David getting lost in the woods. The case remains unsolved, with many unanswered questions and criticism of the police investigation. The story serves as a reminder to always be aware of your surroundings and keep a close eye on children.

Keywords

David Gonzales

David Gonzales was a 9-year-old boy who disappeared and was later found dead during a family camping trip in Big Bear Lake, California, on July 31, 2004. His disappearance and death remain a mystery, with no definitive cause of death determined. The case has been widely publicized and continues to generate interest and speculation.

Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake is a popular tourist destination located in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. It is known for its scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and proximity to Los Angeles. The lake is a popular spot for camping, fishing, boating, and hiking. The disappearance and death of David Gonzales in the area in 2004 brought significant attention to the lake and its surrounding wilderness.

Mountain Lion

Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are large wild cats native to the Americas. They are solitary, elusive predators that inhabit a wide range of habitats, including forests, mountains, and deserts. Mountain lions are known for their powerful build, sharp claws, and stealthy hunting techniques. In the case of David Gonzales, authorities initially suspected a mountain lion attack, but this theory was later debunked.

Abduction

Abduction is the act of taking someone away by force or deception. It can be a crime motivated by various factors, including kidnapping for ransom, sexual assault, or other malicious intent. In the case of David Gonzales, the possibility of abduction was investigated, but no evidence was found to support this theory.

Unsolved Mystery

An unsolved mystery is a case or event that has not been fully explained or resolved. These cases often involve missing persons, unexplained deaths, or other unusual occurrences that defy easy explanation. The disappearance and death of David Gonzales remains an unsolved mystery, with no definitive cause of death determined.

Q&A

What are the main theories surrounding David Gonzales' death?
The main theories surrounding David Gonzales' death are abduction homicide and David getting lost in the woods and suffering fatal injuries. The initial theory of a mountain lion attack was debunked due to lack of evidence.
Why was the mountain lion theory initially considered?
The mountain lion theory was initially considered due to sightings of the animal in the area, the scattered nature of David's remains, and the detection of a mountain lion scent in the campground. However, a forensic examination revealed no evidence of a mountain lion attack.
What criticism has been directed at the police investigation?
Many people have criticized the police for not taking the case seriously, citing unanswered questions and a lack of focus on certain leads, such as the beige truck driver seen at the time of David's disappearance.
What is the significance of David Gonzales' case?
David Gonzales' case serves as a reminder to always be aware of your surroundings and keep a close eye on children. It highlights the potential for tragedy to occur quickly and unexpectedly, even in seemingly safe environments.

Show Notes

In this Scarecast Files episode, we delve into the mysterious disappearance and tragic death of 9-year-old David Gonzales. On the morning of July 31st, 2004, during a camping trip at Big Bear Lake, David vanished without a trace while attempting to retrieve a box of cookies from the family truck just 50 yards away from the Big Bear campground. Despite a massive search effort, David's remains was only discovered a year later, raising more questions than answers. Was it a mountain lion attack, a kidnapping, or something more sinister? Join us as we explore the theories, the investigation, and the unanswered questions surrounding this heartbreaking case. Tune in to unravel the mystery and pay tribute to David's memory.

Old Chair Photography Lab Location (David's Memorial Accross Street - Unconfirmed): 39185 N Shore Dr, Fawnskin, CA 92333

Instagram Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7Xs6TjP76x/

Instagram Comments Mentioned:

@camelia1506 - Just terrible but glad that his remains were found to help parents have closure with their son. Otherwise parents would be still looking for him. Rip little angel.

@cesar_chingon_number_1 - I was just a little kid still when this happened. And strangely to this day i think alot about this little boys missing case. A few years ago i took my jeep to big bear and several times after that one day after wheeling i was airing up my tires , i looked over and there he was. His smiling face just as i remembered seeing him on tv. Its a memorial plaque located across the street from old chair photography lab in fawnskin Ca. If you ever go there please be respectful and say a prayer for little David. May he rest in peace. We may never know the truth of what happened to him.

@jessneedsaninstaa - ight ?! I have a 9 year old as well and I am so paranoid I won’t let her walk to the mailbox without her holding one of our dogs and me and the other dogs watching from the door!! You never know who is lurking, or who is even living next door or across the street. Always be aware and alert !!!

@mikeperrry620 - Kids go outside and play all the time without parents watching. It's ridiculous to blame the mom, the car was only fifty feet away.

@noddika - I knew him, he was a twin. His mom used to make dresses for me when I was little. Last time I saw him he was jumping on the bed with his brother while we picked up one of my dresses. It was so terrible when we heard what happened. Be kind in the comments, the family went through a lot. 🤍

Sources

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-03-me-bones3-story.html

https://www.espn.com/outdoors/hunting/news/story?id=2075458

https://mountainlion.org/2005/06/03/lion-attack-theory-abandoned/

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=124433&page=1

https://www.recordnet.com/story/news/2004/08/06/search-goes-on-for-missing/50697700007/

Connect With Me

Make sure to follow @thescarecast on both TikTok and Instagram for thrilling content.

https://www.instagram.com/thescarecast/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thescarecast?lang=en

Subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@scarecast and stay updated with my latest videos.

For any story requests, concerns, or advertising inquiries, feel free to reach out to me via email at mike@thescarecast.com.