The Unsettling Disappearance of Boy Scout, Jared Negrete

In the summer of 1991, 12-year-old Jared Michael Negrete, a resident of San Bernardino County, California, set out on an adventure that would change his life forever.

An active Boy Scout, Jared joined 14 fellow scouts and their troop leader on a hike to the summit of Mount San Gorgonio — the tallest peak in Southern California, nestled within the vast expanse of the San Bernardino National Forest.

On July 19th, the group set out along the trail with high spirits, but the scorching sun quickly tested their endurance. Jared, who was on the heavier side and not as physically fit as some of his peers, began to struggle.

By 6pm, the group was roughly 1,000 feet from the summit when his fellow scouts noticed Jared falling behind. In an attempt to catch up, he began cutting across the switchbacks, prompting the others to warn him that the shortcut was dangerous and to stop.

With the summit almost within reach, the group pressed on, eager for a well-deserved rest. But upon reaching the top, they noticed something alarming: Jared was no longer behind them. Concerned, they immediately informed the scoutmaster.

The scoutmaster tried to reassure the boys, telling them not to worry and promising that he would make sure Jared caught up on the way back down the trail.

However, as the group began their descent, expecting to find Jared resting on a rock or taking a break, it quickly became clear that something was seriously wrong. Jared was nowhere to be found along the trail.

Realising the gravity of the situation, the scoutmaster led the other troops back to base camp before embarking on a gruelling 12-mile hike through the darkness to seek help.

In the hours that followed, sheriff deputies and search teams combed the area, aided by a helicopter. The search proved extremely challenging, as the terrain was rocky and densely covered with thick brush.

As news of the young boy’s disappearance spread, a Santa Ana firefighter came forward, claiming he had likely been the last person to see Jared. He explained that he had spotted Jared walking alone and cautioned him to stay on the marked trails and avoid straying from the path.

Within three days of the search, efforts focused on a six-square-mile area where a footprint believed to belong to Jared had been discovered. Searchers also found his backpack, containing empty candy wrappers and pieces of beef jerky—likely dropped by the missing boy during his ordeal.

Soon after, another crucial item was recovered: Jared’s disposable camera, found along Vivian Creek Trail at an elevation of 10,200 feet. The camera roll contained twelve photos taken on the day of his disappearance, mostly capturing the surrounding landscapes.

But the final image proved haunting. It appeared to be a self-portrait, taken with the camera held close to Jared’s face. Only his eyes and nose were visible, and the use of the flash suggested it had been taken at night. The eerie photograph left his family and loved ones deeply unsettled.

The most widely held theory was that Jared had lost his footing and slid down the mountainside. Yet, despite the efforts of more than 70 officers scouring the area, there was no sign of him.

In the following two weeks, the search expanded dramatically, with over 3,000 volunteers joining the effort. Despite the massive manpower and relentless combing of the terrain, no trace of Jared could be found.

Tragically, on August 4th—just 16 days after he was last seen—the search for Jared Negrete was officially called off. He was presumed dead, with authorities declaring his chances of survival “almost nil.”

Devastated, Jared’s family held a memorial service the following month, attended by over 500 people, including relatives and members of the local Mormon church, of which Jared and his family had been devoted members.

At the time of his disappearance, Jared had been wearing green Boy Scout pants, a tan t-shirt, and black high-top trainers.

Now, more than three decades later, the fate of Jared Negrete remains a mystery. Opinions differ on what may have happened: Did he lose his footing and fall? If so, why was no body ever found in the dense brush below? Could he have been attacked by a bear? There were no signs of blood or drag marks. Or was something more sinister at play—an abduction, perhaps?

As of 2025, Jared remains missing. If he were alive today, he would be 46 years old.