Karlie Gusé was a 16-year-old girl who disappeared on the morning of October 13, 2018, under mysterious circumstances. She had told her father and stepmother that she was attending a football game at her high school in Bishop, California.
However, instead of going to the game, Karlie attended a party where she smoked weed. Friends later reported that she had an adverse reaction to the drug, causing her to feel paranoid and anxious, fearing that she was being “tracked” via her phone.
Karlie eventually called her stepmother, Melissa, to come pick her up. Melissa found her about a mile from the party and drove her home, where Karlie continued to act strangely.
Melissa stayed with her in her bedroom until she accidentally fell asleep. When she woke up around 7 a.m., Karlie was gone.
Despite a two-hour search by Karlie’s parents, she was not found.
The FBI and local authorities were contacted, and a widespread search ensued. Eyewitnesses later reported seeing a girl resembling Karlie walking along a road that led to Highway 6. Cadaver dogs tracked her scent to Highway 6, but there was no further trace of her after that.
Several theories have emerged regarding Karlie’s disappearance. Some believe that Karlie may have been suffering from drug-induced delusions, possibly due to the marijuana she smoked or because of an underlying mental health issue.
There were also theories suggesting that the marijuana she smoked could have been laced with another substance, such as PCP or methamphetamine.
Others speculated that Karlie might have been trying to escape her home life, especially following claims made by her mother about potential issues at home.
In 2023, there was a possible breakthrough when someone matching Karlie’s description was spotted in Tonopah, Nevada, about 100 miles from her home.
Authorities also identified a vehicle that may have been involved in transporting her, but no further details, including DNA testing, have been released to the public.
