Full Name: Paul Robert Hibbard

Alternative Name: Max

Case Status: Missing

Record ID#: 0051

*The names “Jane Doe”  and “John Doe” are English names used when the person’s true name is not known. If used above, the name refers to a person of unknown identity.

Date of Birth*: 1951
Birthplace:
Age at the Time: 25
Age Group: 20s
Biological Sex: Male
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Skin Complexion:
Shoe Size:
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Nationality: United States
Languages Spoken: English

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Physical Build:

Height:

Weight

Distinguishing Marks:

• Beard
• Mustache

Medical Condition: Unknown
Physical Abnormality: Unknown
Dental Condition: Unknown
Scars & Other Marks: Appendectomy Scar on Abdomen
Piercings: Unknown
Tattoos: Unknown

Other Descriptors: Unknown

Clothing

• Unknown

Possessions:

• Unknown

Date of the Disappearance*: May 28, 1976

Description: 

Paul R. Hibbard, a geologist from Mead, Colorado, who had worked for Berge Exploration for two years, disappeared on May 28, 1976, while on a routine geological exploration trip in Gillette, Wyoming. A week prior, Hibbard had received a suspicious phone call from someone claiming to work for his employer, asking him to bring his specialized vehicle and equipment to the Gillette area. The van, which was used to locate mineral deposits like uranium and oil shale, contained $30,000 worth of radioactive materials. Hibbard suspected the call was a hoax, and after confirming with his boss, he ignored the request. Despite his doubts, he still traveled to Gillette with the van on May 28, where he was last seen.

When Hibbard disappeared, his boss feared that he had been abducted to work for an illegal geological exploration operation, as his expertise and the van’s valuable equipment could have been exploited by criminals. A month later, in July, police found approximately $9,700 worth of Hibbard’s stolen equipment in the hands of Joseph O. Dowdy, a resident of Upton, Wyoming, who had tried to sell the gear to his employer, Goodwell, Inc.  Dowdy also had in his possession a stolen flat-bed trailer worth around $2,600.  According to Dowdy, Hibbard took the truck and the remaining equipment and was going to Canada, but this seems highly unlikely.

On August 20, the police, acting on an anonymous tip, discovered Hibbard’s abandoned truck about three miles northwest of Upton, parked in a wooded area near water pits. Significant amounts of blood were found in the seat and on the floor of the vehicle.  It was tested by the FBI, but the technology available at the time could not determine if it belonged to Hibbard.  The license plates and “radioactive” signs that were originally on the outside of the vehicle had been removed and were found inside. Police later stated that most of the remaining equipment missing was also inside the vehicle.

Police drained a nearby water pit hoping to find Hibbard and searched some of the other surrounding pits.

Joseph Dowdy was arrested and later pled guilty to grand larceny for stealing the equipment, but he did not provide any solid information about Hibbard’s whereabouts. The case remains unsolved, with authorities suspecting foul play. The circumstances of Hibbard’s disappearance, combined with the discovery of his truck and the blood inside, have led investigators to believe that he may have been the victim of a criminal operation, but his fate remains unknown.

Multiple Victims?: No

Rumored or Actual Sightings:

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Date the Body was Recovered*:

Description: On August 20, the police, acting on an anonymous tip, discovered Hibbard’s abandoned truck about three miles northwest of Upton, parked in a wooded area near water pits. Significant amounts of blood were found in the seat and on the floor of the vehicle.  It was tested by the FBI, but the technology available at the time could not determine if it belonged to Hibbard.  The license plates and “radioactive” signs that were originally on the outside of the vehicle had been removed and were found inside. Police later stated that most of the remaining equipment missing was also inside the vehicle.

Possible Signs Of . . . :

Time of Death: Suspected between May 28 when he disappeared and August 20 when his vehicle was located.

Cause of Death:

Recovered Remains (if partial):

Suspected Homicide?: Yes

Multiple Victims?:

DNA Tested (No Match):

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Description: Tan 1976 Chevrolet Van or Minivan, Specialized Geological Panel Truck

License Plate: Colorado TF5194

Description: In July, police found approximately $9,700 worth of Hibbard’s stolen equipment in the hands of Joseph O. Dowdy, a resident of Upton, Wyoming, who had tried to sell the gear to his employer, Goodwell, Inc.  Dowdy also had in his possession a stolen flat-bed trailer worth around $2,600.  According to Dowdy, Hibbard took the truck and the remaining equipment and was going to Canada, but this seems highly unlikely.