I found something I never wanted to find and what we all fear of finding.

[hothardrocks]

I was in the very far reaches of the Amargosa Desert prospecting out of my buggy in some very remote rugged country and there he was laying there in front of me and had been there since 1987. I reported it to the sheriff and guided them to his location. This was a few weeks ago and I wish one of the agencies would give news, work on the case or something. I hope they tell his family and friends.

Robert Lapergola

oag.ca.gov

 

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[pepperj]

If in fact it is Robert L.
Here are the recorded temperatures for when he went missing.
It makes a big difference if a person is climatized or not to the environment that they are in.
Anything over a 100F is pretty hot.

 

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[SeabeeRon]

I was in the very far reaches of the Amargosa Desert prospecting out of my buggy in some very remote rugged country and there he was laying there in front of me and had been there since 1987. I reported it to the sheriff and guided them to his location. This was a few weeks ago and I wish one of the agencies would give news, work on the case or something. I hope they tell his family and friends.

Robert Lapergola

oag.ca.gov

Have you heard back yet from the local authorities?

 

[hothardrocks]

Have you heard back yet from the local authorities?

No and I do not have much faith

 

[Ohiogoldfever]

What a horrible find. Hope the authority’s figure out he it is and can set the family’s minds at ease.

Why so many people get all bent about internet posts. Sheesh. Seems people have lost the ability to dislike things without letting everyone know about it.

While we’re at it ima tell you all about things I don’t like! Kidding, no one cares. Lol

 

[hothardrocks]

Maybe.
Nights could have been cool enough though.


Yes he was wearing it. By your description it seems similar to an Army field jacket. If not an actual field jacket.
Carried when temps are up it could be a light bedroll of sorts also. Even shade on a break.
In a dust storm it could help breathing by using it as a tent on upper body.

I'm not in a desert but wear long sleeves on some hot days.
(I wouldn't discard a jacket right away in a desert.)

Lost folks in the cold have demonstrated in some cases a confusion of sorts in which they shed vital clothing.

Your man was jacketed and at first seems could have died asleep.
But rough ground doesn't look comfy for reclining upon.
Did he go to ground in night's cooler temps? (jacket worn).
Forensics might tell more. The rough ground is off if a man wanted to rest briefly even. IF the pictures view is accurate and there's not a smooth rock free area there.

High ground near for observational /orientation vantage. Not where he ended up though.

Nice that you were considerate of his remains. Not that it matters to him any more.

You are right on the jacket use. I didn't take into account the cold nights. I have only ever been out in the morning and daytime. That area he was in was like a small hill with steep ravines on either side of him and his back was to the mountain sloping up. Everywhere in that area is covered in rocks. He was in about the smoothest place you could find for that immediate area. Also interesting to note he is just outside a series of mine lode claims that ran from 1981 - 1986. Was also within 4 or 5 miles of some ponds and where was he could also see trees and a historic farm house that still operates today. The thing about no boots, provisions or remnants of them is noteworthy and concerning.
Last summer I worked a few days on a treasure hunt out in the Mohave near Lake Mohave. It was 110 that day with 20 MPH wind gusts. You can only last a short time in weather like that. You don't sweat as the wind and heat wick the moisture right out of you preserving you slowly as you exist in that environment alive or not it does not care. It is beautiful to me in the far reaches and it gives me peace. I have learned a lot in the last few years about surviving and being safe out there. I often have to abandon prospecting for safety. I bring so much gear to keep myself alive and safe that I don't use most of the time. With that said for me to go on walk-about in Death Valley remote area for a week, I would need more water than I could carry let alone the food.

 

[RobNC]

No and I do not have much faith

I don't think they give a shite at this point. From what I've seen and read I get the feeling the fella was a bit of a rough character. Wonder if he had a criminal record? I still feel foul play is involved. And if so, they didn't even give the man a proper burial. The reluctance of the local "authorities" to do anything is a red flag also. Either pure laziness or they already know what happened and just want the whole thing to stay tucked away.

You'd think they would be more interested in knowing what happened to the man regardless. In a way it is sort of sad. They didn't seem to care when he went missing and here we are some years later and they still don't care. Perhaps the SBI or FBI should be notified about the man's remains being found. Maybe that way they would do some sort of investigation and have his remains tested.
Just goes to show, once we're gone people forget us pretty quick. Their mouth can say one thing but their actions show the true nature of them.
I know you caught some flack about showing the picture. However, I feel you did that out of desperation trying to get this deceased man some attention in an attempt to figure out what happened to him. It doesn't appear anyone else cares. You've probably done more for him in death than most ever did for him in life.

 

[hothardrocks]

I don't think they give a shite at this point. From what I've seen and read I get the feeling the fella was a bit of a rough character. Wonder if he had a criminal record?

You'd think they would be more interested in knowing what happened to the man regardless. In a way it is sort of sad. They didn't seem to care when he went missing and here we are some years later and they still don't care. Perhaps the SBI or FBI should be notified about the man's remains being found. Maybe that way they would do some sort of investigation and have his remains tested.
Just goes to show, once we're gone people forget us pretty quick. Their mouth can say one thing but their actions show the true nature of them.
I know you caught some flack about showing the picture. However, I feel you did that out of desperation trying to get this deceased man some attention in an attempt to figure out what happened to him. It doesn't appear anyone else cares. You've probably done more for him in death than most ever did for him in life.

Thanks Rob, I agree you would think someone would care. I waited weeks before I said anything and The NYE county sheriffs I guided on to a GPS mark was such a joke in their incompetence. It was truly sad. I almost had to go out there and point for them. Why should I expect excellence from them going forward. So, I gave info to the hosting county Nye, NV and I informed Inyo county, CA where he was listed missing and asked them to coordinate and confirm. I suspect I wasted my time and that's fine. My conscious is clear. See this is not the first group I reached out to. I was not believed until pictures were produced. So, this time I figured I would avoid any attention of disbelief. For those that did not approve and disagreed with what I did also did not live what I have been living and if even one of his friends or family can find out no matter how I would call that a good thing. I hope someone finds this and I hope it brings peace to someone who misses him regardless who does not approve on the internet.

 

[Gare]

I bet you have more pictures of him ?

 

[hothardrocks]

I bet you have more pictures of him ?

Yes, of course I do. I shared them with the authorities on their special number they opened to communicate with me on this case. I would not want to be disrespectful to him nor harm the vulnerable any further.

 

[DizzyDigger]

Hothard, I'm sure you've seen this, but it is some add'l info on Lapergola for the site members:

Missing Person / NamUs #MP23008

View NamUs missing person case MP23008 for Robert Joel LaPergola, Jr. missing from Death Valley, California. Date of last contact: Apr 26, 1987. NCMEC case number: --.

namus.nij.ojp.gov

What has me scratching my head is why he would start a week-long hike at a spot so far removed from any resources. For a person hiking on foot in that country they'll need almost a gallon a day, and IF he had packed three gallons (about 25 lb.) it might have lasted him four days, at best. Don't even know if he had a backpack.

Also, records show that it was 106ºF that day, and it stayed hot for another four days. Nobody with half a brain is going to go "hiking" in that kind of weather, let alone for several days. It's one thing to work on your survival skills, but being a complete idiot about it is a whole different game.

I spent a lot of time in the area between Death Valley, Beatty and Goldfield back in the early 80's, and I'm sure many prospecting members have also been in that area, as well. It's no place for the faint-hearted and unprepared..in winter or summer.

If the temp. is dropping back into the high 70's at night, it would feel cooler, but worthy of a heavy jacket? Not from my experience.

Didn't see it in the thread, and am wondering how far (roughly) was his body from where he was dropped off?

Don't know if they'll ever find out, now, but my guess is somebody is lying.

 

[DizzyDigger]

Also, you mention the green army jacket. Was that beside him or near the body? He was laying on it, maybe?

It can blow like holy hell in that area, and if he had laid it down beside where his body was, I can't imagine it not being blown away some distance.

 

[hothardrocks]

Hothard, I'm sure you've seen this, but it is some add'l info on Lapergola for the site members:

Missing Person / NamUs #MP23008

View NamUs missing person case MP23008 for Robert Joel LaPergola, Jr. missing from Death Valley, California. Date of last contact: Apr 26, 1987. NCMEC case number: --.

namus.nij.ojp.gov

What has me scratching my head is why he would start a week-long hike at a spot so far removed from any resources. For a person hiking on foot in that country they'll need almost a gallon a day, and IF he had packed three gallons (about 25 lb.) it might have lasted him four days, at best. Don't even know if he had a backpack.

Also, records show that it was 106ºF that day, and it stayed hot for another four days. Nobody with half a brain is going to go "hiking" in that kind of weather, let alone for several days. It's one thing to work on your survival skills, but being a complete idiot about it is a whole different game.

I spent a lot of time in the area between Death Valley, Beatty and Goldfield back in the early 80's, and I'm sure many prospecting members have also been in that area, as well. It's no place for the faint-hearted and unprepared..in winter or summer.

If the temp. is dropping back into the high 70's at night, it would feel cooler, but worthy of a heavy jacket? Not from my experience.

Didn't see it in the thread, and am wondering how far (roughly) was his body from where he was dropped off?

Don't know if they'll ever find out, now, but my guess is somebody is lying.

I completely agree and I carry double the water and ice I think I may need when I am out of the buggy. I drop GPS pins to my family where I park and where I intend to go and take every precaution I can because there is always that chance you could be left hiking many miles with no service. The other day I took 6 water bottles and 2 gallon jugs for less than 2 hours and it only reached 90.
I never did learn from where he was dropped off. I would like to know. I wondered if it was at or near the Death Valley Junction where the old Opera house is or from toward the Funeral mountains which is closer to Death Valley. There is also the possibility of a meeting spot at the Longstreet Hotel and Casino.Any way I cannot imagine the daunting task of hiking across Ash Meadows being self sustained in that kind of heat. From there to where he was is less than 15 miles but not something i would try even in my younger days with no real purpose. one thing that stands out to me is the missing boots. That alone would end you out there. What happened to them? Were they taken or abandoned?

 

[hothardrocks]

Also, you mention the green army jacket. Was that beside him or near the body? He was laying on it, maybe?

It can blow like holy hell in that area, and if he had laid it down beside where his body was, I can't imagine it not being blown away some distance.

That jacket was about 20' to the north of him hung up in a Cresote bush. The remnants of the tshirt was about 20' to the south of him.

 

[Timbermaster]

With utmost respect to the OP, my opinion is there is absolutely no way that body has laid intact, clothed, and undisturbed in that location for over 37 years. This is not Robert.

 

[hothardrocks]

With utmost respect to the OP, my opinion is there is absolutely no way that body has laid intact, clothed, and undisturbed in that location for over 37 years. This is not Robert.

Come on out. Lets do a pig experiment in that location.

 

[Timbermaster]

Come on out. Lets do a pig experiment in that location.

I wish I could my friend. Good luck in your adventures!

 

[Bucket Lister]

With utmost respect to the OP, my opinion is there is absolutely no way that body has laid intact, clothed, and undisturbed in that location for over 37 years. This is not Robert.

Not to mention all the desert rats with YT channels who've scoured every inch of the desert, and no-one's found this yet? 🤨

 

[DizzyDigger]

Not to mention all the desert rats with YT channels who've scoured every inch of the desert, and no-one's found this yet? 🤨

Had to look up what a "YT channel" was...guess I'm still in the dark ages.

There are a lot of weird/odd things that happen in the desert. Sand gets blown one way, then the other and suddenly something is uncovered.

Was hunting coyotes one time in that same region, and parked my truck on a faint 2-track, then walked straight across the desert for about a hundred yards to the rim of a wash. Sat down getting ready to start blowing a varmint call, and looked down to my left...there sat a shiny 1919 wheatie, looking like someone just dropped it. How the hell did it get there, in that condition?

Agreed..this whole body thing smells fishy. Hopefully the county's will work to find out more details.

 

[FAL guy]

What is the chance you can find the spot on Google Earth?....Looking back through older images might prove it isn't him if there isn't a body in that spot years back

 

[EnvoyToTheMolePeople]

Wow, I'm amazed this thread never got nuked. As much as it is a tragedy, I have to say I'm interested in seeing how the situation unfolds.