Carl Steven Sanders, age 48, biracial (White/Native American) male, was last seen July 7, 2002, in Big Smoky Valley, Lander County, Nevada. He stood 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighed 230 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, and possibly a mustache. Last seen wearing a gold wedding band and later found items: shirt, cutoff shorts, one sandal.
While sightseeing east of Highway 376 near Potts Springs with his wife, their SUV ran out of gas on a remote Forest Service road. The temperature was between 100-110°F, heat index significantly higher, the two had no water and the blackened ground reached 125°F.
The couple were separated ~3-4 miles after attempting to walk back for help. Carl's clothing being found may be suggestive of a heat related event (Disrobing common). His wife was located by a passing motorist, in a delirious state two days later. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital for emergency care. A search conducted of the area found no trace of Carl and he hasn't been seen or heard from since.
