The Disappearance of Dane Elkins
21 year old Dane Elkins has been missing since December 21, 2020. His last known location was in the Grapevine area of Castaic, California, near the I-5 Freeway and Templin Highway.
Background
Dane Elkins was born in 1999 to parents Brett and Deborah. He grew up in Brentwood, California and attended Paul Revere Middle School and Palisades Charter High School.
Elkins holds 23 worldwide junior racquetball titles, and was featured in the LA Times and the May 28, 2017 issue of Sports Illustrated. He is the second person in USA Racquetball history to win all three number one gold divisions at the USA Racquetball National High School Championships.
He was also the 2017 National Paddleball Association Junior’s 18 and under National Champion, and holds a black belt in Taekwondo.
He is currently an engineering student at UC Santa Cruz.
Disappearance
Dane Elkins’ last known location was in the Grapevine area of Castaic, California, near the I-5 Freeway & Templin Highway at 8:20 pm on December 21, 2020. His car broke down due to flat tires, and he called 911 a few times, saying he wasn’t feeling well.
When authorities arrived on the scene they found his abandoned vehicle on the side of the road with flat tires, but Elkins was gone. His wallet and cellphone were left inside.
Authorities searched the area where his car was found for two days, and community members have been organizing search efforts in hopes of finding him.
Elkins was living with his parents at the time he went missing, and had told his family he was leaving to go live with friends. However, his friends say they haven’t seen or heard from him.
Whereabouts
Dane Elkins was spotted by several witnesses in the Oakdale/Modesto California area from July to September 2021, and told them he was headed to Oregon to find himself.
According to his family, Dane is suffering from mental illness and needs urgent care. His mother said she believes he was suffering from paranoia the last time she spoke with him, and that the COVID-19 pandemic may have taken a toll on his mental health.
She believes he could have hitchhiked or traveled to a number of locations, and she’s been attempting to get the word out in communities throughout Southern California, as well as in Kern County, to be on the lookout for her son.
His mother says Dane feels “at home” in Bakersfield, and a few homeless people believe they’ve seen seen him there, but the sightings have not been confirmed.
Family members are asking the public not to directly approach him, as he may leave the area. If you believe you have seen him please call 911.
Appearance
Elkins is a Caucasian male with brown hair and green eyes. He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Dane Elkins please contact the LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800, the LAPD 24/7 Hotline at (877) 527-3247 or the Tips Hotline at (800) 222-8477.
His missing persons case is #20008-17726 with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Anyone with information about Dane can email Searchingfordaneelkins@gmail.com or text 562-504-6005.
