The Disappearance of Jeffrey Kolden

Name: Jeffrey Frederick Ervin Kolden
Age: 30 years old
Last Seen: June 8, 2002
Location: Morenci, Arizona
Status: Still missing

Case Information

30 year old Jeffrey Kolden was last seen in Morenci, Arizona on June 8, 2002. He was last seen driving on Reservation Road in the Morenci Corals area.

Disappearance

At approximately 10:00 pm on June 8, 2002, Jeffrey Kolden left his home in Morenci, Arizona after getting into an argument with his fiance.

He went to a nearby Circle K store where he purchased gasoline and beer. It’s unclear how he paid for the supplies, since his wallet was found in his other vehicle after he went missing.

The last confirmed sighting of Kolden was him driving south of Morenci on Reservation Road in the Morenci Corals area. He hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

Investigation

At 1:11 pm on June 9, 2002, Kolden’s vehicle, a blue 1985 Chevrolet C/K 1500 pickup with Arizona plates, was found in the San Francisco River, which is along the route he was last known to be driving.

A blue ice cooler and signs of a campfire were found near the riverbank, about 90 yards away from his truck, leading investigators to believe Kolden did not drown in the river.

Extensive searches were conducted in the area over the next three days with the help of ground teams and a helicopter, but no further clues as to his whereabouts were found.

Kolden’s fiance was pregnant at the time of his disappearance, which made police theorize he may have ran off to avoid his responsibilities. However, loved ones say he was looking forward to becoming a father and the upcoming elk hunting season. They do not believe he would have left on his own.

There has been no activity on Kolden’s bank account since he went missing.

Jeffrey formerly resided in the Tuscon, Arizona area.

His daughter was born on July 16, a little over a month after he went missing.

Appearance

Native American male with brown hair and brown eyes. Jeffrey stands 5’8 tall and weighs 165-185 pounds. He had a mustache and small goatee at the time of his disappearance.

Clothing & Accessories:
Jeffrey was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with an American Flag on it, dark blue army fatigue pants, white Hanes brand socks, black combat boots, sunglasses, and a Diamondbacks baseball cap.

Investigating Agency

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jeffrey Kolden, please contact the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 865-4149.

Agency case number 2002-0779

Resources & Further Information

Jeffrey Frederick Ervin Kolden – NamUs
Jeffrey Kolden, Missing From Arizona Since 2002 – Justice For Native People
Jeffrey Frederick Ervin Kolden – The Charley Project
Family Fears Man Missing Since June Was Abducted – EACourier