The Unsolved Disappearance of Karlie Gusé
16-year-old Karlie Gusé was last seen in Chalfant, California on October 13, 2018. She disappeared after leaving her family residence during the morning hours.
Background
Karlie Lain Gusé was born on May 13, 2002 to parents Zachary Gusé and Lindsay Fairley.
When Karlie was two years old her parents divorced. She initially lived with her mother, but later moved in with her father and his wife in Bishop, California. She kept a close relationship with her mother who resided in Nevada.
At the time of her disappearance, Karlie was living with her father, stepmother, and two younger siblings at their home on Ponderosa Street near White Mountain Estate Road in Chalfant Valley, California.
Karlie was attending Bishop Union High School and had a part time job at the tile company where her stepmother worked. Described as a typical teenager, she loved to dance and hangout with friends.
Disappearance
After finishing school on October 12, 2018, Karlie Gusé told her family she was going to a high school football game. Instead, she went to a party in Bishop with her boyfriend and several other friends.
At some point Karlie smoked marijuana at the party and began expressing feelings of intense fear. She had previous adverse reactions to the substance and was believed to be experiencing a form of psychosis.
Karlie decided to leave the party early and called her stepmother to come pick her up. Around 9:00 pm she was back home and ate dinner with her family.
However, Karlie continued to exhibit erratic and paranoid behavior that night and was described as disoriented before going to bed.
Karlie was last seen asleep in bed around 5:45 am on October 13, 2018 by her stepmother, who opened up the kids’ doors to say good morning and get them ready for school as she did each morning.
Her stepmother then went back to bed for a while, but when she got up at 7:15 am Karlie was nowhere to be seen.
Karlie Gusé hasn’t been seen or heard from since. Later that morning her family friends filed a missing person’s report with the Mono County Sheriff’s Office when they couldn’t find her.
Investigation
Karlie left all of her personal belongings behind at home, including her cellphone, glasses, and cash.
According to three witnesses, Karlie was spotted that morning around 7:00 – 7:30 am walking south, approximately 30 yards east of Highway 6 and 100 yards south of Sierra View Road. Investigators searched the area, but found no additional clues as to her whereabouts.
On October 20, 2018, authorities stated Karlie Gusé’s disappearance did not meet the criteria for an AMBER alert as there was no evidence or indication of an abduction.
On March 25, 2019, her stepmother recanted the timeline and version of events on the morning of Karlie Gusé’s disappearance during an interview on the Dr. Phil talk show.
Her stepmother claimed that she stayed all night with Karlie in bed to watch over her, and that she was still lying next to her when she briefly woke up around 5:30 am. However, Karlie was gone when she got up again between 7:15 – 7:30 am.
Whereabouts
Police found no evidence of foul play in Karlie Gusé’s disappearance. A $5,000 reward is being offered by the FBI for information leading to Karlie’s discovery.
The circumstances of Karlie’s disappearance remain unclear, and her case is currently classified as missing. Her case remains unsolved.
Appearance
Physical Description:
White female born on May 13, 2002 with dark blonde hair and blue eyes. Karlie is 5’7 tall and weighs 110 pounds.
Distinctive Physical Features:
Karlie’s left nostril is pierced.
Clothing and accessories:
Karlie was likely wearing gray sweatpants or jeans, a white t-shirt, and Vans brand shoes when she disappeared.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Karlie Lain Gusé please contact the Mono County Sheriff’s Office at (760) 932-5678 or the FBI Sacramento Office at (916) 746-7000.
