10 Mysteries Involving Families Who Were Killed Or Disappeared

The Cowden Family Went On A Camping Trip But Never Returned
The four members of the Cowden family went on a Labor Day camping trip in 1974, like so many other people do every year. There was Richard and Belinda, the father and mother, as well as their five-year old son, David, and five-month old daughter, Melissa. During the course of their trip, they were supposed to have dinner one night at Belinda’s mother’s house, who lived relatively close to the campsite. When they didn’t show up, Belinda’s mother got worried.

She went out to the campsite to see if they were still getting ready. When she arrived, the campsite was deserted. What was even stranger was that the campsite looked perfectly serene. Nothing was missing, and there didn’t appear to have been a struggle of any kind. However, it was clear the entire family had left abruptly, some wearing only swimsuits. They also left behind their truck. Police conducted a massive search for the Cowdens, but it wouldn’t be until seven months later that the bodies were found.

The remains of the Cowden family were discovered in a cave not too far away from their campsite. Although several theories were brought up as to what happened, nothing could ever be proven definitively. It remains a mystery to this day.

The McStay Family May Have Been On Their Way To Mexico But Never Made It
The McStays lived in Fallbrook, CA, where Joseph and Summer raised their two sons. In 2010, the family drove off in their Isuzu Trooper and would never be heard from again.

It was unclear where exactly the family was heading. Police found that that “What documents do children need for traveling to Mexico?” was one of the last searched terms in the family’s online history. Surveillance footage also seemed to indicate that the McStays had crossed the US/Mexico border, although it was too grainy to ever actually confirm. In 2013, it would be confirmed that they never made it to Mexico.