On October 13, 2018, 16-year-old Karlie Guse vanished from her California home in the early morning hours, leaving behind a case that has confounded investigators and captivated the public. The circumstances of her disappearance remain shrouded in mystery, and the inconsistencies in witness statements and family accounts have only deepened the intrigue surrounding her case.
Karlie was a high school junior who had a boyfriend named Donald and worked a part-time job after school. She lived with her father, Zach, and stepmother, Melissa, in White Mountain Estates in Chalfant, California, a small community near Bishop. Karlie’s biological parents, Zach and Lindsay, had divorced when she was just two years old. Initially, Karlie lived with her mother but later moved in with her father and Melissa.
The day before her disappearance, Karlie was supposed to attend a football game with friends. However, she and her group decided not to go and engaged in other activities instead. Later that evening, Karlie called Melissa to pick her up. According to Melissa, Karlie sounded paranoid and frightened on the phone, prompting her to rush to get Karlie. When Melissa arrived, Karlie was alone and behaving oddly. She got into the back seat of the car instead of the front and immediately apologized to Melissa for not going to the game. She admitted to smoking “a little green” with her friends, a term often used to describe marijuana.
Melissa noticed that Karlie’s behavior was unusual, describing her as paranoid and agitated. Karlie alternated between expressions of fear and affection, at one point saying, “I hate you guys; you’re going to kill me,” and then switching to “I love you guys.” Zach, too, observed her erratic behavior and suspected she was under the influence of something more potent than marijuana. To calm her down, Melissa gave Karlie a PowerBar and a salad, but Karlie’s paranoia persisted. She even referred to the salad as “the devil’s lettuce.”
Melissa decided to record Karlie’s behavior that night, explaining later that she wanted Karlie to see how she had acted under the influence. The recording reportedly captured Karlie’s distress, including her repeated expressions of fear and paranoia. Melissa also texted Karlie’s friends and boyfriend, asking them to pray for her, though the reason for this remains unclear. The last text Melissa sent was at 5:38 a.m., shortly before she fell asleep.
Melissa claims that when she woke up at 7:15 a.m., Karlie was no longer in her bed. She searched the house and the surrounding area but found no sign of her. At 9:35 a.m., Zach called Lindsay, Karlie’s biological mother, and informed her that Karlie was missing. Lindsay initially feared the worst, thinking Karlie had died. Zach then contacted the police, who initially treated Karlie’s disappearance as a case of a runaway teenager.
During their investigation, police identified three witnesses who reported seeing Karlie on the morning of October 13. The first witness, who lived in a nearby home with glass walls, claimed to have seen Karlie walking by. However, Lindsay expressed skepticism about this account. A local teacher also reported seeing Karlie, as did a wooder working near Highway 6, close to the Guse residence. Despite these sightings, the trail went cold, and no additional leads emerged.
Karlie’s personal belongings, including her phone, remained at home, deepening the mystery of her disappearance. Search efforts focused on the desert areas near her home, but they yielded no results. Melissa took to social media to share updates and seek help, but her actions and statements raised eyebrows, particularly among Karlie’s biological mother, Lindsay.
Lindsay found Melissa’s behavior suspicious, especially her decision to record Karlie on the night of her disappearance. When Lindsay heard parts of the recording, she became even more unsettled. Tensions between Lindsay and Melissa escalated as they clashed over how to handle the investigation. Lindsay preferred to keep certain details private to avoid compromising the case, while Melissa continued to share updates publicly.
The recording Melissa made has been heard by family members, law enforcement, and possibly Dr. Phil, who covered Karlie’s case on his show. On the program, Lindsay revealed that Karlie’s recorded statements included references to wanting to go to church, read the Bible, and learn about the devil. At one point, Karlie reportedly asked Melissa to call 911, but when Melissa hesitated, Karlie questioned her decision. This moment has been a focal point for those scrutinizing Melissa’s actions that night.
Adding to the controversy, Melissa’s account of the events has changed over time. Initially, she claimed to have stayed with Karlie all night, falling asleep around 5:30 a.m. and waking up at 7:15 a.m. to find Karlie gone. However, in a statement to NBC News, Melissa said she saw Karlie in bed at 5:45 a.m. while going through her usual morning routine but went back to sleep. These inconsistencies have fueled speculation about what really happened that night.
Melissa Guse’s interview with The Sheet, October 20, 2018:
Some theorists, including Lindsay, have speculated that Karlie may have had a drug overdose and that Melissa and Zach concealed her death. While there is no concrete evidence to support this theory, the lack of clarity and shifting narratives have left room for such conjecture. Dr. Phil’s attempts to interview the witnesses who claimed to have seen Karlie were thwarted when Zach and Melissa declined to provide their contact information, citing concerns about involving the witnesses without their consent.
Law enforcement conducted a thorough search of the Guse home and performed a forensic examination of Karlie’s phone and computer, but they found no incriminating evidence. The FBI has also been involved in the case, urging the public to come forward with any credible leads. Gina Swankie, an FBI public affairs officer, described Karlie’s disappearance as “every parent’s worst nightmare” and emphasized the importance of public assistance in solving the case.
As the years have passed, Karlie’s disappearance remains unsolved, leaving her family and the community with more questions than answers. Theories about her fate range from an accidental overdose to foul play to the possibility that she ran away and met with harm in the harsh desert environment. Each theory has its proponents and detractors, but none have been conclusively proven.
One of the most puzzling aspects of the case is the lack of physical evidence. Despite extensive searches, no trace of Karlie has been found. The desert terrain near her home is vast and unforgiving, raising the possibility that she succumbed to the elements. However, this theory does not explain the lack of any remains or belongings being discovered.
Another point of contention is the role of drugs in Karlie’s behavior that night. While she admitted to smoking marijuana, some believe she may have unknowingly consumed a more potent substance, leading to her paranoia and erratic behavior. If this were the case, it could explain her distress but does not account for her ultimate disappearance.
The family dynamics have also been a focal point of the investigation. Lindsay’s distrust of Melissa has led to public speculation about the stepmother’s role in the case. Melissa’s decision to record Karlie and her inconsistent statements have been heavily scrutinized, but no concrete evidence implicates her in any wrongdoing. Zach’s role has been less discussed, but as Karlie’s father, he too has faced questions about his actions and decisions that night.
The involvement of Dr. Phil and other media outlets has brought national attention to Karlie’s case, but it has also introduced a level of sensationalism that some feel has detracted from the investigation. While media coverage has helped keep Karlie’s name in the public eye, it has also led to a proliferation of theories and speculation, some of which are based on incomplete or inaccurate information.
Today, the search for Karlie Guse continues. Her case serves as a tragic reminder of the many young people who go missing each year, leaving their families to grapple with uncertainty and heartbreak. For Karlie’s loved ones, the hope of finding answers endures, even as the years pass and the trail grows colder.
Anyone with information about Karlie’s disappearance is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Even the smallest piece of information could help bring closure to a case that has left so many questions unanswered.
