In October 2018, 16‑year‑old Karlie Lain Gusé disappeared from her small neighborhood in White Mountain Estates, Mono County, California. She was last seen walking toward Highway 6 in the cold early morning.

Karlie lived with her dad, Zac, her stepmom, Melissa, and her younger siblings. She went to Bishop Union High School and seemed like a normal teen with everyday problems, but she had no history of running away.

Year book photo

A Night of Fear and Confusion

On the night of October 12, Karlie went to a small gathering with friends. She smoked marijuana, but something felt terribly wrong soon after. Scared and shaking, she called Melissa to pick her up.

During the drive home, Melissa later said Karlie acted terrified and paranoid, convinced a car was following them. At home, Karlie shifted between calm moments and sudden panic. She kept saying she felt like something awful was going to happen.

Melissa tried to comfort her with food, but Karlie pushed it away, whispering, “This is the devil’s lettuce,” as if regular salad were dangerous. Worried, Melissa recorded an eight‑minute audio clip so Karlie could hear it later when she felt better. In the recording, Karlie says, “I really messed up today,” and Melissa gently replies, “We all do things we regret, especially drugs.” Karlie says, “I love you,” but later becomes scared again and says she thinks Melissa might hurt her. People who have heard the recording say Karlie sounds deeply afraid, confused, and paranoid, while Melissa stays calm and tries to help.

That night, Melissa says she stayed with Karlie. She remembers seeing her awake around 5:30 a.m., then dozing off. When she woke up again between 7:00 and 7:30, Karlie was gone. The front door was unlocked, and Karlie’s phone, glasses, and belongings were still inside.

Nearby terrain

The Last Known Sightings

Three neighbors reported seeing a girl matching Karlie’s description walking in the subdivision and near Highway 6. She wore a white shirt and dark pants, with no jacket, even in the cold. They didn’t see a car stop, didn’t hear yelling, and didn’t notice any injury—just a thin teenage girl walking alone.

Search teams from the Mono County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI used helicopters, dogs, off‑road vehicles, and digital records to look for clues. No clothing, remains, or firm evidence has ever been found. Over the years, many tips and supposed sightings came in, but none have been confirmed.

Inside the family, painful disagreements grew. Karlie’s biological mother believes Karlie may have died at home after a bad drug reaction and that the full truth hasn’t been shared. Her father and stepmother strongly deny this and say they told authorities everything they know, believing Karlie walked away and met danger outside.
These conflicting stories have fueled years of public argument and social‑media debates, even as police continue to list the case as an official missing‑person investigation.

Years Later, a Family Still Searching

In 2020, the FBI and Mono County Sheriff released a video series called “The Things They Carry,” sharing memories, interviews, and the emotional weight the family still holds. A later TV documentary included the now‑well‑known audio recording from the night before Karlie vanished.

An age-progression photo of how she may look on her 20th birthday.

As of 2025, Karlie is still missing. The FBI poster continues to state she was last seen walking near Highway 6 on October 13, 2018, leaving behind all her belongings and making no confirmed contact afterward. An age‑progression photo shows what she might look like now, a young woman in her twenties—still loved, still missed, and still searched for by those who refuse to give up hope.