MISSING: Darrel “Bubba” Johnson Sr.
At a busy campsite one summer night, Darrel “Bubba” Johnson Sr. says goodnight and zips up his tent. By sunrise, he’s gone. No Bubba. Just a borrowed flashlight, a phone that pings but is never found, and stories that don’t make much sense. Did Bubba wander off…or did something more sinister happen in the dark?
Darrel “Bubba” Johnson Sr.
Credit: Arizona Motor Vehicle Division
A photo of Darrel “Bubba” Johnson Sr. on the camping trip.
Courtesy: Michaelyn Memoli
The last photo of Bubba taken on the camping trip with Allie and Ernie.
Courtesy: Jayna Johnson
Bubba with one of his grandchildren.
Courtesy: Jayna Johnson
Bubba with one of his grandchildren.
Courtesy: Jayna Johnson
A segment of a map showing Conchas Lake State Park with the location of the campsite marked by an X.
Credit: New Mexico State Police
A missing persons flyer for Darrel “Bubba” Johnson Sr.
Timeline
Darrel “Bubba” Johnson Sr., 67, travels from Phoenix, Arizona, to Conchas Lake State Park in New Mexico to attend a birthday camping trip.
Between 11 p.m. and 12 a.m.: Alejandra “Allie” Diaz checks on Bubba in his tent and he says he is fine and is going to sleep.
12:30am
Bubba is seen at a nearby campsite borrowing a flashlight and walking along the lake shoreline before heading back toward his own camp.
7:00am
Bubba is discovered missing from the campsite. He left his bag behind, but his wallet and phone are gone with him.
12:28pm
New Mexico State Police respond to the missing person report at Conchas Lake State Park.
2:23pm
Bubba’s phone records show a final ping near the campsite. The phone is never recovered.
Around 2:00am
Bubba’s son, Darrel Johnson Jr., arrives at the campsite after driving overnight from Phoenix and says he doesn’t see the camping group.
Conchas Lake State Park
The location of the camping trip and the last confirmed sighting of Bubba.
Please contact the authorities if you have any information about this case:
New Mexico State Police
If you know anything about the disappearance of Darrel “Bubba” Johnson Sr., please call the New Mexico State Police dispatch at 505-841-9256.
Suggested Episodes
MURDERED: Jerry Greer
In 2009, 71-year-old Jerry Greer was found murdered in his home in Templeton, California. For more than 17 years, the case has gone unsolved. Two men have searched for answers: former San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Detective Clint Cole and Jerry’s son, Brian. Each has a theory, and they point in two different directions. Which one is right? And if they’re both wrong, who murdered Jerry Greer?
MURDERED: Nori Amaya
On Halloween night in 2009, 38-year-old D.C. restaurateur and salsa queen Nori Amaya went out dancing, came home alone, and was found strangled in her bed two days later. Police have DNA and hours of surveillance footage, but in a building full of people in Halloween masks, they’ve never been able to identify her killer. Sixteen years later, the key to solving this case could be a secret someone in Nori’s world is still keeping, or something that went missing from her apartment the night she died.
MURDERED: Cheryl Harris
In many cases we cover, the victim never saw it coming. In this case, 31-year-old Cheryl Harris seemed to know something bad was going to happen before her death in March 1985.
Join our Fan Club to listen ad-free!
Unlock ad-free listening for this episode & hundreds of episodes across the Audiochuck network.
Join the Fan Club now for early access, exclusive content, & more!