The Mysterious Disappearance Of Christopher Coan

Christopher Robin Coan






On September 3, 2007 Christopher Coan left his job at Subway in Cedar City, Utah and hasn't been seen or heard from since. At the time of his disappearance, Chris was 18 years old. Today, he would be 19 years old.

Chris was last seen wearing his black Subway shirt with a green shirt underneath and black cordouroy jeans. His vehicle, a 1994 Chevy Blazer S-10 maroon/burgundy and silver in color, are missing as well. The vehicle had a temporary license tag. It also had several bumper stickers.
Vehicle similar to Chris' vehicle


This green shirt is the same shirt Chris Coan was wearing at the time he disappeared.




From the beginning, the family of Chris Coan have maintained that he would never have run off like this. They have diligently worked to get as much help and information out to the public to help locate Chris. Although the possibility that Chris decided to start a new life exists, it seems highly unlikely. His family and friends only want answers. I would imagine that for the family and friends of a missing person-giving up hope is not an option.

Shortly after Chris' disappearance, a website was set up to help find Chris Coan. There, you can find several photos, videos, and information. There is also a MySpace account set up in another effort to get the word out about Chris. That's where I came across this plea from Chris' father, Dave Coan:

Chris has just turned 19. His birth date is August 6, 1989.

Who would have thought that this nightmare would have gone on for a full year?
Chris went missing on Monday evening September 3, 2007 when he left work at the Subway Sandwich Shop in Cedar City, Utah.

On Saturday night, September 2, 2007 Chris had called me to confirm that we were going to Church together which is something we commonly did together. It was our special thing.

On Sunday, we did go to Church. Everything seemed fine. That afternoon Chris, his younger brother Shaun and I went for a hike. When we got home Chris stayed for awhile, even had dinner with us. When he left to get into his 1994 Maroon/Burgundy and Silver Chevy S10 Blazer I ran up to him, gave him a hug and told him I loved him. Still, everything seemed fine. That is the last time I saw my son.

On Monday, Labor Day weekend. Chris walked out the door from work and was never seen or heard from again. No one saw him get into his vehicle and leave, though the vehicle is still missing.

On Tuesday, Chris' girlfriend Sasha whom he lived with in a room with a separate entrance built inside her parent's garage called me to tell me that Chris was missing and we began immediately searching for him. Aerial and ground searches were conducted in the surrounding areas. On Friday the Iron County Sherriff's office had their search and rescue team out looking for him.
The thinking was that he might have left a little bummed out because his 3 hour shift did not go very well. He had trouble with a very rude customer, his boss had a talk with him about getting things done a little faster. Though that was a little upsetting, it would not be a big enough deal for him to just up and leave everything and everyone behind. We were concerned that he may have gone into the hills to think about things, maybe joy ride in his newly purchased vehicle. Perhaps he had trouble with the vehicle and was stranded or had rolled it or gone off the side of the hill or what have you. The area around Cedar City is sparsely populated and there is plenty of wide open spaces and ravines. Going up the canyon is heavily wooded with a river running beside it coming from the lake several miles above. After several hundred people joined forces to thoroughly canvas the area, both ground and air, we were pretty certain that he was not in close proximity to Cedar City. Hunting season came and went hunters on the lookout with no sign of Chris.

During the time that Chris has been gone there have been reports of seeing him and or his vehicle in various places. Supposed sightings have been in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. None of these places or the eye witnesses has turned up any conclusive evidence that it was indeed him or maybe a person that resembled him and his vehicle. In all reports the one thing consistent is that the person that they assume was Chris was never seen connected with the vehicle. The person seen was always walking or skateboarding, which is something Chris liked to do. No one could identify the driver of the vehicle.

There are many kids that resemble Chris. He wears the typical skateboarding hair cut and clothing. He is approximately 5'6" tall, slim build, about 125-135 lbs. He was last seen wearing a Subway uniform top over a green t-shirt that had the words "Almost, Almost, Almost" written on it. He had on black corduroy pants that would look brown in the right lighting. He was wearing a new pair of skate shoes. His hair is a very brilliant blonde that sweeps to the side below his blue eyes and just below his collar in the back. He is a very avid reader, has a very witty personality and likes to study history and the subculture of the 60's.

Because Chris had just turned 18 and is considered an adult the FBI refused to get involved because, at 18, he is considered an adult and therefore not breaking any laws. Chief David Browning of the Enoch, Utah police department had already begun a full scale investigation into his whereabouts deeming the case "suspicious circumstance". What is suspicious about Chris' disappearance is that he gave very little indication through his mood or his manner that anything was wrong. He left with no wallet, though he had $100 cash and his ID and drivers license inside the wallet and no ATM card to withdraw cash from his bank account. The bank account to this day remains untouched. He had ample opportunity to go home and retrieve his clothes and other personal belongings without being observed if he were to just leave.
Due to financial time restraints the Enoch Police department called this a cold case within two months. Chief Browning has since come to the opinion that he may have just left voluntarily though nothing has changed since his original opinion that it was Suspicious Circumstances. No new evidence has been produced to substantiate that conclusion which adds to our desperation and inability to get media and other law enforcement to take this seriously and get involved in this case. A private investigation is currently and actively being conducted, still with no substantial leads or evidence.

I appeal to everyone out there to help us find our son. We love Chris and miss him very much. His brothers and mother are very much affected by his disappearance as well. Not a minute goes by that we don't think about him. We are stuck in a kind of limbo. We cannot move forward with our lives not knowing where he is or if he is alright. The stress, most days, is almost unbearable.

My personal message to Chris: If you are out there, son, we love you and miss you very badly and please call and let us know you are ok.

If anyone knows his whereabouts please let us know. You can report anonymously at http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmZpbmRjaHJpcy5vcmcv or on myspace at www.myspace.com/findchriscoan . There is a reward for anyone is directly responsible for finding my son. This must be verified, of course. All we want to do is know that he is ok. If you know something, and someone out there does, please let us know.

Dave Coan

Someone out there knows where Chris is and what happened to him. His family only wants to know that he is safe. As with any disappearance, not knowing is the hardest part. They need answers and they need help. Please, if you can provide any information as to Chris' whereabouts, please go to www.findchris.org or call the Enoch Police Department at 435-586-9445.