Anderson left his home in Anacortes, Washington at 4:30 p.m. on January 6 to meet with an acquaintance in the Arlington, Washington area. He was carrying only a small amount of cash and no cellular phone (it was found in a mud puddle near his house), extra clothes or any other belongings. According to his brother and son, Anderson's acquaintance was going to give him Oxycontin, a powerful painkiller. Anderson had been prescribed the drug after rotator cuff surgery and again after he broke four ribs, and his brother believes he became addicted to it. Anderson has never been heard from again.

Anderson was driving his white 1999 Ford Ranger standard cab pickup truck with a white canopy and the Washington license plate number B0811F. A photo of the truck is posted below this case summary. It was found abandoned on a remote logging road in Darrington, Washington a few weeks later. It was high-centered, stuck between two logs, and there was indications that someone had tried to dig it out. Anderson would have had no reason to go to this location. The police stated there were no indications of foul play or suicide at the scene, although a small amount of blood was found. An extensive search of the area turned up no indication of Anderson's whereabouts.

When police talked to Anderson's acquaintance who was supposed to give him the drug, the man said they had in fact met, he gave Anderson the Oxycontin and dropped him off in a grocery store parking lot, and this was the last time he saw him. One of Anderson's acquaintances claims he saw Anderson that day in Sultan, Washington, about 120 miles from Anacortes. This is the last sighting of him. His family stated when he bought Oxycontin he would not take it until he got home.

Anderson worked as a counselor at Anacortes High School for over two decades, but he had retired by the time of his disappearance. He was close to his family, particularly his brother, and it's uncharacteristic of him to leave without warning; he had never spent a night away from his wife in 43 years of marriage. He has one adult son and three four daughter living. Anderson's family fears he met with foul play. His case remains unsolved.

Above: Anderson's truck