Betts was last seen in Tucson, Arizona on October 20, 2006. He drove his green 2001 Mazda Protege into Saguaro National Park at 4:00 p.m., and paid the entrance fee. He has never been heard from again. His car was found three days later, abandoned in a parking lot at the head of the Loma Verde Loop Trail, about one mile from the main roads. An extensive search of the park turned up no indication of Betts's whereabouts.

Betts's parents live in New Jersey and he normally spoke to them on the telephone regularly, but they haven't heard from him since he went missing. He was a student at Pima Community College at the time of his disappearance, and had previously attended the University of Arizona. Betts was not a regular outdoorsman in 2006, but he hiked frequently. Authorities stated he was having personal problems at the time of his disappearance and was unemployed. He left a note behind in his apartment near north First Avenue and east Fort Lowell Road; its contents have not been released to the public. He also left his passport and credit cards. There were no indications of foul play at his home or his vehicle.

Investigators stated Betts disappeared under suspicious circumstances. His case remains unsolved.