Bolter was last seen at his home in Waterford, California on December 23, 1972. He has never been heard from again. Nine days before his disappearance, he was robbed of $30,000 by three men. The men first took the money from his wallet, then one of them made Bolter drive him around in his own pickup truck for nearly four hours. They visited three banks and Bolter withdrew three $10,000 checks from his bank account and then cashed them and gave the money to the man.

Bolter's truck later was found parked along Highway 132 east of Waterford, with the keys still in the ignition. His loved ones stated he was despondent over the loss of his money and may have committed suicide. Bolter is a retired cattle rancher. His case remains unsolved.