Butler was last known to be living on the streets in Santa Monica, California sometime during 1994. He has never been heard from again. In 1999, his father died and left him a substantial inheritance, and his family members were unable to locate him to inform him. They reported him missing at this time. Butler has been hospitalized in several mental institutions in California and Oregon prior to his disappearance. He attempted to travel to Belgium in 1984, but was immediately returned to the United States due to his mental condition.

Butler was reported as a missing person by his brother, who is now deceased. Investigators have lost contact with all his other relatives, do they do not have DNA to compare with any unidentified remains. His fingerprints are available, however. Butler's case remains unsolved.