Cantea was last seen on July 3, 1975, when he went to a friend's home to return a record he had borrowed. The friend stated Cantea appeared nervous and declined an invitation to stay awhile. The next day, another of his friends called his family to ask where he was. His loved ones checked his apartment on Elizabeth Avenue in Bremerton, Washington. Cantea's wallet, car keys, house keys, comb, loose change and cash were scattered on his dresser. The room was otherwise in order. His vehicle, a 1965 Mustang, was parked in front of the apartment. He has never been heard from again.

Cantea's mother stated her son was in good spirits at the time of his disappearance. He did not have a girlfriend in 1975, but he had platonic friends. He had no known enemies and had never been in trouble with the law. Cantea's mother received a certificate of presumptive death for him in 2005, thirty years after his disappearance. She believes he is probably deceased. His case remains unsolved.