Clark was last seen in Bay City, Michigan in the early morning hours of July 22, 1997. He and his roommate, Christopher W. Cushway, had been drinking and went out to get more liquor, but they got a flat tire. Cushway parked the car and they walked to the liquor store, made their purchase and left. They planned to walk home across Veterans Memorial Bridge, but then Clark wandered into an alley and never returned. Cushway went home and when he woke up later that day, Clark still hadn't arrived. Cushway reported him missing two days later.

Clark had previously worked at the Texan Restaurant in the 100 block of north Euclid Avenue and lived in the Arlington Hotel, but he quit his job and moved in with Cushway about a week before his disappearance. He left all his belongings behind, including his guitar and an uncashed paycheck, and never accessed his savings account after his disappearance. Foul play is suspected in Clark's case. He was declared legally dead in June 2011.