Hagel resided in Fargo, North Dakota at the time of his disappearance, and was employed as a traveling salesman. He was last seen at a bowlng tournament in Fargo on February 26, 1989. After the tournament was over, he apparently traveled across the country for unknown reasons.

Hagel called his ex-girlfriend on March 8, 1989. He told her he was in Kingman, Arizona. His ex-girlfriend stated he seemed depressed during the conversation and hinted he was feeling suicidal. He said he had only two hundred dollars with him and was going to go back home. He never returned to North Dakota and has never been heard from again. Hagel's blue Ford Tempo was located in a desolate area off the road near the Death Valley National Monument in California on March 10. His belongings were inside the vehicle. Police followed Hagel's footprints for several miles away from his abandoned vehicle, but eventually lost the trail. He has never been located. The Death Valley area is known for its mysterious disappearances; several tourists who have gone to see the monument have gotten lost and has never been seen again.

Hagel's own father disappeared without explanation around the time he was born, but resurfaced alive and well several years later. Some investigators feel Hagel staged his disappearance to walk away from his life, just as his father did. There was one possible sighting of Hagel in California after he went missing, but this was never confirmed.

Bismarck, North Dakota police are investigating Hagel's case.