Houghtaling disappeared from the vicinity of Route 6 and Main Street in Croudersport, Pennsylvania on February 12, 2006. He was last seen driving his vehicle, a red two-door 1990 Volkswagon Fox with dents and scratches, a home-made front grill, and Pennsylvania license plates numbered EYM-0180. A photograph of the car is posted below this case summary. Houghtaling's father found the car parked at the Buffalo Airport after the police were unable to locate it. Some literature on Christian missions in Israel was inside the vehicle.

The United States embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel confirmed that Houghtaling arrived in that country on February 16. He was questioned upon his arrival, due to the small amount of luggage he carried, but was admitted into the country without incident. He allegedly planned to stay for one week. His loved ones haven't heard from him since, and there's no evidence that he left Israel. His parents went to Israel to look for him in mid-2006, but their search yielded no results.

Houghtaling's bank account hasn't been used since his disappearance. He is described as a deeply religious Christian who wanted to do missionary work. He is mechanically gifted as well. He had no known girlfriend in 2006 and didn't drink alcohol or use drugs. Houghtaling had previously resided with his parents on Snyder Road, but he moved out on February 6, four days prior to going missing. His case remains unsolved.

Above: Houghtaling's car