Widicker is a retired farmer and resided in Bowden, North Dakota with his wife. The couple accompanied a group from Maranatha Volunteers International, a Christian humanitarian organization, to Costa Rica in November 2001. The volunteers painted churches and schools in the area at the time. The group visited the Tabacon Resort in Tabacon Hot Springs on November 8. Widicker was last seen sitting on a bench near their tour bus sometime during the afternoon. His wife walked approximately 15 to 20 feet away to wade in the hot springs while he rested. She returned approximately 30 minutes later and discovered that her husband had disappeared. Widicker has never been heard from again.

An extensive search of the area produced no clues as to Widicker's whereabouts. Security guards at the resort reported watching Widicker walk away from the parking lot along a public road leading away from the property. The sighting was not considered abnormal at the time, since many guests walked along the road to visit additional hot springs.

Widicker does not speak Spanish. There were unconfirmed sightings of him in the Moravia, Los Yoses and San Jose areas of Costa Rica shortly after his disappearance. Widicker's case remains unsolved.

Some reports may state that Widicker disappeared after sitting on the group's bus while his wife visited the springs.