Dane Elkins was 21 years old at the time of his disappearance. He was an engineering student at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He was an accomplished racquetball champion, winning 23 junior national titles in both singles and doubles. Dale was a black belt in karate. Dale was close with his family, he never missed a birthday.

His mother, Deborah, believes that Dane may be experiencing an episode of paranoia as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. She noticed a shift in her son. On December 21, 2020, Dane called his mother from the highway. He told his mother that it was not safe for him to come home. Not long after, he called 911. When authorities arrived, there was no sign of Dane. His car was abandoned with a flat tire, and his wallet and phone were still inside the vehicle.

There were a few credible sightings of Dane, but unfortunately, there were no verifiable photos taken. Dane's case remains unsolved, but his mother is actively searching for him.