Mysterious Stories Blog

Strange, disturbing and mysterious stories from the outdoors

The puzzling disappearance of Max Schweitzer in Yosemite National Park

Maximillian "Max" L. Schweitzer yosemite

Maximillian "Max" L. Schweitzer, disappeared January 1-3, 2018, Yosemite National Park, California.

The disappearance of Maximillian "Max" L. Schweitzer, 41, in Yosemite National Park in January 2018 is an interesting case because of the background of the man involved. His LinkedIn profile claimed he was a Clandestine Analyst at the U.S. Department of Homeland security.

Was this a classic disappearance caused by national causes, foul play or misadventure or did Max intend to disappear?

The visit to Yosemite National Park

camp 4 yosemite national park

Max is believed to have gone to Yosemite National park around January 1-3, 2018.

His rental car was found at Camp 4 parking on January 5th after it was reported overdue by the rental company. Friends or family did not report him missing. 

He was last seen wearing a light-colored long-sleeve shirt or sweatshirt, light-colored shorts, and a dark-colored backpack.

There is very little further information on this case and media coverage has been limited. Max remains missing after his trip to Yosemite.

Maximillian "Max" L. Schweitzer missing poster
Cafeteria in the Yosemite Lodge posted by NPS

Cafeteria in the Yosemite Lodge posted by NPS

Background to Max Schweitzer

Max appears to have had several run-ins with the law over the years. Was he suffering from mental illness? There are reports he may have been homeless at the time of his disappearance and living in San Francisco, California.

In 2005 it was reported by SFGATE that a  31-year-old man was facing federal charges for allegedly trashing the FBI lobby in San Francisco by throwing a potted plant against a wall, breaking legs off chairs, and damaging glass display cases.

Schweitzer insisted that he had to see FBI agents, then allegedly caused an estimated $7,491 in damage at the Federal Building, Inspector John Tanabe of the Federal Protective Service wrote in an affidavit.

Then in 2016, there is a record of threats of violence in Sacramento with an arrest date of 16th June 2016.

A reference to the minutes from June 2004 of the San Francisco Civil Service Commission shows his employment was terminated as a Transit Planner. 

Max's LinkedIn profile claims he was a Clandestine Analyst at the US Department of Homeland Security.

Maximillian Schweitzer arrest
max schweiter San fran linked in
Civil Service Commission Minutes June 2004

Civil Service Commission Minutes June 2004

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Sources

https://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?361536-CA-Maximillian-Max-Schweitzer-41-Yosemite-National-Park-4-Jan-2018

https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-schweitzer-06b90855/

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-Man-accused-of-vandalizing-FBI-2568014.php

https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteNPS/photos/a.156902234358067.26538.138795446168746/1552961941418749/?type=3

https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteNPS/photos/pcb.1557981460916797/1557974487584161/?type=3&theater

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article193626994.html

https://mynews4.com/news/local/41-year-old-man-reported-missing-out-of-yosemite-national-park

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