The Yuba County Five: The Boys Who Vanished

The Yuba County Five disappearance is one of California’s most baffling true-crime mysteries. In 1978, five men vanished in the Sierra Nevada mountains—four found dead, one missing to this day.

This Tales of the Twisted true crime podcast episode blends eerie real stories, unexplained disappearances, and dark psychological mystery to examine what truly happened during the final hours of the Yuba County Five.

Their abandoned car was found in working condition. Their supplies weren’t used. Evidence inside a forest trailer suggested they had shelter—but did not take vital food and heat that could have saved their lives. Theories range from foul play to panic, to something stranger.

Why did they travel into the mountains? And what happened to Gary Mathias?