Hello my name is Anthony and I am setting up this fundraiser as a reward for anyone who can help locate and find the remains of Gary Dale Mathias.

On February 24th 1978 five men from Yuba City, Gary Dale Mathis (25), Ted Earl Weiher (32), Jackie Charles Huett (24), William Lee Sterling (29) and Jack Antone Madruga (30) disappeared after attending a basketball game at Chico University, CA. Jack Madruga had driven them from the Marysville area up to Chico that night with his 1969 Mercury Montego. This vehicle would be found 70 miles away by law enforcement near Rodgers cow camp in the Plumas national forest 3 days later. In early June 1978 four of the five men: Ted, Jackie, Will and Jack would be found deceased in the Plumas national forest. Gary Mathis has still not been found and to this day remains missing.

Gary Mathias was born October 15th, 1952. Gary was described by his family as very kind hearted, enjoyed singing, writing and playing sports growing up. Gary had 2 younger sisters and a younger brother who growing up looked up to their big brother as a role model and protector at times. Gary would help his siblings by walking them to school and looking out for them. Gary enlisted in the US army after he graduated high school and was stationed in West Germany before being discharged due to developing schizophrenia. Gary struggled adjusting back to society for a short period unfortunately. Despite his mental health issues Gary wanted to improve by attending psychiatrist sessions, taking prescribed medications, held down a job working with his step father and attended Gateway projects in Yuba City. Gary also enjoyed hanging out with Ted Weiher, Jackie Huett, Jack Madruga and Will Sterling and all five would go bowling and practice playing basketball around Yuba City.

There are areas in the Plumas national forest which Gary's family believe could be searched for his remains. One area is in/near the Soapstone Canyon area which is west of the Daniel Zinc campground, not too far from Bucks Lake. In the original case files from 1978 yuba sheriffs department noted footprints were found heading up towards Soapstone hill. These footprints then lead downhill, past some hunters cabins, and further into Soapstone Canyon. Yuba and Butte deputies attempted to search the canyon but due to the weather were unable to. Soapstone canyon has not been searched for the last 47 years. Another area in the Plumas national forest that could be of interest is east of the Daniel Zinc campground, following the Oroville Quincy highway towards Meadow Valley. It is possible that Gary Mathias attempted to follow the Oroville Quincy highway road towards Meadow Valley in search of aid.

Anyone who is able to help the Mathias family successfully locate and discover Gary's remains will receive the fundraiser reward. If there is anyone in the Yuba City area who has any information regarding the disappearance of Gary Dale Mathis, Ted Earl Weiher, Jackie Charles Huett, Will Lee Sterling and Jack Antone Madruga please contact the Yuba County Sheriffs department immediately.

February 24th, 2025, will mark the 47th anniversary of the Yuba County fives disappearance. The Weihers, Huetts, Sterlings, Madrugas and Mathias families have endured 47 years of sorrow, frustration and unanswered questions. The Mathias family has also endured 47 years without finding their family member. I hope this fundraiser will motivate someone or some people to help find Gary Mathias' remains and/or come forward with any tips and information regarding what happened on February 24th 1978. Let there be Justice for them.