Helmut Ernst Altmann, an Austrian national, came to the Los Angeles area to invest in California real estate and checked into the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on October 26, 1984. Indicating an October 31, 1984 checkout date and a scheduled return to Austria on November 2, 1984, Altmann was last seen in his hotel room on October 30, 1984. On November 6, 1984, after he was reported missing by his wife, Altmann's hotel room was checked; his clothing, money, passport and return airline ticket to Austria via Germany were found in the room.

It is believed that Altmann was driving a rented car and was sightseeing in the Big Sur area of California on October 30, 1984. Altmann's rented car is still outstanding.