Patrick Carnes was last seen driving through Wells, Nevada on the evening of April 13, 2011 with his dog, a mixed-breed named 'Lucky'. Patrick was known to be driving home from Toledo, OH after visiting relatives. As he was driving, Patrick was pulled over by a Nevada Highway Patrol Officer for a minor traffic violation. During his interaction with the patrolman, Patrick informed him that he was following behind a truck, which was heading to Elko, NV. The driver of the truck that Patrick was allegedly following has never been identified.

The following morning, Patrick's car was found abandoned in a rural area at an interstate exit ramp near Winnemucca, NV. Officials discovered that the car was not out of gas, and found all of his personal belongings inside of the car, but Patrick and his dog, Lucky, were no where to be found.