The disappearance of Michael Martin, a seasoned Las Vegas pilot, has taken a puzzling turn as new details emerge about his final hours. Martin, 65, vanished after departing from the North Las Vegas Airport on Jan. 2 in his 1960s Piper aircraft. Authorities recently suspended their extensive search for him after scouring hundreds of square miles with no results.

According to a police report, Martin may have been upset on the morning he left and was carrying a handgun in his work bag. The reasons for his possible distress remain unclear, as parts of the report are redacted. Despite these circumstances, Metro Police noted that Martin had no known medical conditions, was not suicidal, and was capable of taking care of himself.

The timeline of Martin’s disappearance raises further questions. His flight transponder stopped transmitting at 11:15 a.m., just 24 minutes after takeoff. By 12:06 p.m., his phone last pinged near Tonopah, and his iPad and Apple Watch showed him near Mount Jefferson, about 50 miles away, at 12:26 p.m. Despite this digital trail, authorities have found no physical evidence of Martin or his plane.

Family members reported Martin missing on Jan. 5. Kathleen Martin, his daughter-in-law, confirmed that he had access to credit cards and was believed to have carried around $20. Martin was presumed to be heading toward Indian Springs and Lee Canyon to service his aircraft, but his destination remains unverified.

The search for Martin, led by Nye County officials and emergency management teams, has now been paused. “Without any physical evidence to guide further efforts, continuing the search becomes increasingly difficult,” said Nye County Director of Emergency Management Scott Lewis.

While Martin’s disappearance leaves his family and the Las Vegas community searching for answers, it underscores the risks and uncertainties pilots face. As this story develops, many are left wondering—what truly happened to Michael Martin?

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal