The Councilman

Summary of The Councilman

by Audiochuck

25m•September 30, 2025
Listen to Episode

The Councilman — Episode Summary

Author/Host: audiochuck (Park Predators)
Host (episode): Delia D’Ambra

Overview

This episode examines the 1975 disappearance of Fred Gist, a 66-year-old former San Luis Obispo city councilman and real estate appraiser, who vanished from a backcountry area of Kings Canyon National Park (between Cedar Grove and Simpson Meadow) during a horseback/camping trip with several companions. Despite an extensive search, no trace of him was found, the case went cold, and he was later declared legally dead. The episode walks through the search, witness statements, Fred’s background, theories about his fate, and lingering questions.

Timeline (key dates)

  • August 19, 1975: Fred Gist last seen by companions on the trail.
  • Aug 25–late Aug 1975: Additional search resources arrive (helicopter, SAR team, tracking dogs).
  • Aug 26, 1975: Unrelated human remains (Ross Simmons) found in neighboring Sequoia NP.
  • Aug 27–Sep 2, 1975: Search scaled down; Sep 2 Park Service disbands search, presumes death.
  • May 1976: Estate hearing held.
  • September 1982: Family petitions to have Fred legally declared deceased; memorial service held.
  • 2008: Alleged FOIA request by daughter Judy (reported on Reddit).
  • 2024: NamUs case number created for Fred.

Key points & main takeaways

  • Fred was an experienced outdoorsman familiar with the Kings Canyon trails and was the group's designated leader.
  • The group (including men named Abe, Bud/Coyner, Bob and a hired supply packer) reported overshooting camp on Aug 19; Fred became frustrated, walked off alone, and was last seen carrying little gear.
  • Companions left a knapsack for him with food and beer; subsequent searchers found remnants of a campfire, food packaging, boot prints in wet ground, and a beer can ~1/4 mile away (reportedly not his usual brand).
  • Park Service mounted a substantial search (15 rangers initially, later >25 people, helicopter, tracking dogs) but found no physical evidence of an animal attack, drag marks, blood, or remains.
  • Fred’s wife, Lolita, disputed companion statements that he was diabetic or frail; she emphasized his competence and familiarity with the area.
  • The Park Service eventually scaled back and then ended the search, deeming survival unlikely; the case became cold.
  • Fred had a prominent civic/business past (Stanford econ degree, former San Luis Obispo councilman, involved in a high-profile 1950s malpractice suit).
  • Theories include animal attack, voluntary disappearance, or foul play. The episode considers each but finds no conclusive evidence; the lack of physical traces complicates most scenarios.
  • NamUs created an entry for him in 2024; the investigating agency listed is the National Park Service (Sequoia and Kings Canyon).

Notable quotes / insights

  • From a companion (Bud Coyner): “I’ll be damned if I’ll go back.” (Describing Fred’s reaction when they realized they’d overshot camp and his decision to walk off.)
  • Bud later: “Because he was familiar with the area and, as an experienced camper, should have known better than to stay in that wilderness by himself without proper supplies.”
  • Investigators treated foul play as a possibility, but no direct evidence of homicide was found.

Topics discussed

  • Disappearance and search operations in Kings Canyon National Park
  • Witness accounts and inconsistencies (companions vs. family)
  • Park Service search resources and scaling decisions
  • Fred Gist’s personal, civic, and legal history (including a notable malpractice lawsuit in the 1950s)
  • Theories about his disappearance (animal attack, voluntary disappearance, homicide)
  • Estate/administrative aftermath and later legal/record developments (estate hearing, FOIA, NamUs)
  • How remote terrain and seclusion make searches difficult

Theories evaluated (strengths & weaknesses)

  • Animal attack: possible due to environment, but weak because no physical evidence (remains, drag marks, carcass) was found.
  • Voluntary disappearance: unlikely given Fred’s ties, assets, family, and age.
  • Foul play: plausible but unproven. Questions remain about companions’ actions, the stray beer can, and whether investigators fully cleared those present.

Action items / recommendations (for investigators, family members, researchers)

  • If new information arises, contact the National Park Service, Sequoia and Kings Canyon: 559-565-4222.
  • Consult the NamUs entry (case created 2024) for updates and possible cross-referencing with unidentified remains.
  • Consider FOIA requests (if not already exhausted) for complete investigative records, search logs, and interview transcripts—particularly of companions and the supply packer.
  • Re-examine physical evidence (if preserved): the reported beer can, boot-print photos, and any original search area mapping with modern forensic or remote-sensing techniques.
  • For researchers: review estate hearing records and any ties between participants (e.g., the AH Brazil attorney mentioned) for potential motive or overlooked connections.

Final note

The episode frames Fred Gist’s disappearance as a perplexing cold case where seclusion, limited physical evidence, and inconsistent accounts left enduring questions. NamUs now lists the case, and while the likelihood of survival is negligible given the passage of time, unresolved investigative threads remain that could benefit from modern review or newly surfaced information.