The Vanishing at Lucky 7: The Unsolved Disappearance of Max Phillip Greenfield
In the early morning hours of March 18, 2018, 25-year-old Max Phillip Greenfield walked out of the Lucky 7 Casino in Smith River, California, alongside an unidentified man. Within twenty minutes, the man returned to the casino alone. Max Greenfield was never seen again. More than seven years later, his disappearance remains one of Northern California's most perplexing missing person cases, leaving investigators with more questions than answers and a family desperate for closure.
The case of Max Greenfield represents everything that makes missing person investigations both fascinating and heartbreaking. Police believe multiple people have knowledge of what happened to him, yet despite extensive investigation, searches, and media coverage, the truth about what happened that night continues to elude authorities. The surveillance footage from the casino provides a tantalizing glimpse of Max's final known moments, but it raises more questions than it answers.
The Life of Max Greenfield
Max Phillip Greenfield was born on April 4, 1992, to mother Andrea Greenfield. He grew up in California, attending Laguna Hills High School before pursuing higher education at Portland State University. His artistic inclinations led him to study art at The Art Institute in Portland, Oregon, demonstrating a creative spirit that would define much of his young adult life.
By 2018, Max was living with his mother in Brookings, Oregon, having previously spent time in the Los Angeles area. According to his family, Greenfield suffered from mental illness, a condition for which he was on medication. Like many young adults struggling with mental health challenges, Max had also battled substance abuse issues in the past, including previous heroin use. Despite these struggles, he maintained close relationships with his family members, particularly his mother and sister.
Max was a regular patron at the Lucky 7 Casino, which sat just fifteen minutes away from his mother's home in Brookings. The casino, located in Smith River, California, operated twenty-four hours a day and had become a familiar destination for Max. His frequent visits there meant he was comfortable with the environment and likely knew some of the staff and other regular customers.
The Final Weekend
The events leading to Max's disappearance began on March 16, 2018, when he spent an evening at the Lucky 7 Casino with his sister. They had a drink together and enjoyed what would be their final night out as siblings. The evening passed without incident, and Max returned home to his mother's house in Brookings that night.
On March 17, 2018, Greenfield's last conversation with his mother was around 10:00 p.m., when they said goodnight. Following their established routine, Andrea Greenfield left Max's medication on the counter so he would remember to take it the following morning. This simple act would later become one of the first indicators that something was terribly wrong.
Later that evening, Max reached out to friends via messaging, asking for transportation back to the Lucky 7 Casino. His request wasn't unusual given his regular patronage of the establishment and his lack of personal transportation. He didn't drive or own a car, and relied on his family for support. His friends agreed to give him a ride, picking him up from his mother's house in the early morning hours of March 18.
The Night Everything Changed
On March 18, 2018, Greenfield was shown on security footage entering the Lucky 7 Casino around 1:00 a.m. The surveillance cameras captured his arrival, showing a young man who appeared comfortable and familiar with his surroundings. What happened next would become the central mystery of the entire case.
He exited the building shortly after and waited for some time near the backdoor. This behavior suggests he may have been waiting for someone or perhaps was engaged in some form of communication that drew him outside. The surveillance footage shows him lingering in this area, though the specific reasons for his actions remain unclear.
By 1:50 a.m., Greenfield returned to the casino's front door and met an adult white male with whom he spoke for several minutes. The security cameras captured this interaction, showing what appeared to be a conversation between Max and this unidentified individual. The two were last seen walking south across the parking lot adjacent to U.S. Highway 101.
The timeline becomes crucial at this point. Eighteen minutes later, the man was seen on security footage returning alone to the casino, but Greenfield was nowhere to be seen. This eighteen-minute window represents the last confirmed timeframe in which Max Greenfield was alive and the beginning of one of the most baffling disappearances in recent California history.
The Discovery and Initial Investigation
Around 6:00 a.m., Greenfield's mother left for work but noticed that his medication was still on the counter. This discovery immediately raised red flags for Andrea Greenfield, who knew her son's routine and the importance of his daily medication. When Max failed to return home or make contact with his family over the following days, their concern escalated rapidly.
On March 20, 2018, his family filed a missing person's report with the Curry County Sheriff's Office when they couldn't contact him. The timing was significant because it demonstrated that Max's absence was completely out of character. It's uncharacteristic of him to be out of touch with his sister and his mother; he had never before gone more than a day or two without contacting them.
Law enforcement moved quickly once the missing person report was filed. Almost immediately after the initial report, law enforcement revealed that Greenfield had been spotted on security camera footage outside of the Lucky 7 Casino. This surveillance footage would become the cornerstone of the investigation, providing the last confirmed sighting of Max and establishing a clear timeline for investigators to follow.
Authorities identified the white male last seen with Greenfield in the security footage and questioned him. The man, whose identity has not been publicly released, stated he and Greenfield parted ways after leaving the casino. Despite multiple interviews with this individual, his story has remained consistent, though investigators have not ruled out his potential involvement in Max's disappearance.
The Investigation Unfolds
The investigation into Max Greenfield's disappearance has been extensive and multifaceted. Investigators have questioned numerous other people in the case as well, including the friends who drove Max to the casino, and the other friends that Max planned to meet that night. Law enforcement has been careful to protect the integrity of the investigation by not publicly identifying these individuals.
Several searches with cadaver dogs have been conducted—none of which turned up any clues. These searches have covered various areas around Smith River and the broader Del Norte County region, focusing on locations where a body might be concealed. The fact that these searches have yielded no results has only deepened the mystery surrounding Max's fate.
Numerous search warrants have been executed in the investigation as well. While investigators have not detailed the specific focus of these warrants, they have confirmed that the searches were comprehensive and covered multiple aspects of the case. Interestingly, detectives confirmed that none of them involved the man Max was seen with on the casino's surveillance footage, suggesting that other individuals or locations have drawn investigative attention.
The technological aspects of the case have presented unique challenges for investigators. Authorities were unable to track Greenfield's movements through cell phone towers as his phone wasn't associated with a phone number. Greenfield's cellular phone was WiFi only and had no data, and there's been no electronic trace of it since it disconnected from the casino's WiFi. This limitation has significantly hampered efforts to trace Max's movements after leaving the casino.
Evidence Left Behind
The items Max left behind paint a picture of someone who expected to return home. He left behind his favorite jacket, his identification and his food stamp card. These weren't items that someone planning to disappear would typically abandon, especially given Max's reliance on family support and his need for identification and assistance programs.
Greenfield's only method of communication was Wi-Fi-enabled messaging such as Facebook Messenger. His phone record, bank account, and social media have had no activity since his disappearance. This complete absence of digital activity strongly suggests that whatever happened to Max occurred shortly after he left the casino that night.
The physical description of Max at the time of his disappearance provides important details for anyone who might have encountered him. Greenfield has brown hair, green eyes, and his nose is pierced. He has a tattoo of a skeleton key on his left forearm. These distinguishing features would make him recognizable to anyone who had interacted with him during his final hours.
Family Perspective and Ongoing Pain
The impact of Max's disappearance on his family cannot be overstated. His sister Tonya Brown said the search is a "never ending nightmare," continuing to look for him as law enforcement does. The emotional toll of not knowing what happened to their loved one has been devastating for the Greenfield family.
"He was my favorite person," Brown said. "That's my little brother. He was really sweet. He has issues but that's still our family member." This statement captures the complex emotions families of missing persons experience - acknowledging their loved one's struggles while emphasizing their inherent worth and the depth of their loss.
As time has passed, the family's perspective has evolved from hope to a more realistic assessment of the situation. Brown said as more time goes by, the chances of finding him alive is less likely. "After the first week, we realized that he was probably dead because he wouldn't do that to us," Brown said. This heartbreaking acceptance reflects the reality many families of long-term missing persons must face.
His father lived hundreds of miles away and was sick when Greenfield disappeared; he has since died. This added tragedy means that Max's father passed away without ever learning what happened to his son, adding another layer of sadness to an already devastating situation.
Law Enforcement Perspective
Investigators have been clear about their belief that Max's disappearance was not voluntary. Foul play is suspected in Greenfield's disappearance. This assessment is based on multiple factors, including Max's established patterns of behavior, his close family relationships, and the circumstances surrounding his last known activities.
The lead investigator in the case told reporters, "we believe there are several people involved who have knowledge but may not be giving it up to us." This statement suggests that the investigation has identified individuals who likely possess crucial information about Max's fate but have chosen not to share it with authorities.
The investigation has involved multiple law enforcement agencies. Both the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office in California and the Curry County Sheriff's Office in Oregon have been involved, reflecting the cross-border nature of Max's case and the need for inter-agency cooperation.
Recent Developments and Hope for Resolution
After years without any real updates to the case, the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office said on Tuesday that it had received "new relevant information" and is looking at new potential evidence in the case. This development, announced in December 2021, provided the first significant update in the case in several years.
"DNSO investigators will be conducting interviews and processing the evidence in the coming weeks, and we anticipate significant progress in the investigation. It is hoped that this case can be brought to a conclusion soon," the agency said. While the specific nature of this new information has not been disclosed, the announcement generated renewed hope among Max's family and supporters.
However, it's important to note that as of 2025, no major breakthroughs have been publicly announced despite these optimistic statements from 2021. In 2021, it was hinted that there were new developments in the case, but it appears that have not been any updates since then. This silence has left many wondering whether the promised developments materialized or if the investigation has once again stalled.
The Broader Context
Max Greenfield's case fits into the broader category of missing persons cases that involve young adults struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. These cases often present unique challenges for investigators, as the missing person's lifestyle or circumstances may initially lead to assumptions about voluntary disappearance. However, as Max's case demonstrates, these assumptions can be dangerous and counterproductive to effective investigation.
The location of Max's disappearance also adds complexity to the case. Smith River, California, sits near the Oregon border in a relatively remote area of the Pacific Northwest. The proximity to Highway 101 provides easy access for someone looking to quickly leave the area, while the rural nature of the region offers numerous locations where evidence could be concealed.
The casino setting adds another dimension to the investigation. Casinos typically have extensive surveillance systems, which provided crucial evidence in Max's case. However, they also attract diverse crowds and can be associated with various forms of criminal activity, potentially complicating the investigation.
Ongoing Efforts and Public Appeal
There is a monetary reward for anyone who can lead to Max's location. While the specific amount of the reward has not been consistently reported across sources, the existence of financial incentive demonstrates the family's commitment to finding answers about Max's fate.
Law enforcement continues to encourage public participation in the investigation. Anyone with information regarding Greenfield's disappearance is asked to contact the DNSO at 707-464-4191. The agencies have also provided options for anonymous tips, recognizing that some individuals with information may be reluctant to come forward openly.
The case has maintained a presence in true crime communities and missing person advocacy groups. Social media platforms, particularly Facebook and TikTok, have been used to share Max's story and keep his case in the public eye. These efforts by volunteers and advocates complement the official investigation and help ensure that Max's disappearance is not forgotten.
Unanswered Questions
Several critical questions remain unanswered in Max Greenfield's case. What was the nature of his conversation with the unidentified man at the casino? Why did he leave the building initially, only to return to the front entrance? What happened during the eighteen-minute period when he was away from the casino with the unknown individual?
The identity and motivations of the man last seen with Max continue to be central to the investigation. While this individual has been interviewed multiple times and his story has remained consistent, the lack of public information about his identity or the specific nature of his interactions with Max leaves room for speculation and concern.
The absence of any physical evidence or additional witnesses from that night is particularly puzzling. Despite occurring in a relatively public location near a major highway and casino, no additional witnesses have come forward with information about seeing Max or the man he was with during their crucial eighteen-minute absence.
The Continuing Search for Truth
As Max Greenfield's case approaches its eighth year without resolution, it serves as a stark reminder of how quickly someone can vanish and how difficult it can be to piece together the truth when key witnesses remain silent. Max remains missing today. Investigators strongly believe that foul play is responsible for his disappearance.
The case highlights the importance of immediate action when someone goes missing, the value of surveillance technology in investigations, and the crucial role that public cooperation plays in solving missing person cases. It also demonstrates the enduring pain that families experience when their loved ones disappear without explanation.
For Andrea Greenfield, Tonya Brown, and the rest of Max's family, each day without answers represents another day of uncertainty and grief. Their continued advocacy for their missing son and brother keeps his case alive in the public consciousness and maintains pressure on investigators to pursue every possible lead.
The disappearance of Max Phillip Greenfield remains an open investigation, with law enforcement continuing to follow up on tips and leads as they develop. Until someone comes forward with the truth about what happened during those critical eighteen minutes on March 18, 2018, Max's family will continue their heartbreaking wait for answers, and his case will remain one of Northern California's most troubling unsolved mysteries.
Sources
- The Charley Project - Max Phillip Greenfield
- Disappeared Blog - The Disappearance of Max Greenfield
- True Case Files - The Disappearance of Max Greenfield
- KDRV - Del Norte County Sheriff's Office hints at developments in Max Greenfield disappearance case
- KTVL - Search continues for missing Brookings man, Max Greenfield
- NBC News Dateline - Max Greenfield seen on surveillance footage at Lucky 7 Casino
- National Missing and Unidentified Persons System - Max Phillip Greenfield
