Jason was last seen on a trip in the Big Sur area of northern California on August 4, 1988. He was accompanied by his father, Vito Russo, and two of Vito's employees, Stacy Sabal and Stephen LaSpino. They were aboard a commercial fishing vessel named The Mission Bell. The United States Coast Guard employed an extensive search of the Big Sur area after the group was reported missing on August 7, three days after they departed from port. The boat was never located and none of the passengers have been seen again. Their cases are unsolved.