An unidentified man broke into the Owens family's apartment in eastern Menlo Park, California late in the night on February 3, 1983. The intruder entered through a window and attacked and severely beat Mitchell's mother, Ora Owens. Her three sons were at home with her at the time. Mitchell woke up and walked into the room while the beating was taking place. Ora screamed at him to run away. The attacker than attempted to strangle Ora with a telephone cord and she passed out. Neighbors found her the next day and she was taken to the hospital but Mitchell has never been heard from again. Mitchell has a scar on the upper portion of his nose. He has a surgical scar on his left rib area. Mitchell has a lazy right eyelid.