David Paulides is an American author and former police officer known for his work on missing persons cases in national parks. He gained prominence through his book series titled Missing 411, which investigates mysterious disappearances and unusual circumstances surrounding them. Paulides has become a controversial figure due to his theories about these cases, suggesting possible connections to paranormal phenomena or other unexplained factors. His research has sparked interest and debate among enthusiasts of true crime and the unexplained, leading to a dedicated following and various media appearances.