Eugene was last seen between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. on August 12, 1984 in his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. He was preparing to start delivering his morning newspaper route at the time. He normally delivered the papers with his older stepbrother, but his stepbrother was not with him that day.

Witnesses saw Eugene talking to a man between 5:00 and 5:15 a.m. at southwest 12th Street and Highview Drive. The man is described as clean-cut, and he appeared to be in his thirties. He has never been identified. They were reportedly engaged in friendly conversation.
SOURCES:
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81885830/
https://www.newspapers.com/image/546159760/?terms=Eugene%20Martin&match=1
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/8dmia.html
https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/eugene-martin-case-remains-open-after-31-years/524-02cb76a5-43bd-4297-af0d-5275df5aee9e
https://charleyproject.org/case/eugene-wade-martin
https://iowacoldcases.org/case-summaries/johnny-gosch/
https://www.radioiowa.com/2017/07/20/johnny-goschs-red-wagon-to-be-displayed-at-iowa-state-fair/
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2012/04/etan-patz-case-why-did-dairies-put-missing-children-on-their-milk-cartons.html
Websleuths.com
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
“AROUND THE NATION: Des Moines Man Sought In Boy’s Disappearance,” The New York Times, Aug. 15, 1984
“Missing Newspaper Boy’s Father Dies,” KCCI.com, Dec. 29, 2010
Donald J Martin (1945 – 2010) – Find A Grave Memorial
“Cold Case: Des Moines paperboy Eugene Martin,” by Aaron Brilbeck, WHO-TV Channel 13 Des Moines, July 8, 2010
“Hansen: 25 years later, Eugene Martin case still haunts,” The Des Moines Register, Aug. 12, 2009
“New Picture Released In 25-Year-Old Case,” KCCI.com, Aug. 5, 2009
“Years drag on for parents of missing boys,” by Rod Boshart, The Cedar Rapids Gazette, Saturday, August 12, 1989
“Gosch, Martin only ‘stranger abduction’ cases on missing list,” by Rod Boshart, The Cedar Rapids Gazette, Saturday, August 12, 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hvTC_i6aDQ
https://www.reddit.com/r/UnsolvedMysteries/comments/dru51z/eugene_martin_and_johnny_gosch_case/