Tiburcio Vasquez, born in 1835 in Monterey, became one of California's most notorious bandits, believed to have hidden vast treasures across the state of California. His criminal activities climaxed with the violent Tres Piños incident of 1873, resulting in his capture and subsequent execution in 1875, leaving behind tales of buried gold that captivate treasure hunters to this day. This fascination with Vasquez's supposed hidden treasures forms a unique chapter in the chronicles of lost treasures in California, stirring the curiosity of adventurers and historians alike.

Among those captivated by the allure of finding Vasquez's treasure was Robert Merton Fuller, a Los Angeles machinist, who in the 1950s poured his resources and zeal into unearthing the treasure allegedly buried in the Santa Susana mountains. Fuller's tragic end in July 1954, found dead at the bottom of a 40-foot shaft, only deepened the mystery and speculation surrounding the treasure's existence. Whether Fuller met his demise finding the treasure, fell victim to foul play, or succumbed to natural causes remains a subject of debate, enriching the lore of California's gold and treasure pursuits.