Hurd was last seen in New York City, New York on February 18, 1937. He was employed as the manager of the real estate and mortgage department of Dows Estates, Inc. in the 10 block of Williams Street. Hurd went to work as usual and left at closing time. He had dinner at a restaurant and nightclub on east 54th Street, cashed a small check, and left.

At 9:00 p.m., Hurd crashed his Ford coupe convertible with New Jersey license plates numbered I-E 65231 into the pillar of an elevated railway structure at 3rd Avenue and 37th Street. He appeared to have suffered only minor injuries and was able to drive away. Hurd has not been seen or heard from since. He was separated from his wife at the time of his disappearance. His case remains unsolved.