Two days later, his car was found locked at a rest stop about 200 miles away in Wisconsin, near a place he’d hiked before. Inside were his backpack, some blankets (found near the river), and his pants with his wallet and keys (partially in the river). There was also a receipt showing he’d been at a state park earlier that day, an empty bottle of sleep medication, and a copy of the book “Into the Wild,” about a young man who died seeking adventure.

Lee left letters for his family and girlfriend. While not explicitly suicidal, one letter to his mother said, “I’ll finally get to sleep,” and apologized for being a coward. Despite a large search, Lee was never found, and police believe he’s not in that area.

Before his disappearance, Lee was a high-achieving high school senior. He’d dealt with depression years earlier but had recovered. He was active in his community and had plans for after graduation, making his sudden disappearance all the more puzzling and concerning for his family. The case remains a mystery.