The police initially weren’t worried, thinking Barrell might have just gone to visit friends. But his father, who regularly spoke with Barrell, became concerned when he didn’t hear from him. Barrell’s car and belongings, including his pet iguana, vanished from the apartment. Someone even cleaned out the apartment while a neighbor watched.

Then, in April 2002, it was discovered that Troy Baudoin, a former insurance adjuster who had previously hired Barrell, had stolen Barrell’s identity. Baudoin had been fired for embezzling over $200,000 and used Barrell’s identity to escape prosecution. He even bought a house in North Carolina using Barrell’s name.

The FBI tracked Baudoin to North Carolina, but before he could be arrested, a girlfriend told him police were asking questions about Barrell’s disappearance. Baudoin then committed suicide. Police believe Baudoin killed Barrell and hid his body, and suspect Ellison might know something, but Ellison has disappeared. Despite the evidence, Barrell’s body was never found, and his case remains unsolved. He was legally declared dead in 2009.