15 missing persons cases that still haunt America, including one tied to AI
Every year, more than 500,000 Americans are reported missing. While most cases are resolved quickly, some remain open for decades, leaving families without answers and communities searching for the truth. From a young girl who vanished during a thunderstorm to a husband who disappeared after using an AI chatbot, these cases are a stark reminder that justice is not always swift.
The Springfield Three: A graduation night that ended in mystery
In 1992, Suzie Streeter and Stacy McCall celebrated their high school graduation in Springfield, Missouri. They stayed at Suzie's house with her mother, Sherrill Levitt. By morning, all three were gone. Their belongings, including purses and clothes, remained inside. Outside, a broken porch light was the only sign something was wrong. There were no signs of a struggle. The case remains unsolved.
Lars Mittank: A vacation gone wrong in Bulgaria
Lars Mittank was on vacation in Bulgaria when he got into a fight that damaged his eardrum. He stayed behind after his friends left to recover. His behavior became erratic. He texted his family, saying he was not safe and they should cancel his credit card. At the airport, he bolted from a doctor's office and was never seen again.
Jason Jolkowski: A walk that led to nowhere
Jason Jolkowski left his home in broad daylight to meet a coworker a few blocks away. He never arrived. No camera footage, no witnesses, no trace of him was ever found. He simply vanished.
Asha Degree: A 9-year-old walks into the night
Asha Degree left her home around 3 a.m. during a thunderstorm, carrying a backpack. A motorist tried to help her, but she ran into the woods. She was never seen again. Her backpack was found a year and a half later, wrapped in trash bags at a construction site. New search warrants were issued in 2024, but there is still no sign of her.
Amy Mihaljevic: A predator who called ahead
In 1989, 10-year-old Amy Mihaljevic went missing after a man called her home, claiming to be a family friend who wanted to help buy her mother a gift. She met him at a strip mall and was later found in a field with a homemade curtain. Other children also reported receiving similar calls. The man was never identified.
Angela Hammond: A phone call that turned into a nightmare
In 1991, Angela Hammond was abducted from a payphone while talking to her fiancé. He heard her scream and raced toward her. A truck passed him in the opposite direction, and he heard her screaming from inside. His car broke down as he tried to turn around. She was never found.
Martha Leanne Green: Vanished in minutes
Martha Leanne Green was waiting in a locked car while her twin brother went to get gas with a helpful family. He returned in about 10 minutes, and she was gone.
Jodi Huisentruit: An Iowa news anchor's disappearance
Jodi Huisentruit was a news anchor in Minnesota in 1995. She overslept and was late for work. When police arrived, they found signs of a struggle outside her apartment, including a bent car key and her shoes. She was never found. The case remains active.
Michael Negrete: A college dorm disappearance
Michael Negrete, a UCLA music student, played an online video game with a friend until 4 a.m. He left to congratulate the other player and was last seen returning to his room. His roommate woke up at 9 a.m. to find him gone, but his clothes, wallet, and keys were still there.
Brian Shaffer: A bar with no exit
Brian Shaffer, a medical student, walked into a crowded bar in Columbus, Ohio. Security cameras captured him entering, but there is no footage of him leaving. He was never found.
Jennifer Kesse: A car that held the only clue
Jennifer Kesse disappeared in 2006. Her car was found a mile from her apartment. A security camera captured the person parking it, but the person's face was blocked by fencing in every frame. The suspect remains unidentified.
Brittney Wood: A family secret exposed
Brittney Wood vanished in 2012 after leaving her mother's home to meet her uncle. Her uncle was found dead of a gunshot wound. Investigators uncovered a multi-generational child sexual abuse network. Eleven people were arrested. Brittney has never been found.
Susan Cox Powell: A case that ended in tragedy
Susan Cox Powell disappeared in 2009. Her husband, Josh Powell, was the main suspect. In 2012, he killed their two sons and himself in a murder-suicide. His father was later convicted of voyeurism and child pornography.
Jon Ganz: An AI chatbot may have played a role
Jon Ganz disappeared in April 2025 in Thomasville, Missouri. His wife, Rachel, says he had been using Google's Gemini AI assistant for 13 days and suffered a psychotic break. He believed he had found a cure for cancer and solved the Riemann Hypothesis. His car was found with his belongings inside, including his phone. He has not been seen since.
Nolan Wells: A teen's body found, but questions remain
Nolan Wells, a Black teenager, went missing on a trip with white friends in Mississippi. They returned without him and had his phone. His body was found on July 6, but the cause of death is undetermined. The case is still under investigation.
FAQ
How many people go missing in the US each year?
More than 500,000 people are reported missing in the United States every year.
What is the Springfield Three case?
Three people vanished from a home in Springfield, Missouri, in 1992. Their belongings were left behind, and there were no signs of a struggle.
What happened to Jodi Huisentruit?
Jodi Huisentruit, a news anchor, disappeared in 1995. Signs of a struggle were found outside her apartment. She has never been found.
Is there a connection between AI and missing persons?
In the case of Jon Ganz, his wife believes his use of an AI chatbot contributed to a psychotic break that led to his disappearance.