Throughout history, countless people have vanished without a trace, leaving behind unanswered questions and haunting mysteries. While some cases are eventually solved, others remain unsolved, puzzling investigators and fueling speculation. In the last decade, several chilling disappearances have gripped the public’s attention, each marked by strange circumstances and eerie details. These cases, filled with mystery and speculation, continue to baffle experts and raise more questions than answers.
1. The Vanishing of Lars Mittank (2014)
Lars Mittank was a 28-year-old German tourist who vanished without a trace from Varna Airport in Bulgaria in 2014. Before his disappearance, he had suffered a minor injury in a bar fight and was advised not to fly due to an ear infection. He began exhibiting paranoid behavior, telling his mother over the phone that he was being followed.
Surveillance footage from the airport shows him running in a panic, abandoning his luggage, and sprinting into a nearby forest. Despite searches, he was never seen again. His case remains one of the most puzzling unsolved disappearances in modern history.
2. The Strange Case of Brandon Swanson (2008)
Although slightly beyond the last decade, the disappearance of Brandon Swanson continues to intrigue investigators. The 19-year-old was driving home in Minnesota when his car veered off a rural road. He called his parents, saying he would walk to a nearby town for help.
During the call, his father suddenly heard Brandon shout an expletive before the line went dead. Extensive searches found his car but no trace of Brandon. Despite ongoing investigations, his fate remains unknown.
3. The Disappearance of Rebecca Coriam (2011)
Rebecca Coriam was a Disney cruise ship worker who vanished while aboard the Disney Wonder in 2011. Security footage captured her last known sighting, where she appeared distressed while speaking on the ship’s phone.
Her disappearance was ruled an accident, but many suspect foul play. Some passengers reported seeing a suspicious man in the area where she was last seen. The ship’s controlled environment and limited access points make her disappearance particularly unsettling.
4. The Case of Rico Harris (2014)
Rico Harris, a former semi-professional basketball player, was traveling from Los Angeles to Seattle when he mysteriously vanished. His abandoned car was found near a rural highway in California, with his backpack nearby.
Despite extensive searches, there was no sign of Rico. Strangely, days later, witnesses reported seeing a tall man matching his description walking along the road, only for him to disappear again. His case remains open, with no definitive answers.
5. The Bizarre Disappearance of Maura Murray (2004, Still Unsolved)
Though slightly older than a decade, the case of Maura Murray remains one of the most discussed unsolved disappearances. The 21-year-old college student crashed her car on a rural road in New Hampshire, telling a passerby she had called for help. When authorities arrived, she was gone.
No footprints, no signs of struggle, and no confirmed sightings of Maura have ever surfaced. Theories range from abduction to voluntary disappearance, but the case remains unsolved.
The Ongoing Mystery
These disappearances continue to baffle investigators and haunt the families left behind. Whether due to foul play, voluntary escape, or circumstances beyond understanding, they all share one thing in common—there are still no clear answers.
For more information on ongoing missing person cases, visit https://www.namus.gov
