Joseph Zak, a 34-year-old autistic man, disappeared on December 7, 2015, from a group home in Brookston, Minnesota, located on a 160-acre rural farm. He had been living there for several years and was last seen at 7:15 a.m., behaving normally as he prepared for the day. However, when he did not return after going into his room to take a shower, staff discovered that he had left the home through a bathroom window.
Joseph left behind his medications, which he required for various mental and physical health conditions, including autism and depression. Due to his disabilities, Joseph was considered highly vulnerable.
Joseph had previously wandered off in the past, and during one such instance, he was found in a river suffering from psychological distress. Despite extensive search efforts, including a brief cellphone signal picked up near Esko, Minnesota, and a cadaver dog detecting a scent near the St. Louis River, no trace of Joseph has been found. Investigators fear that he may have drowned in a local body of water, but his case remains unsolved. His family, who kept in regular contact with him, continues to seek closure.
The case has remained open, with local authorities and his family still hoping for answers regarding Joseph's whereabouts.Last Seen: Dec 7, 2015
