In the fall of 2012, concern grew for the well-being of 36-year-old Lee Steven Ochs. He was last seen on October 29, 2012, at his construction job site located north of Leadville, Colorado, near the Climax Mine. At the time of his disappearance, Ochs was on strictly monitored probation which required him to live with his parents, wear an ankle monitor, and check in with his probation officer daily. He was also known to take medication regularly, which was later found left behind.
The circumstances surrounding his initial disappearance are not publicly known, but the events that followed have created a long-standing mystery.
Two weeks after he was last seen, Ochs's vehicle was discovered abandoned on Methodist Mountain. The car was located at the end of County Road 110 in Salida, Colorado. Investigators examining the vehicle found no immediate signs of foul play. However, the discovery of his wallet, cell phone, and necessary medication inside the car raised significant suspicion among authorities. These personal items, which one would expect a person to have with them, were left behind, suggesting that his disappearance was not voluntary. An extensive search of the area was conducted by the Chaffee County Search and Rescue, which included the use of cadaver dogs, but these efforts yielded no clues as to his whereabouts.
The investigation into Lee Ochs's disappearance has been complex from the start. At the time he went missing, he was wanted on two felony warrants from Arapahoe County and was described as having violent tendencies. Authorities have treated his case as a possible homicide due to the suspicious nature of the evidence found, or lack thereof. Ochs is noted as being highly intelligent and had received a degree in criminal justice. The combination of his legal troubles, the discovery of his abandoned car with essential personal items inside, and the lack of any contact since late October 2012 has left his family and investigators with many unanswered questions. His case remains an active and unsolved missing person investigation.Last Seen: Oct 29, 2012
