On January 2, 1996, 20-year-old Eric Lee Mason was last seen in Greenville, South Carolina. Originally from Kings Mountain, North Carolina, he had traveled to Greenville for a job interview. The day before his disappearance, he spoke to his mother on the phone, telling her the interview was successful and that he had gotten the job. He was last seen at the Salvation Army shelter on Rutherford Street. After that day, his family never heard from him again and reported him missing. At the time of his disappearance, Mason was described as a white male, 5'11" and 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He had scars on both knees.
In February 2004, a hunter discovered a human skull on private property off Well Mountain Road near Westminster, in the foothills of Oconee County. Further searching revealed additional bones. Investigators determined the remains belonged to a white male, likely in his 20s, who had been deceased for several years. For years, the identity of this individual remained a mystery. In 2007, DNA samples were sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification. In June 2026, through DNA analysis, the remains were officially identified as those of Eric Lee Mason.
Official reports have now confirmed that Eric Mason, who went missing from Greenville, South Carolina in 1996, is deceased. His remains were discovered in a wooded area in Oconee County in 2004 but were not identified until many years later. The cause and manner of his death have not been determined. Key questions remain unanswered, including how he traveled from Greenville to the remote location where he was found. The Greenville Police Department is still seeking information regarding his disappearance, while the Oconee County Sheriff's Office is investigating his death.
Last Seen: Jan 02, 1996
