Leonard Taku, a 44-year-old teacher from New Zealand, was last seen on December 25, 2006, in Tampa, Florida. He was on vacation in the U.S. during a break from his teaching job in Ramsgate, England. On Christmas Day, he rented a black 2005 Chrysler Crossfire from Tampa International Airport. Taku had plans to meet someone, possibly someone he had met online, but he was never seen again after that morning. His family reported him missing after he failed to return to work on January 3, 2007.
Several clues surfaced after his disappearance. On December 26, a purchase was made using his credit card at a Gap store in Altamonte Springs, Florida, a purchase his family believed he made due to his preference for that brand. On December 28, someone checked his email, but it is unclear whether it was Taku or another person. By mid-January 2007, his credit card was used again to book a luxury hotel in Orlando, although his family doubted he would choose such an expensive place to stay, as he usually preferred cheaper accommodations.
Taku's rental car was found abandoned on February 9, 2007, in a remote part of the Ocala National Forest during a controlled burn. The scene yielded no signs of foul play or a struggle, though the fire may have destroyed crucial evidence. Investigators also explored the possibility that Taku, who was openly gay, may have been meeting men through online platforms during his trip. Despite these leads, no trace of Taku has been found, and his case remains unsolved. His family strongly believes that foul play was involved in his disappearance.
Last Seen: Dec 25, 2006
