In the summer of 2025, a 70-year-old man named Carol Mattis, also known to some as 'Carl,' disappeared under troubling circumstances from New Jersey. He was last seen on the evening of July 19, 2025, inside his bar. Plans were in place for him to fly to Jamaica the following day, a trip he would never make. When he failed to board his flight and could not be reached, concern began to grow among those who knew him. Communication from Mr.
Mattis ceased entirely after that evening, marking the beginning of a distressing and unresolved missing person case. He is described as a Black male, standing between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighing between 130 and 170 pounds. At the time he went missing, he had gray or partially gray hair, brown eyes, and wore glasses.
The investigation into his disappearance took a more alarming turn several weeks later. On August 8, 2025, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GL450 SUV belonging to Mr. Mattis was discovered abandoned in Newark, in the vicinity of Badger Avenue and Ridgewood Avenue. The gray vehicle was conspicuous not only for its presence but for the fact that both of its license plates had been removed. Authorities later located the plates, registered as S12MZB, in an open lot a block away from the vehicle, near Badger Avenue and West Alpine Street. This discovery deepened the mystery surrounding his whereabouts and intensified the fears of his family and friends. The East Orange Police Department launched an investigation into what they have classified as an involuntary disappearance.
The case of Carol Mattis remains an active investigation, fraught with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss for his community. The circumstances of his disappearance, particularly his failure to take a planned international trip and the subsequent discovery of his abandoned and stripped vehicle, suggest a grim scenario. Law enforcement and his loved ones continue to seek information that might lead to a breakthrough. The overview of this case highlights a sudden and unexpected departure from his known plans, followed by the suspicious abandonment of his car, leaving a trail of uncertainty. The search for answers continues as those who care for him hold out hope for his safe return.Last Seen: Jul 19, 2025