In the early morning hours of February 21, 2022, 25-year-old Aaron Cody Fortner vanished from his residence in Sylva, North Carolina. He was last seen at his camper, which was situated near his family's home on Fox Trace Road. In the time leading up to his disappearance, family members noted that he had been acting strangely and seemed scared. He made several unsettling phone calls to his grandparents, claiming he didn't know his whereabouts and that people were searching for him.
Concerned by these calls, his sister went to check on him, only to find the camper empty. The scene inside was chaotic and uncharacteristic of Aaron, who was known to be tidy. His personal belongings, including his wallet, keys, and phone charger, were left behind, with only his phone missing.
The state of the camper immediately raised alarm among his family. The lights and an electric blanket had been left on, and the camper was in disarray, a stark contrast to its neat condition the previous day. This led his family to believe that he did not leave voluntarily. An extensive search was launched in the days following his disappearance, with over a hundred people, including law enforcement and various rescue teams, combing the area surrounding his home. Despite their efforts, no significant leads were discovered, and the active 'boots on the ground' investigation was eventually called off, shifting to an ongoing investigation of leads and interviews. His phone has shown no activity since he went missing, and there has been no activity on his social media accounts.
The circumstances surrounding Aaron's disappearance remain a mystery. It is considered uncharacteristic of him to leave without informing his family. A neighbor's security camera captured a white Toyota 4Runner entering the driveway on the day of his disappearance, though it is unknown if this vehicle is connected to the case. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation continue to seek information from the public. Aaron, who also used the names Cody Black, Cody Smith, and Aaron Winehouse, is described as having brown hair and brown eyes, and several distinctive tattoos, including a geometric deer on his right wrist and a paw print and wolf design on his left upper arm. The lack of any communication or evidence of his whereabouts has left his family in a state of uncertainty, holding onto hope for answers in the disappearance of their loved one.Last Seen: Feb 21, 2022
