In September 2020, the life of Calvin Isaac Danian, a 20-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan, took an abrupt and bewildering turn. While his family was away for a weekend, Isaac spoke to them about a 'great opportunity' in Hawaii that required him to leave immediately, though he was mysteriously unable to provide any details. His family was unsettled by this sudden and secretive plan, particularly as they had noticed significant changes in his behavior in the preceding months. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to have a profound effect on Isaac; his family reported that he had become increasingly paranoid, expressing beliefs that the virus and related health measures were part of a government scheme to control the population. Despite his family's pleas to stay and discuss the matter, they returned home to find that Isaac had already left. His car was later found at the Gerald R. Ford airport, and it was confirmed that on September 7, 2020, he had flown to Kona, Hawaii.
Upon arriving in Hawaii, Isaac's life became intertwined with that of a so-called online guru named Matthew Mellow, who also used the name Mortekai Eleazar. Mellow was recruiting young men for a voyage to the South Pacific, with the goal of establishing a new society free from the reach of COVID-19. Isaac was not alone in heeding this call; another young man, Shukree Abdul-Rashed, also left his life behind to join this venture in Hawaii. For a short time, Isaac maintained contact with his family, calling them periodically to assure them he was safe but remaining evasive about his activities. His final communication with his mother was on October 4, 2020, when he called to say he was 'off the grid' and that she would not hear from him for about a month. Shortly after, Isaac and Shukree boarded a sailboat named the 'Zulu Time,' captained by Mike Schmidt, and set sail from Hawaii, beginning a long and arduous journey across the Pacific Ocean.
The voyage of the 'Zulu Time' concluded in late November 2020 in the waters of Wallis and Futuna, a remote French island territory. On November 27th or 28th, as the sailboat navigated a channel in the Wallis lagoon, a shocking event occurred. Reportedly fearful of being tested for COVID-19 upon docking, both Isaac and Shukree jumped from the boat into the water. The captain of the vessel stated that due to the tight channel, he was unable to turn around and quickly lost sight of them. A French-led investigation was launched into their disappearance, exploring various possibilities. These included the theory that the two men drowned in the strong currents, that they managed to swim to one of the small, uninhabited islets in the lagoon, or that a more sinister event took place. The investigation ultimately concluded that the most probable scenario was that both men drowned. Since that day, there has been no sign of Calvin Isaac Danian or Shukree Abdul-Rashed; no remains have been discovered, and no financial or phone activity has been traced to them. The case remains a heartbreaking mystery, leaving their families with unanswered questions about the influence of misinformation and the final moments of their loved ones' lives.
Last Seen: Oct 04, 2020
