In the late summer of 2019, 41-year-old Joshua Simiskey traveled from his father's residence in Tacoma to Port Angeles, Washington. His last confirmed sighting was on October 7, 2019. On that day, a park ranger in Olympic National Park encountered Joshua walking shoeless and gave him a ride to the Shadow Mountain area. He was without camping supplies and appeared unprepared for the conditions, refusing any further assistance from the ranger.
At the time of his disappearance, Joshua was described as a white male, 5'7' to 5'10' tall, weighing between 150 and 190 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Leading up to his disappearance, Joshua's behavior had become a source of concern for his family. He had informed them of his intention to embark on a 'spiritual journey.' In early October, his mother deposited $3,000 into his bank account after he expressed a desire to help a woman he had recently met. On October 6, he left a voicemail for his father stating he had given away his car and other possessions. In a disturbing message to his father from a disposable phone, Joshua said, 'I have given all my belongings to this person and I'm in trouble,' and asked his father to come get him. His family's subsequent search for him was unsuccessful. After he went missing, the woman he had mentioned was found in possession of his car, phone, wallet, and identification, along with letters purportedly from Joshua stating he was giving her all his belongings. She claimed he was on a 'journey of self-discovery' and would return when he was ready.
The investigation into Joshua's disappearance has been fraught with perplexing developments. There were credible, though unconfirmed, sightings of him in Sequim, Washington, in the weeks following his last contact. In one instance, a person reported speaking with someone they believed to be Joshua at a Burger King, who confirmed his identity but stated he did not want to be contacted. In a more grim turn, a hand-drawn map surfaced, claiming to show his burial site at a homeless encampment on private property in Port Angeles. Law enforcement conducted an extensive excavation of the area but found no remains. The case is an overview of a man who was in a vulnerable state, struggling with addiction and homelessness, at the time he vanished. The conflicting accounts of his state of mind, the bizarre transfer of his possessions, and the unverified sightings have created a complex and heart-wrenching mystery for his family and investigators.Last Seen: Oct 7, 2019
