Gary James Swanson, 32, was last seen by relatives at his Aledo, Illinois home on the evening of May 22, 2003, in the 1400 block of 120th Avenue. Family described him as religious and family-oriented. He left a note and a voicemail saying not to worry and that he would be safe. Swanson is very tall at six feet eight inches, about 225 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes and wears silver wire-frame glasses. He has a bulldog tattoo with the words Big Dog on his right shoulder blade and another bulldog tattoo on his right inner ankle. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with a Chevrolet emblem, blue jeans and size 14 brown Red Wing work boots.

That same evening his dog was found tied at a local convenience store. Two days later his 2001 Chevrolet Malibu was found abandoned and burned on a county road in Loraine near Quincy.

The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office lists the case as active and the family continues to seek answers. If anyone knew Gary or saw him or his vehicle in late May 2003, please share what can help the investigation.