Matthew Pendergrast was 23 and two weeks from graduating from Rhodes College when he vanished on the morning of December 1, 2000. Between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. he was seen leaving his residence in Memphis to drive four blocks to a Spanish class; he called a friend in Atlanta that morning and was never heard from again.

That afternoon, at about 2:00 p.m., his navy 1998 Toyota 4Runner was found unlocked with the keys in the ignition on a private dirt road in Lonoke County, Arkansas, near the Bayou Meta. His backpack remained inside. Roughly 100 yards from the vehicle, a pile of his clothing — jeans (with his wallet in the pocket), t-shirt, shoes and socks — was recovered. The wallet still held his driver’s license, credit cards and $46 in cash.

The Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office and Arkansas State Police searched the swampy area with dogs, helicopters and boats using sonar, while Memphis police searched his apartment. His family says he had no known ties to that area and does not believe he would take his own life. The case remains classified as an endangered missing person and is considered suspicious. If anyone knew Matthew, saw his 4Runner that morning, or has information about his movements in Arkansas, please come forward.