Jacob Cabinaw, a 31-year-old technical science student, vanished on March 31, 2010, after a seemingly normal evening in Traverse City, Michigan. Despite several sightings of his car across multiple states, his whereabouts remain unknown, and his family is still searching for answers over 15 years later.
What Happened
On March 31, 2010, Jacob Cabinaw spent the evening playing frisbee golf with friends at a beachside park in Traverse City, Michigan. He declined an invitation to join them for drinks, mentioning that he had to study for school. Jacob, who had a girlfriend and two children, drove off in his silver 2002 Chevy Malibu, which had minor damage to the passenger side.
At 1 a.m. on April 1, Jacob made a call to Northwestern Michigan College to confirm his enrollment, a requirement for his GI benefits. Later that morning, at 2:00 a.m., he used his bank card to buy gas in Mattawan, Michigan, located southwest of Kalamazoo. This was the last confirmed purchase before he drove further south.
Sightings Across the States
Jacob’s car was later spotted in several locations, starting with a sighting in Missouri, where a police officer noted his license plate. Three hours later, an officer in Arkansas saw Jacob’s car parked at the Brentwood Rest Area in West Fork, Arkansas, near the Texas and Oklahoma borders. The next confirmed sighting came on April 2, when Jacob’s debit card was used to buy gas in Sweetwater, Texas, over 1,000 miles from Traverse City. Security camera footage showed him there.
This marked the last known sighting of Jacob. His debit card was never used again, and his cell phone has not been active since April 1, 2010. Notably, he left home without his cell phone charger, adding to the mystery of his disappearance.
Theories and Family’s Belief
While police considered the possibility that Jacob may have walked out of his life and traveled to Texas or even Mexico, his family believes that Jacob would never abandon his life, especially his two children in Michigan. At the time of his disappearance, Jacob was a technical science student at Northwestern Michigan College and a member of the National Guard. He worked at Dave’s Garage and owned $20,000 worth of tools, which raises more questions about why he would leave everything behind.
The Ongoing Search
Despite the passage of time, Jacob’s family and friends continue to search for answers. They remain hopeful that he can be found, believing that his disappearance remains unsolved due to unknown circumstances.
How You Can Help
If you have any information on the disappearance of Jacob Cabinaw, you are urged to contact the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department detective bureau at 231-995-5002. Every lead brings hope to his family that one day they will find the answers they’ve been searching for.
Closing Line:
Jacob Cabinaw’s case remains one of Michigan’s most baffling mysteries, and his family continues to hold on to the hope that one day, he will return home. Your information could make all the difference in bringing closure to this heart-wrenching case.
