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A college student, inspired by Jack Kerouac, leaves on a cross-country trip and never returns.
CASE DETAILS In March of 2000, two people jogging on Mount Baker in Washington State noticed a piece of clothing dangling from a tree branch. When they investigated, they found that an SUV had plunged over a steep embankment. There were no signs of anyone, or any indication that someone had been injured. A passport, money, and some clothing were found inside the car.  Was Leah in the car when it crashed? Police traced the jeep to missing 23-year-old college student, Leah Roberts. Nine days earlier, Leah had left her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, without telling anyone where she was going. Suzie Smith was a friend of Leah’s:
When Leah was in her early 20s, her mother died unexpectedly. Then Leah was in a near-fatal car accident, and, finally, after a long illness, her father died. Leah’s brother, Heath, thinks these events deeply affected his sister:
 Why would Leah leave everything behind? Leah found comfort in the writings of Jack Kerouac, the Beat Generation author who wrote about the free-spirited road trips he took across America. Leah’s favorite was called The Dharma Bums. It’s a story that encourages the reader to leave behind the materialism of modern life. Part of that book takes place at a forest fire lookout on Desolation Peak, near Mount Baker in Washington State. Another of Leah’s friends, Jeannine Quiller, confirmed that Leah had mentioned the location to her:
It appears that Leah Roberts secretly decided to turn her dream into a reality. Just three months before she was to graduate from college, she packed up most of her cherished belongings and her cat Bea, and took off for Desolation Peak, 3,000 miles across the country. Leah’s family and friends filed a missing persons report and checked bank records for any activity on her account. She had made several cash withdrawals, tracing a route towards the West Coast. It took her only three days to get to Oregon. Leah’s sister Kara decided to see what she could find at her sister’s house. On Leah’s dresser, Kara discovered a cryptic note:
 A search team found no evidence Five days later, Leah’s SUV was discovered in Mount Baker National Forest near Desolation Peak. But Leah was nowhere to be found. Authorities estimate that the car was traveling about 40 miles per hour when it plunged over the embankment. Sgt. Kevin McFadden of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said that the driver was most likely injured:
But there was no blood inside the SUV or in the surrounding area. Sgt. McFadden said that investigators wondered if Leah had even been in the car when it went over the edge: “There’s nothing to indicate the wheel was tied and that it was pushed off the road. We couldn’t find any marks on the back that indicated anybody had pushed it to where it was. If you had somebody driving the vehicle and they jumped out, you would have taken your life into your own hands trying to jump out of the vehicle at that speed.”  Sgt. McFadden found Leah’s ring To make things even more confusing, blankets had been placed in the car’s shattered windows. To Sgt. McFadden, it appeared that someone used it as a shelter after the accident:
The SUV was carefully examined at a police garage. It was full of Leah’s personal belongings: a large amount of cash, an empty cat carrier, and Leah’s mother’s diamond engagement ring. Leah’s roommate, Nicole Bennett, remembered the ring:
There are several theories about the disappearance of Leah Roberts. According to Sgt. McFadden, she could have caught a ride with the wrong person after the accident.
She could be living somewhere with no memory of who she is or where she came from. Or, perhaps Leah Roberts was inspired by her favorite author, Jack Kerouac, and left her former life behind in one final, dramatic gesture. Leah’s sister doesn’t think so:
One week after Leah’s car was found, a man called police to report that his wife had just seen Leah at a gas station 30 miles from Seattle. He didn’t give his name, but said Leah appeared confused and disoriented. Before police could get more information, the caller hung up. Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season eleven with Robert Stack and in season four with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. SUBMIT A TIP |
Ashley
This case is so sad. Heard it on a podcast and had to look for more info hoping it would be solved by now (2022). Sadly it hasn’t, wish they’d get more answers off DNA in her car and stuff.
Vika
End of 2023 and still nothing.
L. G.
No Jammu, me too!! 🙂
Kell Brigan
Leah’s car was not near Desolation Peak (which is hike-in only.) She was on the wrong highway even to get to the trail head, and was about twenty-five miles away as the crow flies, and about 70 miles away on the only available highways.
Karen
Is there a way to find out exactly where the car was located? Thanks.
Jammu
Am I the only one who is also desperately worried about the cat?
Lyz Ruiz Gallardo
Hello
They only found the food and the cage, I hope he is with her … 21 years have passed and nothing is known yet, Leah is 46 years old
Diane Ramey
I wondered about the cat too!!
Jeff
I kept thinking that too and would be a great clue if there were info or photos as to what cat looked like, someone may remember seeing that cat somewhere. This is such a sad case all around and wish there were answers and to bring this poor girl home passed away or not. 🙁
Trevor
Any update on this case
Nancy Curtis
Did authorities do DNA testing on this mummified body that was found. If not, why not? Was any DNA testing done on items found in Leah Roberts’ car? Was the body of Leah’s cat ever discovered? Very puzzling. I pray that this case will be resolved.
Sad
Israel Keyes. He was smart enough to stage the accident by cutting the accelerator safety cable. He probably was the one who called about the gas station tip too. I have a hunch he’d go after cars with out of state plates. If he could hide the car (failed this time) the person would be reported missing in their home state not far away where they drove to. And we know he was good at getting rid of bodies.
I think he killed Maura Murray too. I think he was on the police scanner and got to her before the police (took police 10minutes). Based on his bank robbery experience he would have a good estimate how long the cops would take.
LeneYaelle
He was in the army in Egypt at this time, I also considered him, mainly because he said his first attempt ended up in rape and letting the girl go and the girls name was “Leah…or Lena, or something like that”.
For Maura Murray he has been cleared.
LostInTexas
Leah’s story has stuck with me all these years. I pray it’s solved one day. It has to be the guy she met there. Please keep working her case @LawEnforcement. #WheresLeah #JusticeForLeah
Luis
I believe that Leah Roberts met with foul play, I hope I’m wrong but 20 years later and her body still isn’t found, it makes me think of the Maura Murray case. The two of them coincidentally resemble each other.
thinkingoutloud
it seems she wasn’t in that car when it crashed if there was no blood or anything to confirm someone was in it the time it crashed. it seemed like she was just following her favorite author’s steps. her leaving her mother’s engagement ring behind and crashing her car and leaving behind her things was to show she had given up materialistic possessions.
III
Youtube user Rob Dyke did an episode of this case (6:18)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqlMwcFa9mg
Jessica
I hope someone finds Leah one day this is so very sad. For some reason this case just has me baffled. Someone out there must know something. If she did lose her memory I hope she stumbles across YouTube and here. I can’t imagine what her family is going through I know what it’s like losing a parent.
Bill Blaski
This reminds me so much of Maura Murray, and they resemble one another. I can’t help but think both succumb to the elements. There’s always that suspicion that a serial killer picked them both up and that makes me cringe.
Anonymous
Unfortunately, the waterways from the area she disappeared in flow to the ocean. If she fell victim to the waterways, her, and the rod in her leg could be in the ocean. Maybe the family needs to inquire about the shoes with feet that have washed up on the west coast if they know what shoes she had with her. Morbid, I know, just that living over here these are real problems.
Anonymous
I might have seen this girl, or a girl that looked just like her. She looks like a girl in Honolulu around the shelter for women. She looks a tiny bit older but still the same as the photos. She looks very lonely and like she has lost sense of friends. She looks like she is searching for deep changes about herself. She is someone that makes you desire her but never fills you with her friendship or love. It is very sad. She looks like this lost girl that I have seen here lately and the past year.
Dustin
Isn’t this some sort of tip for Unsolved? Why have they not replied to this post? It’s not unbelievable that she could have made it to HI.
Faith
I believe Leah is at the Hydroelectric power plant that’s abandoned ….. Trust me on this …. She is hidden over there somewhere !!
Marie
I live in Raleigh and this case has always interested me. I agree with the above comments about Israel Keyes. He left a lot of unanswered questions .
Wendy
So sad about this young lady. I pray she is found.
Paul Mytych
If there is no evidence in smashed car of her, blood, etc., then probably was not in car during crash.
Paula Smoley
On Leah Roberts…I think I saw her.. she also talked to me about a month ago. Asking for a cigarette. I gave her one. She had short hair, seemed homeless, thin. She might be hanging in old town Euerka, Ca. I hope this helps,,,
unsolved
Thank you Paula – we have passed the information on to the authorities working on this case.
Nessa
Have any of you that “think” you’ve seen her or have suspected this Israel Keys guys contacted the police in Washington? Or just randomly say stuff on the Internet and hope the police have time to read all these feeds? KUHOOK, if you really think this guy did it call the police on the case. Plus you guys in Hawaii, call them too. Ok, so I know this is several posts in a row. I just wanted someone to ponder the river to ocean theory with before I made any calls. Then I read the thread and I got frustrated, so I commented per post as I felt the need.
KUHOOK
Israel Keyes told the FBI he had committed 4 total murders in Washington, 3 remain unsolved and that in one, he staged it to look like an accident and that the media had initially reported it as an appearant accident/missing person. It’s a longshot, but this could be the one. He may have been stationed at joint base Ft. Lewis-McCord at this time. He gave no further details at least none made public and took many secrets to his grave when he commited suicide in jail.
ImNotSure
I heard that the second interview guy, that moved to Canada commented on an article that said he may have lied. Anyone know where this commentary can be found?
BRAD SAXENHAUS
I SAW THIS CASE ON DISAPPEARED AND I CAUGHT SOMETHING. WHEN SHE WAS AT THE GAS STATION IN OREGON SHE STEPPED BACK TO LOOK OUTSIDE EVERYONE KEPT SAYING SOMETHING IS GOING ON OUTSIDE. THIS IS NOT TRUE . THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME YOU GET TO THE CASH REGISTER AND THEY ASK YOU WHAT PUMP NUMBER YOU ARE ON, LEAH STEPPED BACK TO SEE WHAT PUMP SHE WAS AT. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. NOW LETS LOOK AT THIS GUY THAT WALKED FROM THE RIGHT AND STOOD WAY BACK NOT IN LINE AT ALL. LOOK WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE AND HE IS WEARING A LONG SLEEVE PINK STRIPE SHIRT. NOW LETS GO TO THE RESTURANT WHERE THE GUY ON HER LEFT SITS DOWN AND STARTS TALKING TO HER. HE IS WEARING A LONG SLEEVE PINK SRIPE SHIRT. THEN HE MADE UP STORIES DIFFERENT THEN OTHER PEOPLE AND WHEN HE LEFT HE WENT TO CANADA. I CALLED THE DETECTIVES ON THE CASE AND TALKED TO THEM SEVERAL TIMES AND ALL THEY CAN SAY IS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY AND TIME TO LOOK AT THE TAPE. ITS A SHAME THIS MAN IS OUT THERE PROBLEY HURTING OTHER GIRLS AND THE POLICE DO NOT HAVE TIME TO LOOK INTO IT. SAD VERY SAD.
KUHOOK
Where did you get the Canada information regarding the guy in the long sleeve pink striped shirt? Probably a lead worth exploring. Regarding comment by Mazey on the Honolulu sighting, I lived on Kauai from 2010-2014 and often saw a woman resembling her hitchhiking on 530 from Koloa to Lihue. She was often talking to herself and seemed like she was either an amnesiac or on hallucinogens. Can you provide Honolulu dates of sightings? The shelter must have some record of names if she stayed there.
Nessa
The guy in the REENACTMENT was wearing the same shirt. Really?
Ryan
@Anonymous Are you sure you watched the episode on ID? There were two witnesses. The second witness said Leah was with a man and even gave a detailed description, but investigators said it was a ruse to throw them off. He also has experience as a mechanic and after inspection, they said her vehicle had been tampered with. I agree with you Ashley. They had found some male DNA on some of Leah’s belongings that they were testing and they collected DNA from the second witness, but that’s the last we heard. The man lives in Canada now, and hopefully they can put him away. Investigators said his behavior became very suspicious. Sounds like Leah trusted the wrong person, and it cost her.
CW
I have a question for the person above me ^^^ Mazey. So you comment saying you might have seen her (past tense) but then your post talks aboyt this “person” you “saw” in the present tense. You kept saying “she looks like” rather than, she lookED like. You ALSO said “She is someone that makes you desire her but never fills you with her friendship or love” That is a but odd considering you said you might have seen this person yet you know alot about them?? How does she make you desire her as you said if you dont even know this person? Seems to me something about you (Mazey) is a little off…..hmmm.
ashley
The 2nd witness from the restaurant KNOWS where leah is…he did WAY too much to throw investigators off…he should’ve been in custody a LONG time ago…this aggravated me SOOO bad watching this case. Leahs family deserves the truth and justice. She didn’t cause harm to anybody and was just trying to take a soul searching trip after sone hard times in her life. Im praying this case is sloved…but if it were up to me i would already had that 2nd witness locked up LONG ago…its SO obvious its him.
Anonymous
What second witness?just watched this episode and the only witness that was mentioned was a man who said his wife had seen her and she seemed disoriented and confused.
KUHOOK
Israel Keyes victim? Also who did she meet online in WA that convinced her to take this trip? i.p. address search?
Linda
The DNA and fingerprint found on the car hood does not belong to the man who went to Canada.