Nicholas Downey took a week off from his job in Bradenton, Florida, to visit his wife, Holly, at a rehabilitation center in Mississippi. He rented a Tesla in Tampa for the trip.

On the night of February 26, 2023, while returning home, Downey stopped to recharge the car behind a McDonald’s in Marianna, Florida. Security footage shows someone exiting the vehicle to charge it, then driving south on State Road 71 instead of rejoining Interstate 10.

The car’s owner, tracking its location, grew concerned when it didn’t return to the interstate. He texted Downey, but got no response.

Nick was due back at work on February 27th but never arrived.