Isaac's disappearance seemed unusual because he left his wallet, ID, cards, and other items at his home, only taking his phone, bike, and backpack. He also had chicken thawing in the sink, which he regularly did to prep meals for the week, and he hadn't mentioned any plans to go anywhere.
Isaac's family saw giving away the cat as a red flag because it is often a warning sign of suicide. However, some family members thought he just wasn't a cat person and never bonded with the animal.
Isaac's family and friends found it odd that he burnt his books because he was a avid reader and lover of learning. Burning his books, which he had collected over the years, seemed out of character and added to the mystery of his disappearance.
Isaac's disappearance deeply affected his mother, Brenda, who was already battling cancer. She passed away in January 2022, just days before she was scheduled to speak about Isaac's disappearance, and her family believes she was waiting for Isaac to come home.
Isaac's friends thought he could survive off the grid because he was very outdoorsy, knowledgeable about living off the land, and had a minimalist lifestyle. He was capable, thrifty, and had the skills to make a fire, find food, and possibly take on odd jobs for money.
The absence of the greenhouse, which Isaac had built and used to grow plants, raised concerns because it was a significant part of his life and hobbies. The fact that it was missing suggested he might have given up on his farming and nurturing interests, adding to the mystery of his disappearance.
Isaac's family and friends continue to have diverse theories because his disappearance lacks concrete evidence and he was known for his spontaneous and adventurous nature. They theorize he could be on an adventure, have had an accident, or possibly ended his own life, but no theory fully explains all the clues and his behavior.
Isaac's boss, Tim, thought an accident involving his bike was a plausible theory because Isaac's bike was the only vehicle missing from his home, and Tim believed Isaac might have gone on a bike ride around dinnertime and not returned. However, the roads around his house were well canvassed, and no signs of an accident were found.
Isaac's family and friends felt frustrated with the police investigation because they perceived it as not being taken seriously. The police said it was not illegal for a grown man to go missing, and there was no hard evidence to suggest foul play, leading to a lack of thorough investigative work.
Isaac's minimalist lifestyle, where he often got rid of items he no longer needed, made it harder to determine if his actions before his disappearance were premeditated or just part of his usual habits. For example, he might have given away or burned items without intending to disappear permanently.
Yesterday, we shared the first part of Isaac Seidel's story, providing insight into his life and the events leading up to his disappearance. You learned that Isaac vanished along with his bike, phone, and backpack, leaving behind everything else at his home. Isaac hadn't mentioned to anyone that he had plans to go anywhere. In fact, it appeared that Isaac was simply going about his usual Sunday routine. He had chicken thawing, something he regularly did to prep meals for the week. It seemed he set out for a bike ride, intending to return in time for dinner. But something happened to Isaac, and several years later, his whereabouts remain unknown.
If you have any information about Isaac Seidel’s disappearance, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police at (717) 567-3110. Isaac’s dark green Cannondale bicycle is also missing.
Megan has a social media page for Isaac to help spread awareness. You can follow her over on Facebook at Find Isaac Seidel).
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is open 24/7 at 800-273-8255.
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