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The original was posted on /r/unresolvedmysteries by /u/typhoidsergei on 2024-01-21 12:32:00+00:00.
Jeremiah Jamal Parker (19) was last seen by his cousin at North Sherwood Forest Park in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 11, 2004 (Easter Sunday). He had been driving with his cousin before stopping at the park at around 6:00 p.m., stating he needed to find his missing cell phone holder. Parker's cousin waited in the car while the engine was left running, but Parker himself never returned. He was last seen walking behind a row of trees near a fishing pond.
A subsequent search only uncovered his cell phone and one of his shoes approximately fifty yards away from his car.
During his disappearance, Parker was a student at Baton Rouge Community College and worked at a Wendy's restaurant. He had never gone missing before, nor had he ever spent a night away from home without telling his parents.
It is unclear what caused his disappearance, although he had seen The Passion of the Christ shortly prior to his disappearance and had been heavily affected by it. After watching it, he told his relatives he would be "leaving soon." However, it is unknown whether or not this had anything to do with his disappearance.
It is theorized he may have since traveled to Canada, but no trace of him has ever been found. If still alive, he would be 39-years-old today.
On a side note, I looked this park up and doesn't appear to be as wooded as its name suggests. Granted, this is how the park appears now and things may have been different back then, but it's very hard to imagine someone getting disoriented there. This is one of the strangest cases I've come across and sadly it doesn't appear like it will get resolved anytime soon. There are also no DNA samples submitted apparently... not very reassuring.
Sources
Charley Project
Doe Network
NamUs
Strange Outdoors