The person at the center of this case
Matthew David Pendergrast
Violent Crime · Open / Unsolved
25 years waiting · since 2000
MATTHEW DAVID PENDERGRAST - MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
Justice for Matthew David Pendergrast — the trail went cold in 2000, but the truth hasn't.
Start here
Key leads to think about
⏰
timeline
Lead #1What happened during the approximately 6-hour gap between Pendergrast's departure from Memphis and the vehicle discovery in Lonoke, Arkansas?
📍
location
Lead #2Why was the vehicle abandoned near a swamp off Interstate 40 in Lonoke, and what significance does this location hold?
🔍
evidence
Lead #3Why were personal belongings scattered 100 yards from the vehicle, and what does this indicate about the circumstances of disappearance?
Matthew David Pendergrast, a Rhodes College senior, disappeared on December 1, 2000, while traveling to class from his Memphis home. His abandoned vehicle was discovered in Lonoke, Arkansas, with his personal belongings scattered nearby, but his whereabouts remain unknown after more than two decades. The case remains unsolved, and investigators seek information about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and what occurred between Memphis and the vehicle's discovery site.
Try asking
Claim this imported case
A one-time $10 claim transfers this imported case workspace to your account. You get 10 uploads for this case, 25 daily AI questions for this case, and public tips with files route to you.
10 uploads25 AI questions/day
This does not start a subscription. When the included limits are reached, the Personal plan unlocks more workspace capacity.
More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Were there any witnesses on Interstate 40 or in Lonoke who observed the vehicle or its occupants on December 1, 2000?
🎯
suspect
Lead #5Has anyone been identified with knowledge of or involvement in Pendergrast's disappearance?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Memphis, Tennessee December 1, 2000 Matthew David Pendergrast, a senior at Rhodes College, departed his residence in Memphis, Tennessee, between 7:30 and 8 a.m. on December 1, 2000, to attend class.
He never arrived and was not seen again. His vehicle, a 1998 Toyota 4Runner, was found abandoned in Lonoke, Arkansas, at approximately 2 p.m.
that same day. The vehicle was recovered near a swamp just off Interstate 40 and was unlocked with the keys and victim’s backpack still inside.
A search of the surrounding area revealed the victim’s clothing, shoes, and wallet containing cash, driver’s license, and credit card located approximately 100 yards from his vehicle but no additional clues as to his whereabouts. Remarks: Pendergrast has dimples.
Timeline of Events
👁️
2000-12-01
07:30Departure from residence
Matthew departed his Memphis residence between 7:30 and 8 a.m. to attend class at Rhodes College
🔍
2000-12-01
14:00Vehicle discovered
1998 Toyota 4Runner found abandoned in Lonoke, Arkansas near Interstate 40, unlocked with keys and backpack inside
📋
2000-12-01
Personal belongings located
Victim's clothing, shoes, and wallet containing cash, driver's license, and credit card found approximately 100 yards from vehicle
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:December 1, 2000 at 7:30 AM
Last Updated:October 29, 2026
Leave a comment
Comments
Case Information
Incident:December 1, 2000 at 7:30 AM
Last Updated:October 29, 2026