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I think he knew. I think he chose it. Right before he went missing, we took a picture from my mother for Christmas of our families, our spouses, our children,

and Michael, he flew home for it. He was very adamant about wearing orange. He was very adamant about certain things in the picture.

He was a little obsessed with the born identity, the movie the born identity, and he asked me once what would you do if you ever called, and I wasn't here.

And I said, well, what do you mean? If I just disappeared. So I can see him just walking in the door and be like, hey, I know I've been missing for 20 years. Sorry about that, but I can see it.

Michael Wallace was a 29-year-old Massachusetts native, living in Menlo Park, California, with a bright future and full life ahead of him.

He had graduated from one of the most elite universities in the world, and didn't have to worry about finding a job.

So when he disappeared without a trace, his family had to wonder, did he choose to vanish?

Was his fascination with the born identity more than just a dream? Did he seek answers in a monastery after studying Buddhism for several years?

We don't have all the answers to these questions, but this is a compelling, mystifying story of a brilliant man who wanted to find answers to his own internal struggles, for himself and others, but vanished before that happened.

And has not been seen since February 4, 2003. Amarisa and from Wondery, this is Episode 341 of The Vanished. Michael Wallace's story.

Michael Wallace was not just gifted, he was extraordinary. His entire life was described to us by so many as a dream that most people could only hope to experience.

He had a close, tightly-knit family, who lived on a street named after their ancestors and were among the fifth generation to live in an enclave west of Boston, called Lemmonster, where he grew up.

Michael was the third child of Ralph and Angela Wallace. He had two older siblings, Gary and Kim, that he shared close relationships with, along with many extended family members.

Michael's father had passed away at just 51 years old, after suffering a sudden and fatal heart attack on April 22, 1999.

Michael's father had been a career firefighter, and his death devastated the Wallace family. But especially his youngest son, Michael, one of the people we spoke to is Gina, Michael's cousin.

I think his dad passed away. He didn't understand it because his dad was so young and his dad was so healthy. His dad would run every day, 10 miles, with nothing to him. His dad didn't put a narcotic in his body ever.

He didn't drink. He was just a healthy, healthy guy, and he passed away early.

So Michael, he didn't understand why. He just didn't get it. And I think that took a turn in his brain a little bit. He was mentally struggling with his dad passing and things happening within his life.

You just don't know where he was at mentally because you never did. You never knew where he was mentally because he always put on that happy face.

We spoke to many people who know and love Michael. And one of them is another cousin, Carrie, whose father was a firefighter alongside Michael's dad. She told us how deeply his death affected the family.

Uncle Ralph's death had an effect on everyone around him. He was such a driving force in in the family. And I mean, my uncle Ralph was so proud of Michael. And there was a lot of pressure that came from Uncle Ralph.

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