When 38 year old Ralph Riz, Gene Marie was reported missing from a motel where he was

living in Berry, Vermont, the story was that he up and left after an argument, leaving behind his personal belongings

and everything you'd think someone might take with them if they were going to start a

new life for themselves somewhere or even just taking off to get some space for a few days.

But from day one of the investigation,

law enforcement had reason to believe the initial narrative of Ralph's

disappearance wasn't anchored in the whole truth.

Ralph didn't just walk off, never to be seen again.

Someone or multiple someone's had a hand in his disappearance,

but getting answers as to what really happened proved a challenge for local authorities.

Family members and activists alike have been critical of law enforcement's response to Ralph's disappearance,

and they continue to speak out today about the lack of progress in the three-year-long

investigation. This case has layers. From a secret inquest to demonstrations and protests from local activists

to the prosecution of a journalist.

It all stems from the biggest and most important question at the center of the case.

Where is Ralph Jean Marie?

I'm Kylie Lowe and this is Dark down east. On the night of April 15, 2020, around 9 p.m.

Barry City Police in Barry, Vermont, received a report of a missing person.

According to reporting by Alan J. Keys for the Valley News,

friends of 38-year-old Ralph Jean-Marie,

who also went by the name Riz,

reported him missing that Wednesday,

...