In October 2023, the University of Rochester community was shaken by the sudden disappearance of Professor Heikki Rantakari. At age 44, Rantakari, a distinguished member of the university’s Finance department, failed to attend his scheduled classes and meetings, raising immediate concerns among his colleagues and students. The news of his absence spread quickly, prompting a wave of efforts to locate him and uncover the reasons behind his disappearance. The University Rochester professor missing left a void felt deeply within the academic community, sparking widespread speculation and a coordinated search effort.