Scott Amatuccio

Had she ever mentioned anything about Mike, concerns about Mike?

Had she ever mentioned anything about Mike, concerns about Mike?

This is Claremont, Florida, a rural community about 20 miles west of Orlando, but a world apart from the tourist-filled amusement parks. Michael and Lori Shaver were raising their two children here when his lifelong friend, Scott Amatuccio, started to get worried.

This is Claremont, Florida, a rural community about 20 miles west of Orlando, but a world apart from the tourist-filled amusement parks. Michael and Lori Shaver were raising their two children here when his lifelong friend, Scott Amatuccio, started to get worried.

For friends so close, an unexplained social media slight like this was too strange to ignore. And it turns out Scott wasn't the only one worried.

For friends so close, an unexplained social media slight like this was too strange to ignore. And it turns out Scott wasn't the only one worried.

It was that concern that started the unraveling of a years-long mystery as deep and dark as the lakes that surround this place.

It was that concern that started the unraveling of a years-long mystery as deep and dark as the lakes that surround this place.

Michael grew up the third child of four with his brother and two sisters in the tiny rural village of Lawrence in upstate New York.

Michael grew up the third child of four with his brother and two sisters in the tiny rural village of Lawrence in upstate New York.

As a young man, Michael showed a talent for working with his hands.

As a young man, Michael showed a talent for working with his hands.

Flying wasn't the only thing Michael loved. By the time he'd gotten to high school, his head was also in the clouds for Lori Paddleford, seen here in their yearbook.

Flying wasn't the only thing Michael loved. By the time he'd gotten to high school, his head was also in the clouds for Lori Paddleford, seen here in their yearbook.

Soon, Michael and Lori became parents to daughter Isabel and her younger brother Aiden. After moving up and down the East Coast, Michael and his family ended up in the Sunshine State.

Soon, Michael and Lori became parents to daughter Isabel and her younger brother Aiden. After moving up and down the East Coast, Michael and his family ended up in the Sunshine State.

In his off hours, he worked as a mechanic for Precious Metal, a local flight team that performs and races all over the country.

In his off hours, he worked as a mechanic for Precious Metal, a local flight team that performs and races all over the country.

Lori worked from home for an insurance company while Michael was away for days at a time working as a pilot. Wanting to be with his family more, Michael quit the airline business for another dream job, this one at the most magical place on Earth.

Lori worked from home for an insurance company while Michael was away for days at a time working as a pilot. Wanting to be with his family more, Michael quit the airline business for another dream job, this one at the most magical place on Earth.