4 Years ago March 5, 2016-Michael VanZandt went missing!!
Here is a post from Mike's brother, Tyler on March 5, 2020
"
Tyler VanZandt is with
Mike Vanzandt.
March 5 at 9:22 PM
Have you ever lost your keys or your phone and you swear that it couldn’t have gone anywhere far? You check the obvious places....the couch, your pocket, the la...st place you remember having it, use find my iPhone.Nothing. You ask around and people say they haven’t seen it, but tell you to check the obvious places you checked a million times already. You check again. So then you get creative, maybe I left it in this drawer or on top of my car. Hope. Nothing. How does it just disappear?! You get frustrated. This doesn’t make sense. Check one more time. Will I ever find it?
Now picture the feeling when someone close to you dies. What happened? The shock. The sadness. What do we do now? The, “I wish I said this or that.” What was the last thing we talked about? Who needs to know? Gods plan. Are his loved ones ok? Man, “you never really know do you.” What about their house, their possessions, their finances? Are we prepared? Only the good die young. Will I ever feel happy again? We’ll get through this.
Now combine those two feelings. That’s what its been like for four years after my brother Michael VanZandt disappeared March 5th, 2016 in Hermosa Beach. Vanished without a trace, yet to be found. Leaving a myriad of emotions and questions. Left trying to explain the unexplainable. Trying to ease a burden that doesn’t go away. The thing about a lost phone is that it’s disruptive, but its temporary. You can buy a new one, life goes on. You don’t get a new brother. You don’t replace Mike. The thing about losing a love one is you bury them. Through those shovels of dirt there is closure. Grass grows and life goes on again. There is no closure for Mike’s friends and family. No celebration of life.
He could be dead . He could have drowned or god-forbid been murdered. But he also could be alive. Lost. Confused. In Bali. Who knows? But missing people are frequently found months, years, and decades after they disappear. There is hope. Now we don’t need sympathy. In fact, we’re all doing ok I promise. But what we do need is you to share his story to new people. You don’t have to share another social media post or a picture if you really don’t want to, but when the moment presents itself, use it as an opportunity to share his story, and all of its many lessons. Use that moment to remember Mike
Share his story when you remind someone to forgive, to love, and to enjoy people while they’re still here. Tell them to prepare for what happens if they’re not, even if they’re young. Say, “don’t forget to charge your phone” then tell Mike’s story. Remind them not to leave any friend behind. Scold then and say “swimming and drinking don’t mix!” Tell them to be careful and mindful of their surroundings. Tell them you love them before they leave. Say, “you never really know, I knew a guy named Mike who...” and tell his story. Because if his story can prevent someone else’s tragedy, rekindle a relationship, or prevent life-long regret, then he’s still alive in one way or another. Miss you brother!
