I have followed this for some time and just never posted. And I am 18 years old so this is from the point of an 18 year old. And first I want to say I think Macin is alive and well. And second, I do not believe the parents had anything to do (directly) with the day of his disappearance. And third, it really doesn’t matter WHY he ran away-he’s gone. That said, I have been comparing things said by people involved and the data has not been consistent in what was said over time -some of the elements simply do not add up. Of course, any and all of this is speculation anyway because the parents have not provided all of the facts. And I mean no disrespect to the parents, but I do not think they are telling the full truth on the situation leading up to him leaving and in reality things were much different or even more intense.
First off, no one in the public knows all the facts. Few people would likely tell all the negative stuff about their family dynamic to strangers anyway. I imagine most parents would try to put a somewhat positive spin on the family life with things like, “We never fought”, “ or “Dad and son never argued” and such. This is natural because every parent “wants” to think and have others believe they were good parents and doing the best they could with their children upbringing. Problem here I think, Is that the parents (mother) never really heard or acted on what her son was telling her all along and dad simply did not want to hear or lacked compassion. The mother (who is some sort of a clinical or therapy worker), stated Macin was special and has been depressed for a very long time, yet she never talked about any help or ongoing professional help offered to her son. Maybe there was, just not mentioned much or at all. It’s sort of like they buried their heads in the sand, as Macin became more and more isolated and internalizing his thoughts (and plans).
Mom seemed more patient or lenient with her special son. Dad, who strikes me as a “my way or the highway type person, was away more than he was around apparently, and when he came back to live in the household (like three or so days before), had it in his mind that he was going to make “a man out of his son”. I could image things like, "Stop wasting time playing games"; "Get a job"; "Get out and meet people so you don’t look so weird" (to us and the church), and, “You will learn to drive NOW whether you want to or not because I say so". And Heaven forbid, if they knew by “chance” Macin was gay. (There are supposed centers affiliated with their church that claim they can “fix” gay or *advertiser censored* addicted people; send your kid to us and when we’re done with him, he’ll be good as new.” And I have heard stories because I have relatives that belong to the same church organization-as well as live in SLC). If there is any truth to what I said above, wow, I would bolt too I think.
I suspect all things with the dad were mandates rather than discussions when it came to Macin. So if that were the case or something similar, all of that was way out of Macin’s comfort zone. I doubt that the day of his vanishing was the “first time” Macin ever locked his door. That just makes no sense, especially with a strong-minded dad that obviously demanded total control. And in my opinion, going into Macin’s room (or breaking down the door lock) that night, and taking away the only connection Macin really had with the “world” would be nothing short of cruel considering the situation of Macin. I am not trying to project that they were bad parents, nothing of the sort. I think they were very dysfunctional parents and truly they thought they had good intent and maybe even did try their “best”. Macin no doubt, likely felt differently.
It’s impossible to know what happened the 24 hours prior to his vanishing and the only person that truly knows what really happened is Macin. But after studying this case, I have my own theory and again, it’s just a speculated guess that is certainly no worse than the dozens of others I have read. One thing that really stands out to me is the note that they “found” a week after he left. They said they searched the wallet early on and found the money and ids and such. And then suddenly a week later, they did another search and eureka- epiphany, there was the note hidden deep in the depths of the wallet. Sorry, but that does make any rational sense at all. What parent in a panic of a missing son or daughter would not have tore that thing apart the first time, looking for clues. And no 17-year old I know has a wallet that is so crammed with stuff, that a two or three page not would be missed when the wallet was examined. That story just does not add up. Of course holding back on the letter only adds to the mystery and I hope someday it does get released to the public but I will not hold my breath as I believe elements in it would probably be embarrassing to and not edify the parents.
Macin’s computer was taken away for some unknown prior amount of time and he just got it back that day. I believe Macin had access to anyway to the internet from other sources-library or what not prior to getting it back. So he must have been excited to come home and start using his computer that day before he left. Except, dad had other plans; driving lessons when Macin got home. Macin (perhaps) faked a headache to get out of it, which then went in his bedroom and did his computer thing, after all it was his first day getting it back. Mom came to visit him later in the evening and said good night. Macin wiped his computer history somewhere around midnight. Dad heard a noise (probably Macin preparing for his bolt). Dad then entered Macin’s room, (I still feel the door was locked and dad broke in), and took the computer and phone. Although dad “claims” there was no argument, I cannot believe that, because he was even quoted to say to wife afterwards. “See I told you”. Now anytime my dad says something to my mom like that about me, is never because dad was just making conversation, but rather as a form of disgust or anger.
Macin was a planner. I believe he planned to leave the next day and the computer episode was just a coincidence. He had been planning this out, maybe for months or even for as long as he knew dad was moving back after not living there since they moved there five months prior. They report Macin had no money or supplies. There is absolutely no one could know that. He could have been salting away a little money here and there, and article of clothing or twenty over time at some off site for when the day came. By all indications, he was a very intelligent person, and during his times of isolation from society so to speak, could have created a real master plan for escape, and developed many internet friendships over the years. Who would really know otherwise? So this was arranged by Macin and he had assistance from the outside for the execution of the plan.
I think when he awoke for school that morning, he never left the house but hid, only making it look like he left. I think he was going to bolt after parents left the house for work or what not. I believe he did not count on the dad staying home to do landscaping that day (which I feel was dad’s way of making sure he was there when Macin came home from school for that “mandatory” diving lesson that was postponed the day before. I think during that time between 7:40 a.m. and around 3 p.m., Macin was waiting for his opportunity to sneak away, all the while hiding things to throw people off the track and delay them. He left the note because this perhaps the first time he could express he inner feelings or at least one final time without being shut down. He got his opportunity to finally leave around 3pm, and he left, which could account for the neighbor seeing him walking away. This time, Macin had no intention of ever returning and made extra effort to ensure no one would to be able to find him, by hiding wallet and school books and all. Then he left and closed the previous seventeen year chapter of his life.
I cannot begin to understand the pain parents must go though when a loved one goes missing. But I think Macin is doing just fine with his new life. In his mind, the past was too painful (for whatever reasons) for him to look back as he began work on the new chapter of his life. I only hope that Macin eventually finds a way to communicate just two words to his parents: “I’m OK”, which should then provide a sort of closure for the family.