Name: Jacob Cabinaw
Nickname: Jake
Age: 31 years old
Last Seen: March 31, 2010
Location: Traverse City, Michigan
Status: Still missing
Case Information
31 year old Jacob Cabinaw was last seen in Traverse City, Michigan on March 31, 2010. He disappeared after dropping a friend off downtown around 7:30 pm.
Background
Jacob was born in Grawn, Michigan and has nine siblings. He was a member of the Michigan National Guard and attended college at Northwestern Michigan College. He was weeks away from graduating with his mechanic certification.
Jacob has two sons from a previous marriage, who were ages 6 and 12 when he went missing. He worked as a mechanic, and was planning to purchase a home for himself and his girlfriend.
He is described as a family man, and his family says it’s highly uncharacteristic of him to leave without telling anyone. At the time of his disappearance he was living with his mother in Grawn, Michigan.
Disappearance
On March 31, 2010, Jacob Cabinaw played frisbee golf with a friend at Hickory Hills in Traverse City, Michigan.
He was last seen around 7:30 pm when he dropped his friend off in downtown Traverse City, telling them he was heading home to study for a class.
He was driving his 2002 silver Chevy Malibu with Michigan plate number BKQ-4107. The car had existing damage to the front end on the passenger side.
Jacob never returned home and hasn’t been heard from since.
On April 4, 2010, Jacob was reported missing to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department.
Investigation
At approximately 9:00 pm on March 31, 2010, Jacob’s bank card was used at the Buckley General Store near Traverse City.
At 1:00 am on April 1, 2010, Jacob made his required monthly call to the Army National Guard’s automated system to report he was still a student at Northwestern Michigan College.
On on April 1, 2010 at 2:00 am, his bank card was used at a Speedway in Mattawan, Michigan, 10 miles west of Kalamazoo. Family members viewed surveillance footage of the transaction and confirmed it was Jacob.
Just after midnight on April 2, 2010, a police officer in Hollister, Missouri ran Jacob’s license plate.
At 3:35 am on April 2, 2010, Jacob had contact with law enforcement in West Fork, Arkansas. The deputy noted that Cabinaw was asleep in his car, which was parked at the Brentwood Rest Area off US 71. This is the last confirmed sighting of Jacob.
At 1:26 pm on April 2, 2010, his credit card was used in Fort Worth, Texas at an Exxon Mobil, and used again at 4:49 pm at Skinny’s (7-11) in Sweetwater, Texas. Neither Jacob’s bank card or phone has been used since.
In 2017, Carfax data showed that Jacob’s vehicle may have been associated with a scrap yard in Mexico. The current status of the vehicle is unknown.
Neither authorities or Jacob’s family can explain why he went on an unplanned trip to Arkansas. He had a brother stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, but there was seemingly no reason for him to be in that area.
In 2015 Jacob was declared legally deceased.
In 2025, the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program joined the case.
Appearance
American Indian/Alaska Native male with brown hair and brown eyes. Jacob stands 5’11 tall and weighs 150 pounds.
Clothing & Accessories:
Jacob was last seen wearing a grey jacket with “Dave’s Garage” printed on it, dark blue pants, and brown work boots.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jacob Cabinaw please contact the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department at (231) 995-5000.
Agency case number 10-12303.
Resources & Further Information
Jacob Cabinaw – FBI
Jacob Cabinaw – NamUs
Jacob Cabinaw Cold Case – WMICH
Media Links
Family Hopes For Closure 14 Years After Northern Michigan Man Went Missing – Up North Live
FBI Joins Efforts To Find Jacob Cabinaw, Michigan Man Last Seen In Arkansas 15 Years Ago – Up North Live
10 Years Gone: Seeking Jacob – Record Eagle
Videos & Flyers
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