In 2016, a Wisconsin man vanished just weeks before his scheduled court trial, only to be found years later living in a hidden underground bunker he had built himself.
Jeremiah Button, 44, was facing multiple serious charges involving a child at the time of his disappearance. He had been released on bond while awaiting trial when he suddenly went missing in February 2016.
Unbeknownst to authorities, Button had been preparing for his disappearance. In a remote wooded area near Ringle, Wisconsin, he had constructed a concealed bunker built into an embankment. The entrance was carefully hidden with natural debris, making it nearly impossible to detect.
Inside, he had created a self-sustaining setup. Solar panels powered basic electrical systems, including lighting, ventilation, and small electronics. During periods without sunlight, he used a stationary bike to generate power. He also filtered water and collected supplies from a nearby landfill to survive.
For more than three years, he remained hidden.
On August 9, 2019, a hunter noticed unusual markings in the area and discovered a concealed entrance. Upon opening it, he found Button inside.
Authorities were called immediately, and after a brief standoff, Button surrendered.
The case drew attention not only for the charges he was facing, but for the extent of planning and isolation involved in avoiding detection for years.
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