Jerard "Jay" Jackson, a 28-year-old Illinois man who drove friends to the Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury, Michigan, was reported missing on June 29, 2026. Hours before he vanished, he had called state troopers to report an alleged incident involving a friend — investigators concluded the incident had not occurred. He left behind his phone and belongings. His body was found the next day in a wooded area near the Hart-Montague Trail, close to his parked rental vehicle with his wallet and keys inside.

Preliminary finding of suicide by Michigan State Police. A friend said Jackson had seemed to be in a mental health crisis and had withdrawn from the group.