The FBI is haunted by the enigmatic riddles of a deceased man.

On the evening of June 25th, 1999, a man named Ricky McCormick arrived at an emergency room in St. Louis, Missouri. He complained of difficulty breathing, attributing it to his asthma and recent grass-cutting activity. This was not uncommon for Ricky, who had a history of heart and lung problems. The hospital staff conducted tests, which showed no physical abnormalities, leading them to suspect a psychological issue. Ricky had a reputation for fabricating stories about himself, suggesting underlying mental health disorders like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Despite the concerns expressed by his loved ones, Ricky had never sought treatment for these issues.

Ricky's life had taken a downward spiral, with a lack of education, sporadic employment, and residence in a dangerous part of St. Louis. He frequented different family members' and his girlfriend's home and his work consisted mainly of night shifts for various odd jobs. Ricky exhibited signs of paranoia and agitation, jumping at the slightest noise outside his girlfriend's apartment. However, he refused to elaborate on his behavior when questioned.

After he visited the emergency room, Ricky asked to stay in the hospital's lobby for the night, as he didn't have a stable place to stay. A sympathetic nurse allowed him to stay as long as he didn't bother anyone. Ricky sat in the corner, seemingly vigilant and expectant, while the nurse periodically checked on him throughout the night.

The following morning, Ricky left the hospital without interacting with the nursing staff who approached him. He called his girlfriend, sounding tired and disoriented, and informed her about spending the night in the hospital without clarifying it was in the lobby. Concerned about his well-being, Sandy invited Ricky to her apartment, but he declined, opting to get a meal from a nearby gas station, and promised to call her later.

However, Ricky never made that call. A few days later, Ricky's decomposed body was discovered in a cornfield, 20 miles north of St. Louis. Given the state of decomposition, authorities suspected foul play, and the police initiated a homicide investigation. The area where Ricky was found was known for being a dumping site for victims of murders, making it unlikely that Ricky had reached the location by himself. Additionally, his body decomposed faster than expected, suggesting it had been kept in a heated environment before being moved to the cornfield.

Despite launching a comprehensive investigation with a large team of detectives, the police concluded within a day that Ricky's death was due to natural causes. His pre-existing heart and lung conditions were believed to be the cause, and the case was closed. All the evidence related to Ricky's case was stored away, and the investigation came to a halt.

Several months later, the FBI received a tip related to Ricky McCormick. It was tied to a separate drug-related case involving a major drug dealer suspected of ordering hits on rivals. The informant mentioned that Ricky had become entangled with this drug dealer, though the details were unclear. While the FBI initially struggled to see the connection between Ricky, who had severe mental health issues, and the drug dealer, they decided to investigate further.

During their examination of Ricky's case, the FBI discovered a peculiar piece of evidence that had been overlooked by the local police. This evidence was sent to a forensic analyst named Dan Olson, who diligently analyzed it but couldn't decipher its meaning or its connection to Ricky and the drug dealer. However, as the main drug dealer was eventually arrested on unrelated charges, the FBI shifted its focus, deeming the connection between Ricky and the drug dealer less significant.

Thus, Ricky McCormick's case remained unsolved, and the evidence gathered by the FBI became part of a stored file, leaving the mystery of his death unresolved.