Christopher Knight Disappeared into the Forest and Was Not Be Seen For Another 27 Years
In 1986, a shy and intelligent twenty-year-old named Christopher Knight left his home in Massachusetts, drove to Maine, and disappeared into the forest. He would not have a conversation with another human being for the next twenty-seven years. Based on extensive interviews with Knight himself, journalist Michael Finkel discussed his secluded life and how he managed to survive. Finkel said that he heard of the story in 2013 when about 500 journalists descended a small town in Maine where Knight was being held after his arrest. Knight would speak to none of them. On a hunch, Finkel hand wrote a short note and mailed it. He received a reply 10 days later, saying that Knight replied because he appreciated that Finkel "took a chance" on him and this simple, old-fashioned form of communication.