Life had already thrown him unimaginable hardships — the painful divorce of his parents and the devastating loss of his brother to suicide in 2006 — but Joshua’s resilience shone through, keeping his optimism and adventurous nature alive.

On May 8, 2008, Joshua left his home for what seemed like a simple walk. The nature-loving teen with the long blond hair often wandered alone through the nearby Pike National Forest.

He even told his sister Kate he was heading out — but he never came home.

Days turned into a frantic search. His father, Mike Maddux, called friends and combed the neighborhood, but there was no sign of Josh. After five days, a missing person report was filed with local authorities. Despite the police and family scouring the nearby woods, months stretched into years with no clue.

Josh’s family clung to hope. His