Why Did She Text “They’re Not Going to Let Me Go”?

Imagine receiving a late-night text from someone you love.

It reads:

“They’re not going to let me go.”

Then nothing.

No more calls. No replies.

Just silence.

That’s what happened to the family of Susie Lyster, a 29-year-old medical assistant from Waco, Texas, who vanished after a road trip in 2015 — only to be found dead in a ditch, under circumstances that still don’t make sense.

Was it murder?

A botched escape?

Or something darker?

🚗 A Routine Trip Turns Into a Nightmare

On the evening of October 3, 2015, Susie was driving back from a weekend visit to her cousin’s home near Dallas. She was familiar with the roads. She left in good spirits.

Around 11:45 PM, she called her sister:

“I’m about an hour away. Just tired.”

That was the last phone call anyone ever received from her.

But it wasn't the last message.

At 12:07 AM, her phone sent one final chilling text to a friend:

“They’re not going to let me go. If I don’t come back, find my phone.”

Then — complete silence.

📱 The Phone Goes Dark — But Clues Emerge

The next morning, Susie’s car was found abandoned on the side of a quiet road near Highway 84.

Her purse and wallet were still inside

The car doors were unlocked

Her phone was gone

And her shoes were neatly placed by the roadside

There was no sign of a struggle, but the area looked like she had walked away — or been forced out.

Local police began a missing persons case.

But the case turned cold within 48 hours.

💀 The Discovery — Five Days Later

On October 8, a jogger noticed a foul smell coming from a wooded area 2 miles from Susie’s car.

Inside a shallow ditch, partially covered by branches, was a female body — wearing a t-shirt and jeans. The shoes were missing.

It was Susie Lyster.

Her phone was never found. Her cause of death?

“Undetermined.”

There were no visible wounds, no overdose indicators, and no water in her lungs to suggest drowning — despite the body being wet.

🔍 The Investigation — More Questions Than Answers

Detectives were baffled. The scene made no sense:

No defensive wounds

No clear signs of sexual assault

No footprints or drag marks

Her makeup was still intact — as if her body had been placed, not dumped

Even more chilling: autopsy revealed she had no drugs or alcohol in her system.

Her body temperature showed she likely died within 3 hours of that final text.

But from what?

🧩 Theories That Haunt the Case

1. Kidnapping Gone Wrong

The text implies she wasn’t alone.

Could someone have lured her off the road or picked her up under false pretenses?

But why leave her things behind — and her body so close to the car?

2. Human Trafficking or Cult Activity

The area where she vanished is known for isolated land and fringe groups.

Some believe she may have escaped — only to be killed before she could get help.

Her neat shoes, untouched makeup, and untouched car add to the ritual-like atmosphere of the scene.

3. Voluntary Meeting Turned Deadly

Others speculate she may have agreed to meet someone — possibly from an online app or secret relationship — and it turned violent.

But her phone records didn’t show suspicious messages.

Then again… the phone was never recovered.

🕵️ The Cryptic Text — A Digital Ghost

Experts who analyzed her final message say it was not auto-corrected, rushed, or glitchy. It was intentionally written.

And even more eerie — her phone pinged cell towers up to 3 hours after her death.

Was someone using it? Moving it? Watching from afar?

⚖️ No Arrests. No Charges. No Justice.

To this day, Susie Lyster’s death remains officially unexplained.

The case was quietly closed in 2018 after police declared there was “no evidence of homicide.”

But her family refuses to accept it.

Her sister told reporters:

“She was scared. That message was her last cry for help — and no one came.”

📺 Legacy and Media Impact

Though lesser-known, Susie’s case has gained traction through:

Reddit’s Unresolved Mysteries

TikTok true crime creators

YouTube documentaries

Small-town cold case blogs

It’s often referred to as:

“The Case of the Final Text.”

🕯️ Final Thoughts: What Did Susie See That Night?

Susie Lyster wasn’t reckless. She wasn’t unstable.

She was a daughter, sister, and friend — whose final message should’ve meant everything.

Instead, it became a question that still echoes in the dark:

Who were “they”?

Why wouldn’t they let her go?

And why has no one ever been held responsible?

Until her phone is found… or someone breaks their silence…

This case will remain one of the most haunting modern mysteries ever recorded.