NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) --The family of Joshua LeBlanc, a New Iberia native and NASA electrical engineer, is searching for answers after his car was found abandoned and burned beyond recognition two hours away from his home in Huntsville, Alabama.

LeBlanc, 29, was reported missing earlier this week after he failed to show up for work Tuesday morning. According to family members, his last communication came at 4:32 a.m. that day.

Originally from New Iberia, LeBlanc graduated from Catholic High and later earned his degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He had relocated to Huntsville, where he worked at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

Authorities in Alabama tracked LeBlanc’s blue Tesla Model 3 using vehicle data. The car reportedly sat at the Huntsville International Airport for four hours early Tuesday morning, just 12 minutes from his apartment, before traveling west along rural backroads.

By 2 p.m. Tuesday, the vehicle was discovered in Florence, Alabama, crashed and destroyed. A body was found inside, but according to family members, it was burned beyond recognition.

What has concerned his family even more are the details left behind. LeBlanc’s phone, wallet, and even his dog were still at his apartment. Family members said the unexpected detour and lack of communication do not match any of Joshua’s plans for the day.

Now, they fear he may have been abducted from his home.

The family is urging Tesla to release video from the car’s Sentry Mode system, which may have captured crucial footage. So far, however, they say progress has been slow due to delays between the company and law enforcement agencies.

Late Thursday, Alabama State Highway Patrol confirmed it is now leading the investigation into LeBlanc’s disappearance.

This is a developing story. Anyone with information is urged to contact Alabama Law Enforcement Agency at 334-676-6003 or local law enforcement.

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