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Steven Haatja was a math professor at Chadron State College and was reported missing in 2006 when he didn't show up to teach his classes. In March of 2007, two men were traveling through a country area just south of the college and discovered a body tied to a tree and the area appears burnt. The body was later identified as Steven Haatja. An autopsy showed that the professor died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Because of the smoke inhalation, it was determined that he was alive when he was bound to the tree and the tree set on fire. Police discovered that Haatja had attempted suicide just a year earlier due to being lonely. Accelerant was found on his clothing and a near empty bottle of peppermint schnapps was near the body. His family has accepted that he may have committed suicide, therefore the case has been closed and no suspects have ever been arrested.