Lott was last seen in Richmond, Virginia on September 26, 2008. He lived in the 6300 block of Elkhardt Lane, on the south side of the James River. He spoke to his long-distance girlfriend on the day of his disappearance, which was the day after her birthday, and she says their conversation was happy and normal. They had made plans for her to come to Richmond from her home in New Jersey on September 30 for an extended stay at his house. He wished her a happy birthday and told her he would call her in about an hour, but he never did and has never been heard from again. Shortly after his conversation with his girlfriend, Lott's black 2006 or 2007 Saturn Vue was found abandoned at a shopping center in the 4800 block of Commonwealth Center Parkway, five miles from his home; it was impounded and towed. On September 30, his girlfriend traveled to Richmond to see him as planned. He was supposed to meet her at the train station. After waiting for several hours, calling three phone numbers for him and being unable to reach him, she went to his house to check on him. The house was locked and deserted, with all the burglar alarms set. Lott's cats were inside; they hadn't been fed in some time. Lott grew up in New York City.