My tentant's father just called me to tell me his son is missing and he wants to break the lease?

[Maurice Davis]

My tentant's rent was due on September 1st and have not received it.  I tried to reach through text and left a message on his cell phone with no response.  His father just called today asking me if he had seen his son.  I said no and then he asked if I knew anything of his where abouts and I said he told me he was taking a vacation at the end of August which was spoken a couple of months ago the last time I spoke to his son.  Then the father told me he cleared out the condo two weeks ago.  The father then asked me about breaking the lease rather than go the lawyer and court route.  I told him I would speak to him tomorrow because I was at work.  Something sounds fishy here.  Why did the father clear out the condo and how come he has not filed a missing persons report.  I have to call him back tomorrow to further investigate this situation or should I contact a real estate lawyer? What should I do? We live in New Jersey by the way.   Any help would be appreciated?   

Thanks,

Maurice

[Rob K.]

Sounds like your tenant is in jail. Does your county have a website where you can look up inmates? Mine does. Anytime a tenant has gone missing, that's the first place I check.