A man was found dead in the woods after attending a music festival in Michigan, marking the event’s second tragedy in as many days.

Jerard ‘Jay’ Jackson, 28, from Illinois, was reported missing after he was seen leaving the Electric Forest Festival on Monday morning, June 29.

According to Michigan State Police, it appears Jackson took his own life and there is ‘no indication of foul play.’ 

Jackson’s body was located the next day in a wooded area in Rothbury, about 60 miles northwest of Grand Rapids, just two days after the body of a newborn was discovered in a portable restroom at the same festival. 

Jackson’s close friend, Connor Prettyman, posted in an Electric Forest Facebook group on Tuesday asking other festival goers for help before the body was eventually found.

Prettyman said that Jackson had left all his belongings at their shared campsite and didn’t seem himself at the time he went missing.

‘It is thought that he might have had some sort of mental crisis and wandered off when we were asleep,’ Prettyman said.

Jackson’s rental vehicle was found unoccupied a few miles from the festival grounds with his wallet and keys still inside.

Jerard ‘Jay’ Jackson, 28, was reported dead on June 30, after attending the Electric Forest music festival in Michigan

Jackson (pictured on right) had been missing for over 24 hours after being seen leaving the festival early Monday morning

The news marks the festival’s second major tragedy, coming two days after a newborn was found dead in a portable toilet at the same event

At around 3.30p Tuesday, local authorities reported Jackson’s body had been found. 

Close friends of Jackson posted many statements of adoration for their lost friend, all referencing his endless joy.

‘You never stopped f*cking smiling, you never stopped making this world a better place,’ said @jewstonee.

‘The most contagious smile in the world. I hope you now feel how truly loved you are Jay,’ added @aamandakay.

‘Behind that beautiful smile was a soul that had endured more than it ever spoke of,’ continued @ghostkissed.

‘The most contagious smile, you will be so missed jay,’ agreed @lizzlachapelle.

Jackson’s friend, Amanda Kay, declined to comment to the Daily Mail but said, ‘there is a ton of wrong information being spread. We are all just trying to grieve.’ 

Michigan police have stated that the investigation remains ongoing and is pending a final report from a medical examiner.

According to Michigan State Police, it appears Jackson took his own life and there is ‘no indication of foul play.’ The investigation is ongoing as police await final report from a medical examiner

 ‘The most contagious smile in the world. I hope you now feel how truly loved you are Jay’ posted Jackson’s friend, Amanda Kay (not pictured)

Instagram posts indicate Jackson and his friends have attended many music festivals, including past years’ Electric Forest

Electric Forest has not released a statement on the matter, and the Daily Mail has not received a response to its request for comment from Insomniac who are involved in organizing the event. 

The death came just after a ‘neonate’ baby, four weeks or younger, was discovered during routine maintenance of the restroom on Sunday morning.

Investigators are concerned for the health of the unidentified mother, and the case remains ongoing as they determine whether the death was criminal.

The infant’s identity and exact age have not yet been publicly released, and whether or not the death was criminal in nature is still being investigated.

Police requested that ‘people avoid speculation on social media out of respect for the investigation and those affected.’ The parents have also not been identified.

Electric Forest’s 2026 lineup included over 100 artists such as ILLENIUM, Kaskade, GRiZ, and The String Cheese Incident.

Admission prices this year varied starting at $150 for a general admission pass and going as high as $16,100, depending on the chosen lodging package.

Other offered activities consisted of arts, athletic and nature programs.