Aerial survey view of Lees CemeteryAerial survey · USDA NAIP · public domain
Cemetery / Burial Ground

Lees Cemetery

Rural Missouri Graveyard and Its Phantom Truck Legend

Verona, MO

Research updated May 2026

Age

All Ages

Cost

Free

Free. Rural cemetery with no organized facilities.

Access

Limited Access

Rural road access; unimproved cemetery grounds

Equipment

Photos OK

Phantom soundsApparitions

The dominant legend at Lees Cemetery in Verona involves a vehicle rather than a figure. Witnesses leaving the cemetery describe a truck appearing in their rearview mirrors and accelerating to fill the gap between the vehicles, coming close enough that a collision seems imminent — and then ceasing to exist.

The truck does not follow to a next destination. It does not pull alongside. It approaches, holds position just at the bumper line, and disappears. Accounts from the missourighosts.net regional archive describe the experience as deeply unsettling precisely because of the mundane vehicle form — a ghost in a headstone is expected; a truck in your mirrors is not.

The cemetery itself has associated reports that include strange sounds heard among the gravestones and a fog that appears and dissipates rapidly, without atmospheric conditions that would explain it. These accounts are less detailed and less consistent than the truck reports, which are the unique identifying feature of this location.

No historical accident, trucking tragedy, or violent event that might explain the vehicle legend has been identified through research. The phantom truck belongs to a regional tradition of road-based apparitions in rural Missouri.

Plan Your Visit

1 way to experience
Drive-By

Cemetery Approach

Lees Cemetery is a small rural graveyard near Verona, Missouri. The local phantom truck legend — a vehicle that aggressively tailgates cars leaving the cemetery before disappearing — has circulated in Lawrence County for decades. The cemetery grounds are accessible but offer no facilities.

Duration:
20 min

Sources & Further Reading

Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.

  1. 1.missourighosts.net/verona.html
  2. 2.findagrave.com/cemetery/2161395
  3. 3.lawrence.mogenweb.org/cem/01.htm

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lees Cemetery family-friendly?
Rural cemetery with no graphic content. The phantom truck legend involves a vehicle chase that dissipates before contact — unusual rather than frightening. The rural road setting at night is the primary atmospheric element. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Lees Cemetery?
Free. Rural cemetery with no organized facilities. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Lees Cemetery wheelchair accessible?
Lees Cemetery has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Rural road access; unimproved cemetery grounds.