Michael Cavallari: A Timeline of His Troubled Past and Tragic Disappearance

Kristin Cavallari's brother had multiple run-ins with the law before his untimely death

Photo: Courtesy Grand County, Utah, Sheriff's Office

Michael Cavallari, the brother of Kristin Cavallari, was found dead on Dec. 10, 2015, at the age of 30, nearly two weeks after he was reported missing.

Utah police began searching for Michael on Nov. 27, after his 2014 Honda Civic was discovered abandoned on I-70 in the state.

Michael had a "troubled" past, a source close to the family previously told PEOPLE, which included several run-ins with the law. His last arrest took place just days before his disappearance.

Below is a timeline of some of the difficult moments in Michael's life leading up to his vanishing and the search that followed.

July 2012: Michael is charged with petty theft.

The charges were ultimately dismissed.

November 2014: Michael is found guilty of a DUI.

He was sentenced to three years of probation, $390 in fines, one day in jail, three months of a first-offender alcohol program and victim impact counseling. He was previously found guilty of driving at an unsafe speed and driving while using a cell phone.

Nov. 23, 2015: Michael is arrested.

An unnamed Orange County woman claimed he was standing outside her apartment with a shotgun after they got into an argument. Michael was briefly held in jail.

Nov. 27, 2015: Michael is captured on a gas station surveillance video.

Michael was seen entering a gas station 75 miles from where his car was later found that day.

Nov. 27, 2015: Michael's car is discovered abandoned.

Police in Grand County, Utah, found his 2014 Honda Civic file miles south of exit 175 on I-70.

Dec. 7, 2015: Kristin thanks supporters, confirming her brother is missing.

The Laguna Beach star shared a photo on Instagram of her and Michael as children, writing, "I appreciate all the concern, thoughts, and prayers that have been extended to me and my family. We remain hopeful and I will share any news that we receive. I have such gratitude for all those that have shared their support."

Dec. 8, 2015: Details of Michael's troubled past emerge.

A source told PEOPLE that Michael "was always a troubled kid" of whom Kristin "was always very protective."

Dec. 10, 2015: Michael's body is found.

"We want to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers during this very difficult time. We have just been informed by the authorities my brother's body has been found," Kristin told PEOPLE in a statement. "This is a very painful time and we are still processing it all. We kindly ask everyone please respect our privacy during our time of grieving."

Dec. 10, 2015: Kristin posts touching tribute to her brother on Instagram.

"My heart is in a million pieces," she wrote. "Mikey, I could always count on you to make me laugh. You had such a good heart and will be forever missed. I'm at a loss for words but I know u are in a better place and finally at peace. I love u so much RIP"

Dec. 14, 2015: Kristin credits daughter Saylor with helping her to cope through her grief.

While mourning the loss of her late brother, Kristin posted a touching tribute on Instagram, revealing that there was one special person helping her get through it: daughter Saylor James, whom she shares with ex-husband Jay Cutler. Saylor was born on Nov. 23, 2015, just days before Michael disappeared.

She wrote, "My little angel, Saylor. She has been my light throughout this whole thing and has given me so much strength. Thank you baby girl for coming when u did."

Feb. 10, 2016: Autopsy reveals Michael died from exposure to cold temperatures.

Two months after his body was found three miles from his car, the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office ruled that his death was accidental and caused by hypothermia from exposure to cold temperatures.

Before the autopsy results were revealed, Sheriff Steven White of Grand County, Utah, told PEOPLE there was no indication of suicide or foul play. White also said that search patterns indicated Michael was "disoriented" before his death.

Nov. 26, 2017: Kristin shares emotional tribute to Michael on the second anniversary of his death.

"This past week has been hard — it's the 2nd anniversary of losing my brother and even though the date we go with is the 27th, for me it will always be the Saturday after Thanksgiving (we will never truly know the exact date even though we have a pretty good idea)," she wrote on Instagram, alongside a black-and-white childhood photo of her and Michael.

Nov. 26, 2018: Kristin posts another homage to her late brother.

Kristin captioned a photo on Instagram of the two in the kitchen with drinks: "Home from a busy morning and thinking of my brother. Today is the 3 year anniversary of his passing and I think this year is one of the hardest- as it's real now. He's not coming back and the shock is finally gone. Today and every single day, Mikey, we miss you."

March 5, 2020: Kristin honors Michael on Very Cavallari

During an episode on season 3 of Very Cavallari, Kristin paid tribute to her late brother by bringing a photo and a gold coin she found soon after his death to a church in Italy.

"If he can't be with me in the flesh, I just think it's a nice thing to do to honor him in spirit," she said.