MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 2006-43
George James LaForest
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Indian Lake, New York
Summary:
George James LaForest Jr., a 45-year-old avid fisherman and outdoorsman from Stillwater, New York, disappeared on April 21, 2006, while fishing near Indian Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. His truck was found four days later at a dead-end parking area by the Cedar River with all his personal belongings inside. Despite extensive search efforts including dive teams and cadaver dogs, no trace of him has ever been found.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
George LaForest was last seen on April 21, 2006, at approximately 1:30 p.m. at a seasonal camp he owned near Indian Lake, New York, in the Adirondack Mountains. He had initially planned to go fishing with a neighbor, but those plans were cancelled at the last minute, and LaForest decided to go fishing alone. He was staying at the seasonal camp in Indian Lake at the time. On April 25, 2006, four days after his disappearance, his truck was discovered parked at an unpopulated dead-end location next to the Cedar River, an area popular with swimmers and fishermen where he often fished. Inside the vehicle were his wallet, cell phone, ATM cards, credit cards, several packs of Winston cigarettes, and a partially used can of worms, indicating he was about to go fishing. The weekend before the search began, a torrential downpour had raised the level of the Cedar River four feet in 24 hours, which authorities believed may have washed away any tracks or evidence. He was reported missing on April 25 after he did not report to work and missed a scheduled meeting.
Additional Details:
The search for LaForest extended for nearly three weeks in spring 2006. Dive teams scoured the bottom of the Cedar River and a cadaver dog searched its banks, but turned up no indications of his whereabouts. Forest rangers noted that not a single footprint, scrap of paper, or piece of clothing was found during the two-week search. LaForest was an avid outdoorsman and very familiar with the area, making his disappearance even more mysterious. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as an expert carpenter who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. His case has remained unsolved since 2006. His sister, Joan Golden, described the loss by saying his disappearance was like he "just vanished into thin air." LaForest's name was added to a list of missing New Yorkers. His case has been featured in discussions of the "Indian Lake Triangle," an area near Indian Lake where multiple men disappeared in the mid-2000s. Since his disappearance, no trace of LaForest has been found.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
Extensive search efforts underway including dive teams and cadaver dogs along Cedar River and surrounding terrain. Search continues for nearly three weeks with no results.
LaForest reported missing after failing to report to work and missing scheduled meeting. His truck found at dead-end parking area by Cedar River with personal belongings inside.
Torrential downpour raised Cedar River level four feet in 24 hours, potentially washing away tracks and evidence.
George LaForest last seen at his seasonal camp near Indian Lake, New York. He went fishing alone after planned fishing trip with neighbor was cancelled.
Associated Persons
Joan G. (Sibling) - Living
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