My Northern Wisconsin

Covering Ashland, Iron, Lincoln, Oneida, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Vilas Counties


VILAS COUNTY: MISSING ELDERLY MAN FOUND DECEASED


On September 19, 2022, the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department responded to a report of a missing person.

Harvey La Belle, 84, was last seen at about 8:00 p.m. on September 18th.  However, when family checked on him the next morning at approximately 11 a.m., Harvey was not at his home.  Given he reportedly had dementia, the family immediately checked his known locations.  When they could not find him, they reported him as missing.

The Tribal Police Department immediately initiated its search protocol with officers attempting to lcoated him.  According to the Vilas County Sheriff's Office, "A request for assistance was issued, and area first responders arrived to provide aid. The Newbold Fire Department Search and Rescue responded with a number of highly trained search and rescue dogs, and the Tribal Roads Department assisted with barricading and support."

Around 5:15 p.m., a Newbold Search and Rescue canine alerted authorities near the shore of Long Interlaken Lake in Lac du Flambeau.  During the immediate search of the area, an adult male's body was found in the shallow lake water.  Police and family members were able to positively identify the deceased man as Harvey La Belle.  The Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene to remove the body.  While the exact cause of death is unknown, foul play is not suspected.

The Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department and the Lac du Flambeau Tribe wished to thank Newbold Fire Department Search and Rescue, Vilas County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center, Lac du Flambeau EMS and Fire Department, Lac du Flambeau Emergency Management, Lac du Flambeau Tribal Roads, Judge Gary Smith, William Wildcat, Sr., and the numerous community members who volunteered with search efforts.