UPDATE: Vermont State Police search for missing kayaker on Lake Champlain
On July 2, 2020 at approximately 12:00 pm the Vermont State Police was notified by the Quebec Provincial Police that a body had been found in the waters of Lake Champlain in Quebec. At approximately 4:30 pm the Vermont State Police received confirmation that the body found was that of Laurent Messier, who had departed from his lakefront home in St-Armand, Quebec, Canada via kayak on June 29, 2020.
No additional information is available and all inquiries should be directed to the Quebec Provincial Police – Durham Station at 450-266-1122.
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STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
CASE#: 20A202784
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Lt. Jerry Partin
STATION: St. Albans
CONTACT#: 802-524-5993
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, July 1, 2020
INCIDENT LOCATION: Missisquoi Bay on Lake Champlain
INCIDENT: Missing kayaker
NAME: Laurent Messier
AGE: 79
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: St-Armand, Quebec, Canada
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
The Vermont State Police is working in conjunction with other first responders in Vermont, federal authorities and police in Quebec to search for a missing kayaker.
The kayaker, identified as Laurent Messier, 79, of St-Armand, Quebec, was reported missing by his wife at about 8 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2020, to Quebec Provincial Police. Investigators determined that Mr. Messier departed his lakefront home on Champlain Avenue by kayak at about 2:30 p.m. Monday intending to paddle to Venise-en-Quebec. A Quebec Provincial Police helicopter located the kayak empty at about 1 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, on the Vermont side of the border in Gander Bay near the mouth of the Missisquoi River. The kayak was subsequently recovered by the Swanton Fire Department. Search efforts continued Tuesday involving air assets and personnel on shore. Mr. Messier was not located.
The search Wednesday, July 1, involves the Vermont State Police Scuba Team deploying on Missisquoi Bay on the Vermont side of the border. Other participating agencies include the Quebec Provincial Police, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Highgate and Swanton fire departments.
Mr. Messier is described as a white man, about 6 feet tall and weighing about 210 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a yellow lifejacket, blue swimsuit and beach sandals. Crews have not located a black oar he was carrying.
Anyone with information that may help in the search for Mr. Messier is asked to call the St. Albans Barracks at 802-524-5993.
Additional details will be released as they become available.
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