On November 15, 2015, Thomas E. Messick Sr. disappeared during a hunting trip in the Adirondack wilderness of upstate New York. What initially appeared to be a missing hunter case quickly became one of the region's most puzzling unsolved disappearances. Despite an extensive search effort and years of follow-up investigation, no confirmed trace of Messick has ever been found.
Background
Thomas Messick was an 82-year-old resident of Troy, New York. He was a U.S. Army veteran, former paratrooper, and an experienced outdoorsman who had spent decades hunting in the Adirondack region.
On the day of his disappearance, Messick joined a group of friends and family members for a deer hunt near Lily Pond in the Lake George Wild Forest, an expansive area of public land in Warren County. According to investigators, the group had hunted together for many years.
Messick reportedly had limited vision in one eye and a history of heart problems, though he remained active and continued participating in hunting trips.
The Disappearance
The hunting party used a traditional deer-drive method. Several hunters, including Messick, were assigned stationary positions while younger members moved through the woods attempting to drive deer toward them.
Messick was reportedly seated near a tree stump along a line of hunters positioned not far from a logging road. The group expected to complete the drive and regroup during the afternoon.
When the other hunters returned, Messick was gone.
His rifle, walkie-talkie, and personal belongings were also missing. Members of the group searched the immediate area and attempted to contact him by radio, but received no response.
As daylight faded and no sign of Messick emerged, authorities were notified.
Search Efforts
The response quickly became one of the largest wilderness searches conducted in the Adirondacks in recent years.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers led the operation with assistance from:
- New York State Police
- Volunteer search-and-rescue teams
- Fire departments
- Helicopter crews
- Search dogs
- Divers
More than 300 searchers participated at various stages, covering approximately 29 square miles of rugged terrain around Lily Pond and Brant Lake.
Searchers combed forests, wetlands, rocky crevices, caves, and old mining areas. Helicopters conducted aerial searches while canine teams searched from the ground.
Despite these efforts, investigators found no physical evidence indicating what happened to Messick.
Investigation
The disappearance remains an active missing-person investigation.
Authorities have never publicly identified evidence of foul play. However, investigators have continued reviewing leads years after the initial search concluded.
According to New York State Police, missing-person investigations remain open until investigators determine what occurred.
Vanished Say's
One detail frequently discussed in media coverage involves reports that a member of the hunting party heard an unusual sound shortly before Messick's disappearance was discovered. Public descriptions of the noise vary, however, on Missing 411 - The Hunted, a member of the hunting party's family provides more details;
Now, this is fucking weird. It adds to the mystery and immediately sends your mind down a portal / hidden passage route. I know, I know. That's nuts. But the man has been missing for over 10 years. Where the hell could he have gone?
Theories and Questions
Medical Emergency
One possibility is that Messick suffered a medical event while alone in the woods. Given his age and reported history of heart problems, some family members initially considered this possibility.
Accident in Remote Terrain
The Lake George Wild Forest contains dense vegetation, rock formations, crevices, wetlands, and remnants of historical mining activity. Some observers believe Messick may have fallen into an area difficult for searchers to detect.
Disorientation or Exposure
Although Messick was familiar with hunting, even experienced outdoorsmen can become disoriented in wilderness environments. Search experts note that missing persons are sometimes overlooked despite extensive search operations.
Foul Play
Some commentators have questioned whether foul play could have occurred. However, authorities have not publicly released evidence supporting that conclusion.
Unusual Circumstances
The absence of any recovered belongings, combined with the failure to locate remains after years of searching, has led to significant speculation online. Many theories have circulated across forums, podcasts, and documentaries, but none have been substantiated by evidence released by investigators.
Current Status
Thomas Messick remains missing.
More than a decade after his disappearance, no confirmed evidence has been discovered explaining what happened to him. State authorities continue to classify the case as an active investigation, and periodic searches of the area have continued.