Account
Sep 23, 2013
Feb 21, 2024
Charles
Gauthier
109
86
64 inches
130 lbs
American Indian / Alaska Native
Male
In the early morning hours of March 27, 2001, in the quiet of Richmond Township, Michigan, 86-year-old Charles Raymond Gauthier, known affectionately as "Smokey," vanished. A resident of the Richmond Residential Care Facility, Charles was living with dementia and required medication which he did not have with him when he disappeared. He was last seen between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m., having wandered away from the care facility. Later that morning, he was spotted walking along M-35 near the Empire Iron Mine. Concerns for his well-being were immediate, given his medical condition and the fact that he was not dressed for the weather, possibly wearing only light brown dress pants and a flannel shirt without a coat. His reddish-brown dress shoes were also missing from his closet, and he was likely wearing a sterling silver ring with "DAD" in raised lettering. The initial investigation and search efforts were extensive. The Michigan State Police from the Negaunee Post led the investigation, joined by K-9 units and search personnel from Marquette County Search and Rescue, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The search encompassed the area around Palmer, Michigan, with teams on foot, all-terrain vehicles, and in the air. Despite the thorough search, no trace of Charles was found. A significant and troubling clue was discovered during the investigation: shoe prints in the snow by the road, believed to be Charles's, came to an abrupt end next to a set of fresh tire tracks. This has led authorities to believe that he may have been picked up by a passing motorist, though what happened after that remains a mystery. Years have passed since Charles Gauthier was last seen, and his case remains unsolved. He is described as a Native American male with gray hair and brown eyes, standing at 5'4" and weighing around 130 pounds. He had a scar on his abdomen and another across his nose, just above his nostrils. The disappearance of Charles, an elderly man in a vulnerable state, has left a lasting impact on those who knew him and the wider community. The lack of answers has been a heavy burden for his family. The official investigation remains open, a quiet but persistent effort to uncover the truth of what happened on that cold March morning. The prevailing theory remains that he accepted a ride from a stranger, but without any further evidence or witnesses, his ultimate fate is unknown. The case of Charles "Smokey" Gauthier is a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring pain of unresolved loss.
Mar 27, 2001
Richmond Twp.
Michigan
Marquette County
No
14213
Michigan State Police - Neguanee Post
Negaunee
Michigan
Marquette County
49866
Kevin Ryan
D/Sgt.
180 US Highway 41, Michigan
9064759922
State
Law Enforcement
81-833-01
2001-03-27
Michigan State Police - Neguanee Post
Gray or Partially Gray
Brown
Brown
06/04/2026
