James Harig Missing Person Case

Nov 20, 2012

Nov 11, 2021

James

Harig

38

25

71 inches

220 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the rugged landscape of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the story of a family's ongoing uncertainty began on February 5, 2012. On that day, 26-year-old James Robert Harig, a male from the Pottsville area, vanished under puzzling circumstances. According to reports from friends, they dropped him off that morning in the vicinity of Sharp Mountain, near the local SPCA. There are conflicting accounts of what happened next, but one version suggests James made a cryptic remark, stating, "This looks like a good place to get lost," before walking into the woods, never to be seen again. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as being 5'11" and weighing around 220 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. His appearance was distinguished by a small scar above his right eye and another on his chin, as well as two notable tattoos: the name "DYLAN" in block letters on his left leg, and the letters "FTW" on his right leg. The disappearance of James Harig prompted immediate concern and extensive search efforts from his family, friends, and local authorities. The area where he was last seen, Sharp Mountain, is known for its difficult terrain, characterized by numerous old mine shafts and rock slides, making the search operation particularly challenging. His family, still grieving the loss of James's father the previous year, was plunged into a new state of distress. His sister expressed the family's profound fear, while his mother recounted the unsettling story of his last known moments. While James had a history of dropping out of sight for short periods, these absences never lasted more than a couple of weeks. The fact that he left behind a young son, with whom his family says he would not have willingly severed contact, deepened the mystery and their anguish. As weeks turned into years, the case of James Harig has remained unsolved. Investigations confirmed that there had been no activity on his bank account, nor had he applied for unemployment benefits since he went missing. Numerous searches of the treacherous mountain landscape yielded no trace of him, although a shirt possibly belonging to him was reportedly found during one effort. Despite the lingering questions, law enforcement has stated that foul play is not suspected in his disappearance. The family's hope for answers has been punctuated by rumors and the painful passage of time without any new leads. The case remains an open investigation with the Pottsville Police Department, a quiet but persistent file representing a son and father who walked into the woods one winter morning and has not yet returned.

Feb 05, 2012

Pottsville

Pennsylvania

Schuylkill County

Pottsville

No

22351

Pottsville Police Department

Pottsville

Pennsylvania

Schuylkill County

17901

401 North Centre Street, Pennsylvania

5706221234

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.city.pottsville.pa.us/index.html

316-13

Pottsville Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

No

05/26/2026