On April 3, 2011, 32-year-old Corey Lang was last seen in Erving, Massachusetts, in a devastating public event that would leave his family and community with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. Lang, a resident of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, drove to the French King Bridge that day, where he was witnessed taking his own life by firearm and falling into the Connecticut River below. Despite immediate and extensive search efforts by authorities, the river's current was strong, and his body was swept away before it could be recovered. The search for Corey was exhaustive but ultimately unsuccessful in locating his remains, leaving a painful void for those who knew and loved him. An obituary was later published, marking his death as an unexpected and tragic outcome of a long and courageous battle with mental illness.
Corey Michael Lang was born on January 4, 1979, and was a lifelong resident of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, aside from his years of military service.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2000, with deployments to Bosnia and Kuwait. After his military service, he worked as a mechanic. Corey was known for his love of reading, restoring old motorcycles, and taking trips across the country. He was an active individual who enjoyed running marathons and had hiked both the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail. However, Corey also faced significant personal challenges, having been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He had been hospitalized twice for his condition and was discharged from his second, six-month hospital stay just seven weeks before his death. He was described as a white male with dark brown hair kept very short, brown eyes, and standing between 5'8" and 5'9" tall. He had distinctive tattoos on both arms, one of a sword with the word "Forbearance" on it.
The investigation into Corey's disappearance was handled by the Massachusetts State Police and the Hinsdale, New Hampshire Police Department, who worked together given his residence and the location of his death. The circumstances of his passing were clear to investigators based on eyewitness accounts, but the inability to recover his body left his case with a lingering sense of incompletion. His case is classified as "Lost/Injured Missing." The disappearance of Corey Lang serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the silent battles many face with mental health. While the events of that April day are tragically clear, the failure to bring him home has meant a prolonged period of grieving for his family. His story is one of a vibrant life marked by service, adventure, and a private, difficult struggle.Last Seen: Apr 3, 2011
