NH NH - William Neal Donovan 65, frm Cambridge MA, lives alone, avid hiker, no itinerary, veh in pkg lot Crawford Path Trailhd, Carroll since 16 Apr 2024

[Unalienable Rights]

William Neal Crawford
Age: 65
Resides: Cambridge, MA

His vehicle was parked in the parking lot of the Crawford Path Trailhead, Carroll, NH. Believed to have been parked there since April 16, 2024.

New Hampshire Fish & Game Dept was notified Sunday afternoon, April 28, that he was possibly missing in the area.

US Forest Service found that registered owner of the vehicle was William Neal Crawford. Cambridge, MA police conducted a welfare check at his home and it was discovered that he hadn't been seen for about two weeks.

He is an avid hiker. Hiking gear was found in his vehicle that would have been useful if he was planning a hike in the White Mountains.

He lives alone. If he was planning a hike there was no known itinerary. A handwritten note was found in his home indicating that he wanted to hike Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Adams.

Vehicle belonging to Massachusetts man who's believed to be missing found in NH

An investigation revealed the owner of the vehicle, identified as William Neal Donovan, 65, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, had not been seen for about two weeks.

www.newscentermaine.com

*****

Officials said this information led conservation officers and a volunteer drone team to search in and around the Crawford Path Trailhead, as well as near drainages and trails including Crawford Pth, Edmands Path, Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Pierce, and the ridgeline that connects them.

"No evidence of or clues to Donovan’s whereabouts were located," the release said. "There is still several feet of deep snow in the higher elevations, which hampered search efforts.".

*****
Because he has been unaccounted for 2 weeks, all immediate search activities have been suspended until further leads indicate where he might have traveled."

Officials are asking members of the hiking community who may know Donovan or have any information regarding his whereabouts to contact New Hampshire State Police Troop F at 603 846-3333 or email Lt. Mark Ober at mark.w.oberjr@wildlife.nh.gov.

Request for Information Regarding Missing Massachusetts Man

CONTACT:Lieutenant Mark Ober603-788-4850603-271-3361April 30, 2024 Driver’s license photo of William Donovan Carroll, NH – Late Sunday afternoon The NH Fish and Game Department was notified of a po…

nhfishgame.com

 

[GraceG]

If he had a hike planned, why did he leave some of (or all, it doesn't say) his hiking gear in his vehicle?

 

[carbuff]

A couple more articles. Mostly the same information.

Manchester NH tv news:

New Hampshire Fish and Game crews search for missing Massachusetts man

New Hampshire Fish and Game is asking for the public's help to find a Massachusetts man who they believe is missing in the White Mountains.

www.wmur.com

NH Union Leader (major newspaper) article: Bay State man missing in the White Mountains, car located in Carroll

 

[weepingangel]

N.H. authorities continue search for missing Mass. hiker in White Mountains despite snow

The 65-year-old man is an avid hiker and is believed to have gone hiking near Bretton Woods around April 16, according to authorities.

www.masslive.com

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I wish they would better explain the note left at home....

 

[annpats]

I wish they would better explain the note left at home....

Yes, that piqued my interest too!

If you live at home by yourself, no need to write a note.

Unless it was a suicide note. But the article doesn't state that.

 

[carbuff]

Yes, that piqued my interest too!

If you live at home by yourself, no need to write a note.

Unless it was a suicide note. But the article doesn't state that.

Assuming Mr. Carbuff is a typical hiker--he usually spends some time before he hikes going over his maps, checking routes and mileage, comparing hiking times for various routes, figuring out where he's going to be able to refill his water bladder or make sure he's got extra, etc. He takes the map and the information he needs and leaves the other notes behind.

So maybe they meant Donovan had been making that kind of planning notes.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Assuming Mr. Carbuff is a typical hiker--he usually spends some time before he hikes going over his maps, checking routes and mileage, comparing hiking times for various routes, figuring out where he's going to be able to refill his water bladder or make sure he's got extra, etc. He takes the map and the information he needs and leaves the other notes behind.

So maybe they meant Donovan had been making that kind of planning notes.

yes highly likely. But why mention it at all...

 

[Howl]

From the MassLive.com article linked by @weepingangel "Donovan's car is still parked at the Crawford Path parking lot. Notes have piled up on the front of the car, presumably from other hikers, dated April 18."
This is what really interests me. Were these notes from people he knew or strangers worried that he didn't return to his car? And why nothing after April 18?

Also, for those familiar with this part of the US, does the term "hiker" also include backpackers, or does it specifically refer to those headed out for long day hikes?

 

[carbuff]

From the MassLive.com article linked by @weepingangel "Donovan's car is still parked at the Crawford Path parking lot. Notes have piled up on the front of the car, presumably from other hikers, dated April 18."
This is what really interests me. Were these notes from people he knew or strangers worried that he didn't return to his car? And why nothing after April 18?

Also, for those familiar with this part of the US, does the term "hiker" also include backpackers, or does it specifically refer to those headed out for long day hikes?

Usually means anybody on foot, whether day hiking, backpacking, even snowshoeing in winter.

 

[Caring1]

Sadly, Mr. Donovan was found deceased.

May 13, 2024

CUTTS GRANT – The body of William Donovan, a hiker who had been missing since April 16, was located by searchers in the Dry River on Monday around 10:30 a.m.

Missing hiker's body found in Dry River

CUTTS GRANT – The body of William Donovan, a hiker who had been missing since April 16, was located by searchers in the Dry River on Monday around 10:30 a.m.

www.unionleader.com

 

[carbuff]

Same news, different article: "The body of a missing hiker from Massachusetts was found dead Monday, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game."

Missing hiker from Massachusetts found dead, NH Fish and Game says

Donovan’s body was found in the Dry River at around 10:30 a.m. Monday.

www.wmur.com