VT VT - Matthew Houskeeper, 59, last seen getting a haircut, car missing, phone inactive, missed work, Manchester, 14 Aug 2024

[FoxxTraxx]

Still missing, search to continue tomorrow.

Update No. 1: Westminster Barracks / Missing person

STATE OF VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY VERMONT STATE POLICE CASE#: 24B1005441 RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Sgt. Jason Len...

vtstatepolice.blogspot.com

Sounds like it was a pretty extensive search: Teams that participated in Saturday’s search included the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team and the Underwater Recovery Team; the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife; New England K9 Search and Rescue; and Rescue Inc.

 

[Parsnip]

No news this afternoon. Strength to Matthew’s family, who are undoubtedly suffering excruciating stress. As @FoxxTraxx noted, there are many souls working hard and hoping to bring this situation to a conclusion. Strength to all.

 

[mlhenn]

Vehicle of missing North Bennington man located in Whitingham

UPDATE: Matthew Houskeeper's vehicle has been located in Whitingham, near the Sherman Reservoir, said Vermont State Police (VSP) in a press release just before 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16.

www.manchesterjournal.com

Aug 18

Matthew Houskeeper, 59, was last seen at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, when he was getting a haircut at Camille's Hair Salon in Manchester, Vt.

He was reported missing after he did not show up for a scheduled 10 a.m. shift at Kevin’s Sports Pub in North Bennington — something very out of character according to family, friends and coworkers.

His vehicle was located at 2445 Tunnel St. in Whitingham, near Sherman Reservoir, around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, according to police

Police resumed their search of the area on Saturday to no avail, and intended to resume the search on Sunday.

 

[Parsnip]

Still missing

“SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

The search continued Sunday for Matthew Housekeeper, 59, of Bennington. He remains missing.



Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to call the Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4600; the Bennington Police Department at 802-442-1030; or provide an anonymous tip online at Submit a Tip | Vermont State Police.”

Update No. 2: Westminster Barracks / Missing person

STATE OF VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY VERMONT STATE POLICE CASE#: 24B1005441 RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Sgt. Jason Len...

vtstatepolice.blogspot.com

 

[FoxxTraxx]

Still missing

“SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

The search continued Sunday for Matthew Housekeeper, 59, of Bennington. He remains missing.

I'm really surprised there are no updates on finding Matthew by today. His car was found 3 full days ago. I just searched news sites and a variety of social media sites to no avail. This includes the Bennington VT police FB page.

If there were a mishap with his kayak I would expect to at least find the paddles. And most kayaks used on lakes don't sink to the bottom if overturned.
Have you ever wondered if a kayak can sink?.... While it may seem implausible, the answer is yes, a kayak can indeed sink. However, fear not, for such an occurrence is exceedingly rare. News Article - Can a kayak sink?

 

[nhmemorymaker]

still missing... but latest in local news...

Still no sign of missing North Bennington man after weekend search in Whitingham

“There are crews out today, though the search has been scaled back somewhat,” said Adam Silverman, Public information officer for VSP, in an email on Monday. “The Department of Fish & Wildlife will have a boat on the water.”

www.benningtonbanner.com

 

[FoxxTraxx]

“There are crews out today, though the search has been scaled back somewhat,”

If they are scaling back the search, they must have searched in all the most likely places for someone to be found. Since his car was fond parked at the reservoir, I have been assuming that is where he will be found. But perhaps not.

 

[acutename]

Beautiful posts all the way through...
Especially regarding his mother in2022. Twas quite moved....

father died 8/17/21....

Matthew Houskeeper​

eoSrnptosd827101198560A1a2i h3i1u s2751,u1m5l94umt84g00tg967 ·

Swiss Family Robinson, 1968.
Dad at the helm, and me on Jackie O's lap
It's my father who introduced me to the ocean.
RIP Dad
1930- 2021

 

[nhmemorymaker]

father died 8/17/21....

Matthew Houskeeper​

eoSrnptosd827101198560A1a2i h3i1u s2751,u1m5l94umt84g00tg967 ·

Swiss Family Robinson, 1968.
Dad at the helm, and me on Jackie O's lap
It's my father who introduced me to the ocean.
RIP Dad
1930- 2021

I got totally captured with all his lovely family history posts...
What an exciting life they all lived.

As I said earlier, this is my backyard... I have been tempted to step into Kevin's Sports Bar since I will be going right by today on my way to Manchester.... but there is really nothing to learn, and my guess is that any mention will only bring sadness....
This is a very loved man... and my guess is that everyone is just assuming he is in those waters.....

 

[nhmemorymaker]

No update on Matt, but all posts today are desperately seeking ANYONE who has seen the blue and white kayak.
THAT was one of our questions early on... so it IS missing....

 

[Kris_W]

DBM

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

I'm in western MA and there were really bad isolated storms in New England Sunday night. SW Connecticut near New Haven and even northern NY city area like New Rochelle area saw 6-10" of rain and horrible flooding and I know many of the intense radar areas went NE of us. I wonder if he was canoeing and something bad happened if his body could have been sent downstream miles away from where they may have been looking after the storms a few days after he was reported missing...

 

[TTF14]

I'm in western MA and there were really bad isolated storms in New England Sunday night. SW Connecticut near New Haven and even northern NY city area like New Rochelle area saw 6-10" of rain and horrible flooding and I know many of the intense radar areas went NE of us. I wonder if he was canoeing and something bad happened if his body could have been sent downstream miles away from where they may have been looking after the storms a few days after he was reported missing...

That is a good thought! His body AND the kayak. Kayak may be easier to spot .

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

That is a good thought! His body AND the kayak. Kayak may be easier to spot .

I'd love to think the authorities are onto this but one always wonders. And if he was a skilled water lover/boater, and was boating on his own during calm weather, what on earth happened? Medical emergency while kayaking alone? Possible for sure...

 

[TTF14]

I'd love to think the authorities are onto this but one always wonders. And if he was a skilled water lover/boater, and was boating on his own during calm weather, what on earth happened? Medical emergency while kayaking alone? Possible for sure...

Authorities may be onto it, but how good is their communication to the public to be on the lookout in another area?

Seems like he either encountered rougher waters than he planned on or had a medical emergency. If he is no longer with us, I hope he didn't die scared.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I'm in western MA and there were really bad isolated storms in New England Sunday night. SW Connecticut near New Haven and even northern NY city area like New Rochelle area saw 6-10" of rain and horrible flooding and I know many of the intense radar areas went NE of us. I wonder if he was canoeing and something bad happened if his body could have been sent downstream miles away from where they may have been looking after the storms a few days after he was reported missing...

He had just come back from spending time in Rhode Island. And clearly he has always been an expert on water.... I thought maybe he was just wanting quieter kayak water after his time on the RI ocean. Ive picnicked on the northern point of the reservoir, near Wilmington... just seems to be a big mild body of water!

I dunno... Its not like there aren't lots of accidents with bodies of water.... its just that water and boats are just a main part of his life....

 

[GMS]

He had just come back from spending time in Rhode Island. And clearly he has always been an expert on water.... I thought maybe he was just wanting quieter kayak water after his time on the RI ocean. Ive picnicked on the northern point of the reservoir, near Wilmington... just seems to be a big mild body of water!

I dunno... Its not like there aren't lots of accidents with bodies of water.... its just that water and boats are just a main part of his life....

I wonder if he (MH) had previously kayaked the reservoir...not that it would preclude an accident or medical emergency from happening, but he would be more familiar and aware of any possible challenges the reservoir presented; ie. current changes or obstacles hidden just under the water that he could have hit or encountered.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

I saw a brief update today that says helicopters have been flown over the portion of the reservoir that lies within Massachusetts to search for Matthew. Search & Resue teams are scouting the shoreline in VT. Where could Matthew be?

 

[Parsnip]

Here is a description of the reservoir. There are some hazards - The Sherman Reservoir straddles the Vermont and Massachusetts border. There are power generation facilities located at the Sherman Dam in Rowe, Massachusetts to the south and, a tunnel, conducting water from Harriman Reservoir 2.5 miles away (Snip) At about mile 1.6 the reservoir becomes a river with large rocks and a cold current. Eventually it becomes impassable especially in the autumn when only a minimum flow is present. (Snip) Read and observe the sign! This is where the discharge from power generation enters from Harriman Reservoir. Warnings are given by a horn and flashing light just before discharge. The water can rise quickly and create a strong current. Sherman Reservoir on VT/MA border

BBM: I would assume the state police would know if there had been a discharge during the time Matthew might have been in the area. But even if there had been a discharge and it surprised Matthew, causing a capsize, wouldn’t the kayak have been found? Where is it?

Likewise, with a medical emergency, wouldn’t the kayak have been found by now?

Is it possible that someone found and claimed it, not knowing its provenance?

Ugh. What a baffling and heartbreaking case.

 

[NewMommy09]

BBM: I would assume the state police would know if there had been a discharge during the time Matthew might have been in the area. But even if there had been a discharge and it surprised Matthew, causing a capsize, wouldn’t the kayak have been found? Where is it?

Likewise, with a medical emergency, wouldn’t the kayak have been found by now?

Is it possible that someone found and claimed it, not knowing its provenance?

Ugh. What a baffling and heartbreaking case.

I was reading your post and it triggered a thought. Perhaps he's somewhere on land using the kayak as shelter? Very possible if it sprung a leak of some type he wasn't able to fix. I hope they are not only looking for the kayak on the water or beached.