ME ME - Chance Lauer, 19, U Maine student, no vehicle, wallet in his room, phone turned off, last seen near the campus, Orono, 19 Jan 2026

[Unalienable Rights]

https://www.facebook.com/oronopolice/posts/pfbid04dHN1ChrbkpMABTdqcom84EBR9WgNroL9jcd985N8oqRwPrkHUZFL4j9QXY4P8GXl

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife​

5d · (January 24)

***Maine Warden Service, MASAR Volunteers Search For Missing Man in Orono***

ORONO, Maine – The Maine Warden Service, along with trained searchers from the Maine Association of Search and Rescue (MASAR), are searching for missing man in Orono.

Chance Lauer, age 19, was last seen on Monday, January 19th at the Orchard Trail Apartments in Orono where he lives. Lauer is 5’8” tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with any information regarding Chance Lauer is encouraged to call the Maine State Police dispatch at 207-973-3700.

Game Wardens plan to begin ground searches in the Orono area at 8:00 a.m. with members of the Maine Warden Service, MASAR and ten total K9 units from the Maine Warden Service and Maine Search and Rescue Dogs (MESARD)
Due to the extreme weather conditions expected tomorrow, the Maine Warden Service is not asking for any volunteers at this time. If anyone has any information regarding Chance Lauer, please contact Maine State Police Dispatch at 207-973-3700.

If any new information becomes available, this release will be updated.

The Sun

The Best for News, Sport, Showbiz, Celebrities

www.the-sun.com

January 26, 2026

*****
University of Maine campus trails remain closed after the sudden disappearance of Lauer, 19, a week ago – ahead of Winter Storm Fern.

*****
And the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) issued an emergency notification on Saturday.

*****
“UMPD is assisting the Orono Police Department in an active search for a missing person last seen in the Orono area near the University of Maine campus,” it added.

*****
“Community members are asked to stay clear of active search areas and to
follow all posted signage and instructions from law enforcement.”

 

[FoxxTraxx]

This case is getting a lot of attention on social media but nothing of interest is being communicated. No news updates either.

 

[wendybtn]

I can't find anything new on this young man.

 

[mlhenn]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Circumstances of Disappearance
Chance took a bus from Portland, Maine to Orono, Maine on Sunday, 01/18/2026. Chance arrived at his apartment in Orono. He was greeted by, and last seen by, one of his roommates that evening. Chance has not been seen since. He does not have a vehicle. Residence in the area are asked to check any security cameras they may have as well as out-buildings.

 

[Lisbeth_S]

I wonder what's the roommate's story...last person to see him.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I hope he is okay and will be located safe. Thinking about his poor family...

 

[katydid23]

I wonder what's the roommate's story...last person to see him.

I had the same thought----been reading here at WS for too long. But still....

 

[FoxxTraxx]

Search for missing UMaine student Chance Lauer paused until spring, Orono PD and family comment on investigation​

University of Maine News Report - Search for Chance Postponed as of 2/2/26

There is a lot of information in this story. But it boggles my mind they are not searching for Chance. When does spring arrive in Maine??!??

“At this point after the search and after the extensive searching that was done over the two days this past weekend, and the almost 18 inches in snow we got, there’s not really much more that we can do until springtime comes. Short of new information, obviously,”

 

[GraceG]

Search for missing UMaine student Chance Lauer paused until spring, Orono PD and family comment on investigation​

University of Maine News Report - Search for Chance Postponed as of 2/2/26

There is a lot of information in this story. But it boggles my mind they are not searching for Chance. When does spring arrive in Maine??!??

“At this point after the search and after the extensive searching that was done over the two days this past weekend, and the almost 18 inches in snow we got, there’s not really much more that we can do until springtime comes. Short of new information, obviously,”

That article had quite a bit of information. Apparently he wasn't enrolled in Spring classes, and may have been making plans to work for a while and come back later, following a staph infection last year that made him sick. I understand that, I had a staph infection from a small leg wound, that went septic (It was COVID and I coudln't get in to see a doctor) and I ended up in ICU with septic shock. It took me months to get my strength and mindset back.

Searchers for Chance worked in brutal conditions - so I understand as well, decisions made to keep those searching safe.

My thoughts go out to Chance's friends and family.