Found Deceased MI - Robert Loren Bacon, 52, disappeared on family trip, Frankenmuth, 27 Dec 2024

[imstilla.grandma]

In an update on Facebook, the Frankenmuth Police Department said there had been no activity on financial accounts and no confirmed sightings of Robert.

Police search the Cass River area in Lapeer County and say they are confident that Robert is not on land anywhere in the area. The Saginaw County Sheriff's Department's dive team searched an area river with their sonar boat, but they were unable to find him.

Frankenmuth police provide update on missing 52-year-old man

The Frankenmuth Police Department is still looking for 52-year-old Robert Bacon last seen on Dec. 27.

www.abc12.com

 

[mlhenn]

"We just want answers," A man goes missing and he's last seen in Frankenmuth hotel

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. - Robert Bacon was last seen on December 27.His ex-wife and the mother to his two children say he was seen inside the Bavarian Inn in Franken

midmichigannow.com

His ex-wife tells me he made it to the hotel and was even inside with his mom and daughters but hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

"He arrived at 6:40 per their cameras, showing him walking to the room with his belongings, then exiting the room after he dropped off his stuff and went down to the Fun Center, which is by the pool. He was going to meet our youngest daughter down at the pool. She wanted her dad to watch her swim. He never made it to the pool,"

 

[truthfinder2019]

IMO the probability he unfortunately fell by accident in the Cass River is quite high. Makes me think of the Victoria Taylor case in the UK.

This site whows the Cass River water levels in Frankenmouth, around the days of the disappearance it was quite low.

Cass River at Frankenmuth, MI

Discover water data collected at monitoring location USGS-04151500, located in Saginaw County, Michigan and find additional nearby monitoring locations.

waterdata.usgs.gov

There are some rapids just before the location of the Inn, so in that place the water must flow more rapidly.

RiverConditions – Cass River Water Trail

cassriverwatertrail.org

The Cass River flows west through the cities of Caro, Vassar, and Frankenmuth into the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. Cass River water eventually ends up in the Saginaw River and Bay, thenLake Huron.

The mean (average) flow is 305 cubic feet per second for the Cass River in Frankenmuth.

http://www.cassriver.org/uploads/1/1/0/5/11050970/chapter_2_-_watershed_characteristics.pdf

 

[haggis]

IMO the probability he unfortunately fell by accident in the Cass River is quite high. Makes me think of the Victoria Taylor case in the UK.

This site whows the Cass River water levels in Frankenmouth, around the days of the disappearance it was quite low.

Cass River at Frankenmuth, MI

Discover water data collected at monitoring location USGS-04151500, located in Saginaw County, Michigan and find additional nearby monitoring locations.

waterdata.usgs.gov

There are some rapids just before the location of the Inn, so in that place the water must flow more rapidly.

RiverConditions – Cass River Water Trail

cassriverwatertrail.org

The Cass River flows west through the cities of Caro, Vassar, and Frankenmuth into the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. Cass River water eventually ends up in the Saginaw River and Bay, thenLake Huron.

The mean (average) flow is 305 cubic feet per second for the Cass River in Frankenmuth.

http://www.cassriver.org/uploads/1/1/0/5/11050970/chapter_2_-_watershed_characteristics.pdf

Does anyone know how easy it is to access the river from the main building he was last seen in?

Could he have thought he was walking to the parking lot but taken a wrong turn?

 

[Parsnip]

Does anyone know how easy it is to access the river from the main building he was last seen in?

Could he have thought he was walking to the parking lot but taken a wrong turn?

Here is a link to a photo of the Inn. There doesn’t appear to be a barrier of any kind between the grounds and the river.

Google Image Result for https://www.michigan.org/sites/default/files/styles/listing_slideshow/public/listing_images/profile/13170/6fa458cfdf0c81ce7bd12ff0eb971dfe_bavarianinnlodge2020.jpg?itok=TMYchMuT

 

[Joe Friday]

It would be interesting to know what attire Mr Bacon was wearing when he went into the room to drop off his belongings and what he was wearing when he exited the room to go to the pool.

According to his ex-wife he "went to the hotel room to change out of his shoes and slides, was going to meet our daughter down at the pool area."

It is cold in Michigan. I don't imagine he would still be wearing a coat when he exited the room if he was going to an indoor pool.

If he was wearing no coat, a swimsuit and slides when he left the room and went out to move the car, I don't think he would have walked very far and possibly fell in the river.

A man walking around outside in the middle of winter in Michigan wearing a swimsuit would be a remember-able thing and I think if someone seen him they would remember that and report it.

Why wouldn't he move the car, before he changed?


JMO

 

[TMich6811]

Does anyone know how easy it is to access the river from the main building he was last seen in?

Could he have thought he was walking to the parking lot but taken a wrong turn?

I live about 10 min away and am in Frankenmuth almost daily

From the resort area to the river is about a 2 minute walk.

Someone noted previously in the thread that it’s not on the main drag. While correct, it’s really only a few minutes walk to the main drag.

A few things to consider knowing the area as well as I do -

This resort is going through a massive expansion.

Outdoors is heavily Littered with construction.

The river is not fenced at all. There are several look out points and bridge that do have barriers but not the actual river. ETA the back of the resort does have a slope into the river but again, it would be quite the accident to land in the river from that.

Even though it’s not fenced, If he left the building and was in the river without any involvement of another party he would have had to either IMO

1. been intoxicated and totally misjudged where he was. It’s not really an easy accident. But likely good of leaving the exact doors without cameras seems unlikely, possible I guess.

2. Intentionally went into the river.

3. Was sober minded but close the river for some other reason and slipped in, but again, why be so close in winter and potentially swim trunks? Or not meeting your daughter like intended?

Even though it’s not main drag, the area is very very busy during this time of year. The chances of not being seen on camera or by a person is basically 0 and makes the whole thing extra odd.

I haven’t paid close attention to this until now but strongly feel a full sweep of the hotel and resort area are necessary, rooms included.

 

[TMich6811]

Also not related specifically to him, as a parent who frequents this resort, I’ll be sending some strong communication to the resort. I find it horrifying that a children’s resort has any exit without cameras

 

[cocomod]

Welcome @TMich6811! We really, really appreciate local opinions here! Thank you for your perspective.

 

[haggis]

I live about 10 min away and am in Frankenmuth almost daily

From the resort area to the river is about a 2 minute walk.

Someone noted previously in the thread that it’s not on the main drag. While correct, it’s really only a few minutes walk to the main drag.

A few things to consider knowing the area as well as I do -

This resort is going through a massive expansion.

Outdoors is heavily Littered with construction.

The river is not fenced at all. There are several look out points and bridge that do have barriers but not the actual river. ETA the back of the resort does have a slope into the river but again, it would be quite the accident to land in the river from that.

Even though it’s not fenced, If he left the building and was in the river without any involvement of another party he would have had to either IMO

1. been intoxicated and totally misjudged where he was. It’s not really an easy accident. But likely good of leaving the exact doors without cameras seems unlikely, possible I guess.

2. Intentionally went into the river.

3. Was sober minded but close the river for some other reason and slipped in, but again, why be so close in winter and potentially swim trunks? Or not meeting your daughter like intended?

Even though it’s not main drag, the area is very very busy during this time of year. The chances of not being seen on camera or by a person is basically 0 and makes the whole thing extra odd.

I haven’t paid close attention to this until now but strongly feel a full sweep of the hotel and resort area are necessary, rooms included.

Thank you. Good info.

Someone had mentioned that perhaps he stumbled into construction/concrete within the building...?

He traveled there to spend time with his daughters -- should be a happy time. I'd think it was odd if he chose that moment to deliberately go into the river. Right?

Interesting that no one has info on his work situation. Wonder if someone with a grievance followed him to the resort?

He is barely on social media, which is so unusual these days. Would be great to know more about him.

 

[Parsnip]

Outdoors is heavily Littered with construction.

Rsbm
If he is not in the water, maybe he had a mishap related to the construction? It seems like if he were still within the building and had died, there would be an odor by now. However, if he is outside, the cold weather would delay decomposition. Moo.

 

[TMich6811]

I’ll be driving through today, I’ll grab some photos

 

[TMich6811]

Welcome @TMich6811! We really, really appreciate local opinions here! Thank you for your perspective.

Thanks! Been a member since June, a watcher for longer. Don’t often have much to contribute but thought I could be helpful here

 

[TMich6811]

Thank you. Good info.

Someone had mentioned that perhaps he stumbled into construction/concrete within the building...?

He traveled there to spend time with his daughters -- should be a happy time. I'd think it was odd if he chose that moment to deliberately go into the river. Right?

Interesting that no one has info on his work situation. Wonder if someone with a grievance followed him to the resort?

He is barely on social media, which is so unusual these days. Would be great to know more about him.

The construction area IN the building is supposed to be fully locked down when they are gone for the day - I can attest that at one point it was blocked off fairly well.

I believe he is from Byron which if accurate is about a half hour away? Possible someone followed but I feel like that area would have had easier access and potentially less visual risk

 

[TMich6811]

Rsbm
If he is not in the water, maybe he had a mishap related to the construction? It seems like if he were still within the building and had died, there would be an odor by now. However, if he is outside, the cold weather would delay decomposition. Moo.

They have reportedly looked here - but an accident and then into the water could be a possible scenario IMO.

Admittedly I’m questioning the moving of the car situation. This resort was likely at capacity (it is now anyway) or close. There would be very few places to move a car that would be better parking unless you happened to catch a spot or initially parked very far away/wrong location.

Imo we are still missing a piece of the puzzle

 

[Rational_Geographic]

They have reportedly looked here - but an accident and then into the water could be a possible scenario IMO.

Admittedly I’m questioning the moving of the car situation. This resort was likely at capacity (it is now anyway) or close. There would be very few places to move a car that would be better parking unless you happened to catch a spot or initially parked very far away/wrong location.

Imo we are still missing a piece of the puzzle

Yeah something's not adding up I agree.

 

[TMich6811]

They are definitely searching the water behind the resort, I’ll post the other photos for area reference when I get a minute to explain them. I’m surprised at how little of a police presence there is here - this is it.

 

[TMich6811]

I’m going to separate these by area. Please let me know if there’s any clarification needed, I’m a newb

This first set will be the back of the resort where the construction is and the new water park portion is being built.

Photo 5 - in this photo the river would be to the right. This is the side where the park is, I am posting the park photos next.

Photos 6 and 7 are the lot directly across from the construction where they are keeping the vehicles and materials

 

[TMich6811]

This is the park next to the resort, it fully lines the river and is a dead end

 

[TMich6811]

Back entrance area and parking lot (note there is no parking available)