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

[TMich6811]

Parking lot to the Main entrance, the main entrance and parking in that area

These were hard photos to get because it’s so busy

 

[TMich6811]

Front side and reference to river

 

[TMich6811]

Last post -

This is the bridge and closest way to the main road, the other pics are from the opposite side of the river

 

[Palisades]

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.

Family still searching for father who disappeared from Bavarian Inn Lodge

A family is looking for answers after their father disappeared during a trip to Frankenmuth on Friday.

www.wnem.com

“I was told he was wearing a jacket that has a hoodie that’s like a plaid gray, black, white jacket, with the white fur on the inside, a blue ball cap—dark blue—blue jeans, and he was wearing his Nike slides,” McLenna said.

Also from the above article
"“He does like nature. He likes to walk around and check things out, especially at riverbanks. That’s just his personality. I wouldn’t put it past him to come outside to smoke a cigarette and walk along that river,”"

The article also says the Bavarian Lodge has no comment. Really?! No response whatsoever to a family's search for a person missing from their property?

 

[acutename]

Last post -

This is the bridge and closest way to the main road, the other pics are from the opposite side of the river

they are saying it was 6:40

Family still searching for father who disappeared from Bavarian Inn Lodge

A family is looking for answers after their father disappeared during a trip to Frankenmuth on Friday.

www.wnem.com

... so dark and icy... could he have slipped and slid through the river ice?

 

[TMich6811]

Family still searching for father who disappeared from Bavarian Inn Lodge

A family is looking for answers after their father disappeared during a trip to Frankenmuth on Friday.

www.wnem.com

“I was told he was wearing a jacket that has a hoodie that’s like a plaid gray, black, white jacket, with the white fur on the inside, a blue ball cap—dark blue—blue jeans, and he was wearing his Nike slides,” McLenna said.

Also from the above article
"“He does like nature. He likes to walk around and check things out, especially at riverbanks. That’s just his personality. I wouldn’t put it past him to come outside to smoke a cigarette and walk along that river,”"

The article also says the Bavarian Lodge has no comment. Really?! No response whatsoever to a family's search for a person missing from their property?

The employees can’t figure out why they haven’t issued a statement either, that’s been a convo ongoing in social media.

they are saying it was 6:40

Family still searching for father who disappeared from Bavarian Inn Lodge

A family is looking for answers after their father disappeared during a trip to Frankenmuth on Friday.

www.wnem.com

... so dark and icy... could he have slipped and slid through the river ice?

if he were truly that close yes. And based on Palisades post above quoting the news article I could see a scenario of - went to move car, car not realistically moved but smoking a cig and walking around. But - no camera captured him going outside or ever going to his car (from same article). The only video has him going to the fun center. That’s where I get stuck, it’s definitely possible that in a fluke he caught the door without the camera and then scenario played out.

 

[TMich6811]

The employees can’t figure out why they haven’t issued a statement either, that’s been a convo ongoing in social media.

if he were truly that close yes. And based on Palisades post above quoting the news article I could see a scenario of - went to move car, car not realistically moved but smoking a cig and walking around. But - no camera captured him going outside or ever going to his car (from same article). The only video has him going to the fun center. That’s where I get stuck, it’s definitely possible that in a fluke he caught the door without the camera and then scenario played out.

Also - sorry, to keep posting - if he were in slides it would make it more likely to slip imo, but also weirder that he walked out that far but maybe from one of the higher locations took a tumble. I can’t remember if we had snow or not the 27

 

[Parsnip]

Also - sorry, to keep posting - if he were in slides it would make it more likely to slip imo, but also weirder that he walked out that far but maybe from one of the higher locations took a tumble. I can’t remember if we had snow or not the 27

Maybe he tried to take a photo, juggling cig, keys, etc., dropped phone in water and tried to grab it quick. His phone has been off since the night he went missing. Ime, water will do that, and quick.

 

[musicaljoke]

Maybe he tried to take a photo, juggling cig, keys, etc., dropped phone in water and tried to grab it quick. His phone has been off since the night he went missing. Ime, water will do that, and quick.

But surely he would call out for help. Is the river deep enough that one would get carried away, or can a person touch the bottom if they fell in along the bank?

 

[acutename]

But surely he would call out for help. Is the river deep enough that one would get carried away, or can a person touch the bottom if they fell in along the bank?

you can slip on black ice really quickly- maybe hit your head? And then the shock of the cold water could be deathly- not sure if anyone would hear, and ice makes cracking noises frequently so might not sound like much IMO.

 

[Warwick1991]

The hotel has a recently constructed indoor water park. For all that water, there has to be a large drainage system. I have read of accidents where people were sucked into the drainage system of large pools. Besides the river, one of the things I can think of is an accident involving a fall and being swept into a drain system, trapped against a grate.

Another possibility is that he was actually traveling with or meeting someone, and is in or was in a room with this unknown person - with foul play involved.

 

[GraceG]

He could well be clean and sober now, but he has a history of drug charge and court ordered treatment which means a possible addiction issue in the fairly recent past (heroin, cocaine, ectasy, meth were listed in the charges). When he was first reported missing I couldn't' find any records for him where he lived, so I traced him back using the white pages to previous addresses and found county records from those addresses that had his full legal name and his date of birth. I've left off the names of the judges, arresting officers,and probation officers for privacy but the charge information is here, and the full records can be viewed at: MiCOURT Case Search

Gennessee Co. District Court
Case ID 2022-22T01351-FY
Case Title STATE OF MICHIGAN V BACON
Filed Date 05/16/2022
Case Status CLOSED 10/11/23
D67 Central
BACON, ROBERT LOREN Party Type Defendant
Year of Birth 1972

CONT SUBS-USE (NARCOTIC/COCAINE/METHAMPHETAMINE/ECSTASY) (33374042A)
Original Charge
CONT SUBS-POSSESSION (NARCOTIC/COCAINE/HEROIN) LESS THAN 25 G (33374032A5)
Officer/Agency or Petitioner - MONTROSE TWP POLICE DEPARTMENT
Reduced Charge Level
MISDEMEANOR Attempted, Conspired, Solicited
Arraignment Date
05/19/2022
Disposition Date
06/29/2022
Disposition
DISPOSED ON GUILTY PLEA
Sentencing Date
08/24/2022 License Suspension Clearance Fee Due
Count 2
Offense Date 04/02/2022
Current Charge
DISORDERLY PERSON (750167)
Original Charge
POLICE OFFICER-ASSAULTING/RESISTING/OBSTRUCTING (75081D1)
Officer/Agency or Petitioner MONTROSE TWP POLICE DEPARTMENT
Reduced Charge Level
MISDEMEANOR Attempted, Conspired, Solicited
Arraignment Date 05/19/2022
Disposition Date 06/29/2022
Disposition DISPOSED ON GUILTY PLEA
Sentencing Date 08/24/2022
License Suspension Clearance Fee Due
Bonds (1) Bond Type
PERSONAL Bond Amount $6000
SENTENCE HEARING HELD
08/24/2022 - Count - 1
Probation Term
12 MONTH(S)
Incarceration Type
JAIL

PROBATION/REHABILITATION​

Rehabilitation OUTPATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAM

LICENSE/CCW INFORMATION License Suspended/Revoked (Note: CCW is the common term for having a permit to carry a concealed weapon)​

He had a traffic ticket and parking ticket, and this one for unlawful entry which was reduced to a misdomeaner of disorderly conduct.
Case ID 2019-19F01457-OM
Court Location D67 Central
CITY OF BURTON V BACON
Date Filed 10/08/2019
Case Status CLOSED 04/07/2022
BACON/ROBERT/LOREN
Party Type/Number
DEFENDANT - 1
Age 52 (1972)
Charges (1)
Offense Date 09/12/2019
Current Charge
DISORDERLY PERSON - BURTON (B144.08)
Original Charge
UNLAWFUL ENTRY (B149.02)
Reduced Charge Level
MISDEMEANOR Attempted, Conspired, Solicited

 

[Minners1989]

I am just updating with work information, since it seems to be missing. He is a Navy Veteran and works at the GM plant in Flint, which is about 30 minutes south of Frankenmuth. My understanding is that the plant shuts down for Christmas (I'm a local).

Family still searching for father who disappeared from Bavarian Inn Lodge

A family is looking for answers after their father disappeared during a trip to Frankenmuth on Friday.

www.wnem.com

 

[Minners1989]

Also - sorry, to keep posting - if he were in slides it would make it more likely to slip imo, but also weirder that he walked out that far but maybe from one of the higher locations took a tumble. I can’t remember if we had snow or not the 27

We had a white Christmas on Wednesday, but Thursday and Friday were in the mid-high 30s, and a lot of the show melted. I could easily believe that the area surrounding the river was soggy and muddy.

 

[TMich6811]

We had a white Christmas on Wednesday, but Thursday and Friday were in the mid-high 30s, and a lot of the show melted. I could easily believe that the area surrounding the river was soggy and muddy.

Definitely would have been muddy. That area by the river is always a muddy mess because of that slope

But surely he would call out for help. Is the river deep enough that one would get carried away, or can a person touch the bottom if they fell in along the bank?

with it being so cold it’s also possible his body immediately went into shock - my uncle drown in the cass river and that is what was believed to happen. It took them over a month to find him.

He could well be clean and sober now, but he has a history of drug charge and court ordered treatment which means a possible addiction issue in the fairly recent past (heroin, cocaine, ectasy, meth were listed in the charges). When he was first reported missing I couldn't' find any records for him where he lived, so I traced him back using the white pages to previous addresses and found county records from those addresses that had his full legal name and his date of birth. I've left off the names of the judges, arresting officers,and probation officers for privacy but the charge information is here, and the full records can be viewed at: MiCOURT Case Search

Gennessee Co. District Court
Case ID 2022-22T01351-FY
Case Title STATE OF MICHIGAN V BACON
Filed Date 05/16/2022
Case Status CLOSED 10/11/23
D67 Central
BACON, ROBERT LOREN Party Type Defendant
Year of Birth 1972

CONT SUBS-USE (NARCOTIC/COCAINE/METHAMPHETAMINE/ECSTASY) (33374042A)
Original Charge
CONT SUBS-POSSESSION (NARCOTIC/COCAINE/HEROIN) LESS THAN 25 G (33374032A5)
Officer/Agency or Petitioner - MONTROSE TWP POLICE DEPARTMENT
Reduced Charge Level
MISDEMEANOR Attempted, Conspired, Solicited
Arraignment Date
05/19/2022
Disposition Date
06/29/2022
Disposition
DISPOSED ON GUILTY PLEA
Sentencing Date
08/24/2022 License Suspension Clearance Fee Due
Count 2
Offense Date 04/02/2022
Current Charge
DISORDERLY PERSON (750167)
Original Charge
POLICE OFFICER-ASSAULTING/RESISTING/OBSTRUCTING (75081D1)
Officer/Agency or Petitioner MONTROSE TWP POLICE DEPARTMENT
Reduced Charge Level
MISDEMEANOR Attempted, Conspired, Solicited
Arraignment Date 05/19/2022
Disposition Date 06/29/2022
Disposition DISPOSED ON GUILTY PLEA
Sentencing Date 08/24/2022
License Suspension Clearance Fee Due
Bonds (1) Bond Type
PERSONAL Bond Amount $6000
SENTENCE HEARING HELD
08/24/2022 - Count - 1
Probation Term
12 MONTH(S)
Incarceration Type
JAIL

PROBATION/REHABILITATION​

Rehabilitation OUTPATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAM

LICENSE/CCW INFORMATION License Suspended/Revoked (Note: CCW is the common term for having a permit to carry a concealed weapon)​

He had a traffic ticket and parking ticket, and this one for unlawful entry which was reduced to a misdomeaner of disorderly conduct.
Case ID 2019-19F01457-OM
Court Location D67 Central
CITY OF BURTON V BACON
Date Filed 10/08/2019
Case Status CLOSED 04/07/2022
BACON/ROBERT/LOREN
Party Type/Number
DEFENDANT - 1
Age 52 (1972)
Charges (1)
Offense Date 09/12/2019
Current Charge
DISORDERLY PERSON - BURTON (B144.08)
Original Charge
UNLAWFUL ENTRY (B149.02)
Reduced Charge Level
MISDEMEANOR Attempted, Conspired, Solicited

Not that distant history

 

[browneyes]

Did he go to the fun zone before or after he went to his room? If they have video, it should show his attire.

 

[Joe Friday]

Did he go to the fun zone before or after he went to his room? If they have video, it should show his attire.

Apparently he went to the room, then went to the fun zone (pool), was going to go to the car to get something and return to the fun zone to meet his daughter/family.

From article linked in post #2 upthread:

“He came about 6:40 p.m., went to the hotel room to change out of his shoes and slides, was going to meet our daughter down at the pool area. Said he had to move his car because he was on the further entrance from where their room was. From there, they have video showing him going to the fun center after leaving the hotel room, never coming back to his car. They don’t have any video showing he exited the building. However, there are exits without cameras,” McLenna said.

From article linked in post #1 upthread:

“(He) was going to his car to get something and was coming back to the pool area to join his family. He never returned to his family at the pool,” McLenna said, adding that his car is still in the parking lot of the Bavarian Inn and “(his) cell phone is going straight to voice mail.”

 

[Joe Friday]

If he had a drug problem he may have been going to the car for that purpose. If he was doing Meth, people some times do some really strange things.

I wonder if LE searched his car or belonging in the room and what may have been found there.

JMO

 

[Parsnip]

If he had a drug problem he may have been going to the car for that purpose.

Good point. Certainly, he would try to go somewhere out of view while in such a family-oriented and crowded location.

 

[sunspun]

Apparently he went to the room, then went to the fun zone (pool), was going to go to the car to get something and return to the fun zone to meet his daughter/family.

From article linked in post #2 upthread:

“He came about 6:40 p.m., went to the hotel room to change out of his shoes and slides, was going to meet our daughter down at the pool area. Said he had to move his car because he was on the further entrance from where their room was. From there, they have video showing him going to the fun center after leaving the hotel room, never coming back to his car. They don’t have any video showing he exited the building. However, there are exits without cameras,” McLenna said.

From article linked in post #1 upthread:

“(He) was going to his car to get something and was coming back to the pool area to join his family. He never returned to his family at the pool,” McLenna said, adding that his car is still in the parking lot of the Bavarian Inn and “(his) cell phone is going straight to voice mail.”

Regarding the parts you bolded above: I'm confused by those statements. They almost sound like they contradict each other.

So the whole family first go to the Fun Center, AKA indoor pool together? Dad leaves the others there to go to his room to change and also said he would move car to a closer spot while he did this? Then he did go to the room and change (video of this?) but never made it back to the pool? Then when they went to look for him, they saw the car had not been moved, but did not see Dad then or since? I don't know if I have all that correct.

Those statements sound like he left them at the pool, went to change in the room, returned to the pool, but then left again (to move the car?) and never returned.

I guess I'm unclear if he went to the pool with everyone else first, and if they saw him after he returned from the room where he changed clothes. Also, was there exactly one guest entrance/exit door not covered by cameras? If so, was this door likely or unlikely to be the one he would have chosen to exit through, based on its proximity to his car and/or to the pool? And how many rooms did they have? Was he staying in a room by himself or with the others? I wonder if any drug paraphernalia would be found in any of the bags he brought.