Found Deceased VT - Lee Wiktorski, 61, ice fisherman, Lake Champlain, Orwell, Addison County, 11 Feb 2019

[cybervampira]

Crews search for missing ice fisherman on Lake Champlain

The Vermont State Police are searching for a missing ice fisherman who didn't return from an outing on Lake Champlain.

Police say a concerned relative reported late Monday that 61-year-old Lee Wiktorski, of Benson, hadn't returned from his fishing trip on the lake near Orwell. An overnight search included multiple first responders on the ice and support from a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew.

Crews discovered personal belongings of Wiktorski's on the ice, but no sign of him or his vehicle, a silver 2001 Dodge Dakota truck with Vermont registration 255A225.

Search efforts expanded Tuesday to include a dive team and airboats, along with an aircraft from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

 

[cybervampira]

Vermont State Police

Search efforts are ongoing this afternoon for 61-year-old Lee Wiktorski, who was last reported to be ice fishing on Lake Champlain near Orwell on Monday. Anyone with information, please call Vermont State Police in New Haven at 802-388-4919.

VSP Press Releases: UPDATE: Search continues for missing ice fisherman on Lake Champlain

 

[doodles1211]

I cannot believe that they have any open water with how cold it has been. Why would his items still be on the ice? If he was going to leave wouldn't he have stored the items in the truck then left?

 

[Spider92]

I cannot believe that they have any open water with how cold it has been. Why would his items still be on the ice? If he was going to leave wouldn't he have stored the items in the truck then left?

I wonder how thick the ice is on the lake? I think I've read that ice should be two feet thick to support a car. I have a friend who did some ski mobiling last week in Maine and he said the weight of the sleds was cracking the ice and exposing water in some sections. We've had some cold here in the Boston area but last Tuesday was 65 degrees so we've had some melting too. If his truck went through the ice, one would think that they would see a large opening. Hopefully he just jumped in his truck and took off for a couple of days but this sounds worrisome.

 

[zencompass]

I cannot believe that they have any open water with how cold it has been. Why would his items still be on the ice? If he was going to leave wouldn't he have stored the items in the truck then left?

Dear Doodles1211,

I can't understand either why his items were not in his truck.

The only reason I can think of is that he left everything there to drive in his truck to pick up something else he needed. A coffee? But then that doesn't make much sense either.

I know this sounds like an odd question - but would his truck have a gps built in to somehow track it?

My heart is with Mr. Wiktorski's family during this unfathomable time.

 

[doodles1211]

Dear Doodles1211,

I can't understand either why his items were not in his truck.

The only reason I can think of is that he left everything there to drive in his truck to pick up something else he needed. A coffee? But then that doesn't make much sense either.

I know this sounds like an odd question - but would his truck have a gps built in to somehow track it?

My heart is with Mr. Wiktorski's family during this unfathomable time.

Possibly gps... but it is a 2001, so it would probably have to be an after-market purchase. I don't think OnStar and those came into service back then. So, doubtful. I was thinking he was just leaving for a few minutes, also. Maybe, for bait or something. But, when I used to ice fish we didn't use much bait at all. But, that was a different state. Different water.
What about looking for his phone ping?

 

[Steelslady]

They found his pick up, but not Lee :

UPDATED: Police searching for missing ice fisherman on Lake Champlain, find his pickup

Searchers located personal items that belong to Wiktorski on the ice near Singing Cedars Landing in Vermont on Monday, and located his Dodge pickup truck submerged in 22 feet of water on Tuesday. Wiktorski was not with the truck, and dive efforts were hindered by currents and poor visibility. Additional searching was planned for Wednesday.

 

[doodles1211]

Oh no!

 

[Tripod]

They found his pick up, but not Lee :

UPDATED: Police searching for missing ice fisherman on Lake Champlain, find his pickup

Searchers located personal items that belong to Wiktorski on the ice near Singing Cedars Landing in Vermont on Monday, and located his Dodge pickup truck submerged in 22 feet of water on Tuesday. Wiktorski was not with the truck, and dive efforts were hindered by currents and poor visibility. Additional searching was planned for Wednesday.

Oh no Following for updates.

 

[zencompass]

This is deeply saddening to hear. My heart goes out to Mr. Wiktorski's family.

 

[GraceG]

Praying for his family - that is just tragic.

 

[Steelslady]

Nothing new, but more on Vermont police continuing the search for Lee today:

Search resumes for missing ice fisherman on Lake Champlain after pickup found in water

 

[cybervampira]

Divers searching for fisherman recover body in Lake Champlain

Wednesday, Vermont State Police said divers found a body in the lake matching Wiktorski's description. It was sent to the medical examiner's office in Burlington to confirm the identity and determine the cause of death.

 

[The Farm]

Ugh sad.

 

[Steelslady]

Divers searching for fisherman recover body in Lake Champlain

View attachment 169055

Heartbreaking. May he rest in peace.

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

so sad for those who live on, those who loved him... doing something he loved, no doubt... =(

 

[Spider92]

Dang it.