LAC DU FLAMBEAU, Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities are continuing their dedicated and relentless search efforts for a missing and endangered woman from northern Wisconsin who was last seen in mid-March, and shared a message for her in a release sent out on Thursday.
Officers with the Lac du Flambeau Police Department say that search efforts for 37-year-old Melissa Beson have been ongoing since the report of her disappearance on March 17.
Relentless and even dangerous search efforts have been conducted in over 1,300 acres, spreading from the area in which Beson was last seen to other areas of interest.
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LDFPD officers described many of the search areas as having ‘extremely treacherous’ terrain. On Thursday, the Tribe’s Emergency Management Director nearly “lost her life” during a search of a floating bog area, officers say.
Because of the challenging terrain, volunteers have not been requested to assist.
Melissa J. Beson, 37
Melissa J. Beson, 37
Officers noted that during the investigation, it had been reportedly suggested that Beson was “hiding out” somewhere and afraid to come back to Lac du Flambeau.
Authorities and Melissa’s family members remain hopeful for her return, and the LDFPD shared the following message to Melissa in their release:
Melissa, please know that you are not in trouble. We are not going to arrest you or take you to jail. All anyone wants is for you to come home. Your family is frantic and the entire community is worried about you. There will be relief and much happiness upon your return. We all know that it was not your intent to cause such concern and worry. It exists because you are cared about, and your absence is felt by everyone. Please contact your family or our Department. If you need transportation, it will be provided. If you need money to assist you in coming home, that, too, will be provided. Just please reach out and let your community know that you are safe.
Melissa Beson was last seen in the vicinity of Indian Village Road and Chequamegon Forest Trail in Lac du Flambeau wearing red sweatpants, a black sleeveless shirt and a gray sweatshirt.
Officers say she is 5’7″ with brown hair and brown eyes, and has numerous tattoos, including on her neck, arms, and legs.
Anyone with relevant information on Beson’s whereabouts is asked to contact the LDFPD at (715) 588-7717 or the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office at (715) 479-4441.
