LAC DU FLAMBEAU – On September 19, 2022, the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department responded to a report of a missing person. Harvey La Belle, age 84, had last been seen at approximately 8:00 p.m. Sept. 18. Upon receipt of the missing person report, the Tribal Police Department immediately initiated its search protocol. Officers attempted to locate the missing Elder, who reportedly suffered from dementia. A request for assistance was issued, and area first responders arrived to provide aid.

The Newbold Fire Department Search and Rescue responded with a number of highly trained search and rescue dogs, and the Tribal Roads Department assisted with barricading and support.  

At approximately 5:15 p.m., a Newbold Search and Rescue canine alerted near the shore of Long Interlaken Lake in Lac du Flambeau. A search of the immediate area was conducted and the body of an adult male was discovered in the shallow waters of the lake. Officers and family members were able to positively identify the deceased as Harvey La Belle. The Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and removed the body. At the time of this press release cause of death is unknown, but foul play is not suspected.

Newbold Fire Department Search and Rescue, Vilas County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center, Lac du Flambeau EMS and Fire Department, Lac du Flambeau Emergency Management, Lac du Flambeau Tribal Roads, Judge Gary Smith, William Wildcat, Sr. and many community members assisted the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department with search efforts.

Public’s help sought to locate missing man

The Vilas County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a Lac du Flambeau man, missing since Sept. 18.

Harvey La Belle, 64, was last seen wearing a black and dark green flannel shirt and blue jeans. He is 5-feet, 10-inches tall, 165 pounds with brown eyes and white hair.

Mr. La Belle, who has dementia, resides alone in Lac du Flambeau. He was last seen between 6-7 p.m. Family noticed he was missing approximately 11 a.m. Sept. 19, and looked in locations he is known to frequent but could not locate him.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 715-479-4441 or 911 if Mr. La Belle is in sight.