Melissa Beson, the 5'7", medium build, brown hair, brown-eyed Native American woman who has been missing since March 17, 2025, is still the focus of an extensive search.
According to the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department, "As the days have turned into weeks, the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department has searched relentlessly in the area in which Melissa was last seen, as well as other areas of interest. LDFPD Officers and assisting agencies have conducted grid searches on foot, have deployed high-tech drones and airplanes, and have searched using specially trained canines.
"Many of the search areas are characterized by extremely treacherous terrain. Today, [Thursday, April 24, 2025], the tribe’s Emergency Management Director nearly lost her life during a search of a floating bog area. Only her training and experience in search and rescue prevented a tragedy. Because of the challenges and danger involved in searching on foot, LDFPD has not requested assistance from volunteers, so officers continue to come in on their days off to comb the search areas. To date, over 1,300 acres have been carefully searched."
While this dedicated search effort continues in the area where Melissa was last seen, police and Melissa's family hope she is safe somewhere. Numerous people have reported seeing Melissa in other areas. LDFPD officers have traveled to those jurisdictions to follow up on leads, but all of the reports have been investigated and found to be cases of mistaken identity or cruel hoaxes. The LDFPD has been assisted by other law enforcement agencies, including the Wausau Police Department.
Some have suggested that Melissa is afraid to come back to Lac du Flambeau, for fear she may be in trouble, and is not coming forward for that reason. In case that scenario is accurate, the LDFPD extended the following message to Melissa, “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 was last seen in the vicinity of Indian Village Road and Chequamegon Forest Trail in Lac du Flambeau. At the time, she was wearing red sweatpants, a black sleeveless shirt, and a gray sweatshirt. She has numerous tattoos, including on her neck, arms, and legs. Anyone with information about Melissa or her possible whereabouts is asked to call the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department at 715-588-7717 or the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office at 715-479-4441.