Press Releases

Contact: Edie Smith, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

Media representatives can receive press releases via e-mail.

Telephone: work (207) 592-4348

Fax: (207) 287-6395

November 18, 2010

Maine Warden Service Searching for Missing Rockwood Man

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Warden Service is searching for a Rockwood man who was last seen Sunday working on a carpentry project on Sand Bar Way in Rockwood.

James Russell, 51, of Rockwood was to be picked up by a friend at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, but was not at the work site. Mr. Russell’s bicycle, which is his primary mode of transportation, was there, but a kayak and the backpack he carries with him were missing.

Mr Russell

James Russell, 51, of Rockwood

On Wednesday morning, the Maine Warden Service was notified, and a search was initiated along the shore in the Rockwood, Kineo and Farm Island area using MWS watercraft and a Maine Forest Service helicopter. It is suspected that Mr. Russell planned to kayak over to Kineo, which he did numerous times last summer. Mr. Russell’s friends checked the grounds and buildings of Kineo on Wednesday while Game Wardens concentrated on the water. MFS personnel flew along the shoreline and hiking trails of Kineo.

On Wednesday afternoon, a Rockwood resident on Black Point Road reported that he had found a green kayak and a backpack floating off Murray Road in Rockwood. Friends identified it as Mr. Russell’s backpack.

Very strong winds from the northwest direction and high waves on Moosehead Lake are hampering search efforts today. The MFS may attempt to fly its helicopter today.

The Maine Warden Service is asking anyone who may have seen or talked to Mr. Russell on Sunday or had seen kayaking activity Sunday afternoon in the Kineo area to please call the MWS’s Greenville headquarters at (207) 695-3756.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Press Releases