SOLVED Cold Case AFTER 16-YEARS (Donnie Messier)

We found Donnie Messier’s Red 1997 Ford F-150 pickup truck submerged and buried in the Winooski River near Waterbury, VT.

Coming into this case with a fresh set of eyes and new information from local volunteer and Norwich University Graduate Northfield, VT and NSW Candidate Mentor William McIntosh - AWP team members Nick Rinn and guest “Down Under” Dan Prichard revisit Donnie Messier’s 16 year old case after a 2021 search effort made by AWP founder Jared Leisek and team lead Doug Bishop.

TRYING TO FIND PART 2 or PART 3?

This video series documents AWP’s detailed search efforts over the course of 3 days using advanced sonar technology to scan and identify targets of interest related to Donnie Messier’s vehicle.

As with all searches, this episode brings emphasis to AWP’s 5-Mile Search Strategy:

- Where were they last seen?
- Where did they live?
- Where did they work?

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Adventures With Purpose (AWP) is an Underwater Search & Recovery Dive Team dedicated to helping families of missing loved ones for FREE, and with your support, as of the release of this documentary, 26 Missing Person Cold Cases Have Been Solved Since 2019.

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CASE NOTES
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Donnie Messier
Missing Since: October 5th, 2006
Missing From: Waitsfield, Vermont
Sex: Male Height: Unknown Weight: Unknown
Race: White
Age: 34 years old

Case Description:

Messier was last seen at a party in Waitsfield, Vermont at 2:00 a.m. on October 15, 2006. He left the gathering driving his red 1997 Ford F-150 dual cab pickup truck and has never been heard from again.

The vehicle has the Vermont license plate number BGG890, a dual exhaust, a moon visor, a black tonneau cover, and the NASCAR numbers 27, 07 and 08 displayed in the rear window. A photograph of it is posted with this case summary. Since his disappearance, Messier's bank accounts, credit cards and cellular phone have been inactive.

Messier was reported missing on October 18, three days after he was last seen, after he missed two days of work at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters without calling in. His family described him as a hard worker and a "homeboy" who rarely traveled anywhere. The only out-of-state trip he had ever taken was in the fifth grade, when his father's work briefly took the family to Florida.

In October 2022, the diving group Adventures with Purpose found Messier's pickup in the Wisnooski River in Duxbury, Vermont. Investigators are going to try to retrieve it and see if his remains are inside.

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#truecrime #missingperson #coldcase
Cold Case, Missing Person, True Crime

[mary]

When he came up out of that cold water and said "I think we just found Donnie" I was so overwhelmed. Unreal. Thank

[JohnMac]

If Jarod didn’t ask one last time if they were 50/50 or unsure and if Nick didn’t speak up and say he was still unsure this case would remain unsolved forever. Love seeing Jarod and Nick backing each other up! Nick is such a great addition to AWP!

[exploringwithamission]

It’s my honour to be part of this team thanks for having me 🤿🇦🇺💙

[ladykathrynperry]

This was a perfect episode demonstrating that each team member can participate and contribute to such a profound rescue team. Thank you everyone!

[saralindwall]

My father-in-law was found in a lake 3 months after he went missing. Can't think of how my husband would feel today had the father not been found. Your work means so much to so many people.

[amandaanscombe]

Omg, when Carson came out of the water, breathing and then just quietly said 'I think we just found sent a shiver through me. Carson you are an asset to the team. Nick, Doug, Jared, Josh, Carson and everyone on the in diving gear all of you & what you do for families is just incredible. Stay safe on your journeys all of you ❤️

[karencolclasure]

The look on Carson's face told it all. I immediately teared up even watching the whole event unfold. Good job guys.

[hammyk]

I love how thorough Nick is. He is a great asset to the team.

[avalancesanvers]

Just the way he said "I think we found Donnie" gave me shivers down my spine.

You guys do unbelievable recoveries of missing person. Job well done. Can't wait to watch part 2 and part 3.

[shadygirlxoxo]

I don’t know why I keep watching these, I always cry during the beginning when they show the faces of the folks they’ve recovered.
And for the people that talk bad about them, they probably don’t know what it’s like to have a son or daughter, parent, sibling, or friend missing for years without any answers or closure. To the 26 families who got the answers they longed for, some for decades, AWP is such an answer to prayer!

[homeshows]

Thank you to Jared for being such a great inspiration, mentor, teacher and letting others grow and learn in front of the camera and behind. To see all the AWP members evolve and develop so many skills and to see how AWP has become such a valuable tool finding missing loved ones speaks to the vision and guidance Jared has provided.

[suzmac]

I love how you encourage and mentor young people to participate in something so important.

[melissaford]

AWP has definitely grown throughout the years in a positive way. Jared has a true passion for helping families and this is evident in what positive things are happening! Bringing on new team members who have already proven what valuable assets they are and having two trailers and RVs will double the families helped and bring more answers., I just love these guys and what an impact they’re making on the world!

[aliselynch]

I'm from a small town outside of Stowe. Thank you so much for coming here and solving this case, and bringing answers to the families here.

[kspen]

As soon as I saw the shape of a truck on the sonar I got chills. The fact that Nick and Carson had different views and Jared asked whether they should take another look, shows how they all work together as a team.
Going through all of that shallow water and then find the one hole where Donnie's truck rests is an amazing miracle. His family and friends now have some answers after 16 years.
I can't wait to see part two.
I also want to see how Jared and crew got out of that "pickle" in the last video.

[mimipuppylover]

Thank you Jared for bringing a movement to help bring so many loved ones home. It was key for Jared to continue to ask about what both Carson and Nick thought it was, Jared is so good at searching and to have someone dive on this was so important. Jared and team you all do great work and what an inspiration to so many Jared that you now have 2 teams and can hopefully bring home many more loved ones because of this !! Great work !!! Thank you for all you have done and continue to do !!

[Tam_Eiki]

kudos to Carson for not letting that one go and to dive despite the cold water. Great job to everyone who works so tirelessly to bring families the answers they need. Stay safe!

[stacybattilomo]

Seriously I have said this so many times already, but you guys are absolutely amazing and we are all so grateful for your help with all these There should never be any hate towards these men who help find family members that detectives and police where not able They are angels to many!!!❤❤

[danibear]

It’s so cool to see the team’s growth in this episode. Jared is a great leader and teacher. Carson did a great job scoping out the vehicle and I liked the way he phrases his answers in a way that he shows he knows he’s still learning. It’s a very wise approach. Nick’s knowledge and ability to take the lead on camera is clear. It’s was cool to see him to see him follow his gut on this one. Great example of teamwork. Also really liking the music selection from your editing team in this video. Kept me on the edge of my seat at just the right moments. Beautiful work all around. Thank you for all you do for the missing, their loved ones, and for us viewers. You guys have been my comfort watch the last couple months.

[obgfoster]

It's amazing how a vague image that is guessed to be over 30 years old could be submerged half that time. It just shows how variable conditions can be and how unique each situation is. Something to learn with each discovery.