A 19-year-old former college student from Maine who went missing two months ago was discovered dead Tuesday in a pond near his apartment complex, according to authorities.
Chance Lauer was last seen on January 19 at the Orchard Trail Apartments in Orono, according to a news release issued by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife during the search.
Lauer’s wallet was discovered in his room at the time of his disappearance, and his phone was turned off, according to the Orono Police Department, who also stated that Lauer did not have a vehicle.
Police say they discovered a body in the pond after a citizen alerted the department on Tuesday. The body was retrieved with assistance from the Maine Warden Service and positively identified as Lauer.
Police added, “At this point, there is nothing suspicious about the death,” but did not specify how Lauer died. An autopsy was pending.
According to FOX22 Bangor, a family member of Lauer stated on social media Wednesday that “he was recovered from a pond near his Orono apartment yesterday afternoon.” “He went for a walk 8 weeks ago and fell through the ice.”
The pond has apparently been a focus point in the search for Lauer.
According to Robert Bowie, director of Downeast Emergency Medicine Institute (DEEMI), “The pond has been an area of interest since the beginning, as apartment employee interviews indicated that he would frequent it. ” “DEEMI has conducted many drone imaging missions over the search region, including the pond, using both infrared and high-definition digital images,” Bowie stated. “There have been at least three imaging missions of this area of interest, and more were planned.”
Police commended the Maine Warden Service, the University of Maine, and search volunteers for their assistance in locating Lauer. “The Orono Police Department and the Town of Orono wish to express our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Lauer’s family and friends,” police added.
The University of Maine confirmed to People that Lauer was enrolled there from September 2024 until December 2025.
The school told WMTW-TV that Lauer was not enrolled when he went missing.
