Police in Michigan have made a tragic discovery in the search for Robert Loren Bacon, who’s been missing since late December 2024. Bacon reportedly disappeared from a family gathering at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, on December 27. Loved ones reported him missing on December 30, and the search began. Sadly, days later, a dive team recovered his body in the Cass River near Heritage Park. It appears Bacon died by drowning.
As his family mourns the 52-year-old’s death, investigators are trying to determine what happened and how Bacon wound up in the water.
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Bacon apparently disappeared from the hotel.
His ex-wife, Melissa McLenna, told WNEM on January 1, 2025, that Bacon went to the Bavarian Inn Lodge on December 27 to meet their daughters, ages 15 and 13. Soon after he arrived, he seemed to vanish.
“He came about 6:40 p.m., went to the hotel room to change out of his shoes and slides, was going to meet our daughter down at the pool area. Said he had to move his car because he was on the further entrance from where their room was,” McLenna told the news station. “From there, they have video showing him going to the fun center after leaving the hotel room, never coming back to his car. They don’t have any video showing he exited the building. However, there are exits without cameras.”
Bacon's car reportedly never moved.
According to McLenna, on January 1, the day after the family reported him missing, Bacon’s car was still parked in the hotel parking lot, and nothing seemed awry. He had his wallet, keys, and phone with him, but his cellphone had reportedly shut off. His ex told the news station it wasn’t unlike Bacon to take time outdoors.
“He does like nature. He likes to walk around and check things out, especially at riverbanks. That’s just his personality. I wouldn’t put it past him to come outside to smoke a cigarette and walk along that river,” McLenna said. “At this point, if there’s anybody between 7:20 p.m. and midnight that was walking around the river. You know, it was really busy. I’m hoping anybody can say, ‘Yeah, I seen him.'”
Police investigated for days.
The Frankenmuth Police Department posted about Bacon several times on its Facebook page and asked anyone with information to come forward. On January 3, the department shared that it had not yet found Bacon: “No Activity on Financial Accounts. No Confirmed Sightings. Tips submitted have not panned out as of this date.”
The following day, police confirmed that divers found Bacon’s body in the Cass River.
The news has devastated Bacon's loved ones.
McLenna shared on Facebook, “I have no words to describe how we feel we are so sad I just want to say thank you to everyone that helped look for Robert thank you to all that prayed for us and that are continuing to pray for us.”
A friend wrote, “So sorry to hear the outcome Melissa. My heart goes out to you and the girls. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers.”
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It appears Bacon drowned.
Police noted that a preliminary investigation pointed to drowning as the cause of death, but an official determination will be made by the Saginaw County medical examiner’s office. “The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Bacon’s death is ongoing,” police shared on Facebook.
