Missing
Russell D. Burnett
Burnett, approximately 2017; Tattoo on Burnett's arm; Burnett's dog, Bevi
Date and time person was reported missing : 02/21/2017
Missing location (approx) :
Franklin, Maine
Missing classification : Endangered Missing
Gender : Male
Ethnicity :
White
DOB : 02/28/1970 (51)
Age at the time of disappearance: 46 years old
Height / Weight : 5'7, 155 pounds
Description, clothing, jewerly and more : A maroon sweatshirt, a green or gray Carhartt jacket, blue jeans, brown steel-toed work boots and a gray baseball cap.
Medical conditions : Burnett has a history of substance abuse, but he was sober at the time of his disappearance. He may be suffering from mental illness and may be in need of medical attention.
Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos
: Caucasian male. Blond hair, hazel eyes. Burnett's head was shaved at the time of his disappearance. He has multiple tattoos on both arms and a tattoo of the phrase "If found return to Hog Bay" on his calf. A photo of one of his arm tattoos is posted with this case summary.
Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Burnett was last seen leaving a neighbor's residence on Eastbrook Road in Franklin, Maine on February 21, 2017. He and his dog, Bevi, had spent the previous night on the neighbor's couch. He was last seen at approximately 7:00 a.m., when he left to go home. The neighbor saw him walking with Bevi through the woods in the direction of his house, which was half a mile away. He has never been heard from again.
Burnett had a doctor's appointment scheduled that day and someone was supposed to pick him up at his house and take him there, but when his ride arrived, Burnett and Bevi were both missing. He had apparently arrived home, as his cellular phone, phone charger, Bible, and the jacket he'd worn earlier were all found at the house. A few days later he was reported missing.
An extensive search turned up of the area turned up no sign of Burnett or his dog. The winter weather hindered the search efforts, and Burnett had no bank account, making him difficult to track.
Two weeks later, how, Bevi appeared in the front yard of the neighbor Burnett had spent the night with the day he disappeared. It was in "excellent" condition: clean, well-fed and with no broken toenails. This indicates someone had been taking care of the dog and it hadn't been in the woods. Burnett was very close to his dog and took it with him everywhere he went.
Burnett was dealing with personal problems at the time of his disappearance: the anniversary of his oldest son's death was approaching, and both of his parents had cancer. He told one friend he was scared to be alone. That friend last saw him two days before Burnett's disappearance and said he was acting strangely, as if he was "not in his right mind."
His family believe there's a good chance he's no longer alive. His case remains unsolved.
Other information and links : ncy
Maine State Police
207-973-3700
September 2021 updates and sources
A missing person is a person who has disappeared and whose status as alive or dead cannot be confirmed as their location and condition are not known. A person may go missing through a voluntary disappearance, or else due to an accident, crime, death in a location where they cannot be found (such as at sea), or many other reasons. In most parts of the world, a missing person will usually be found quickly. While criminal abductions are some of the most widely reported missing person cases, these account for only 2�5% of missing children in Europe.
By contrast, some missing person cases remain unresolved for many years. Laws related to these cases are often complex since, in many jurisdictions, relatives and third parties may not deal with a person's assets until their death is considered proven by law and a formal death certificate issued. The situation, uncertainties, and lack of closure or a funeral resulting when a person goes missing may be extremely painful with long-lasting effects on family and friends.
Several organizations seek to connect, share best practices, and disseminate information and imAge at the time of disappearance: s of missing children to improve the effectiveness of missing children investigations, including the International Commission on Missing Persons, the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), as well as national organizations, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the US, Missing People in the UK, Child Focus in Belgium, and The Smile of the Child in Greece.
NBC News
The Bangor Daily News
News Center Maine
Interactive Missing Person Search Map
