19-Year-Old Found Dead in Maine Pond

A 19-year-old former college student from Maine who had been missing for two months was discovered deceased on Tuesday in a pond close to an apartment complex, authorities announced.

Chance Lauer was last spotted on January 19 at the Orchard Trail Apartments in Orono, as reported by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Details earlier revealed by police indicated that Lauer’s wallet was located in his apartment, and his phone was off when he vanished. Additionally, he reportedly did not own a vehicle.

Law enforcement officials found the body after receiving a tip from a community member. The recovery was aided by the Maine Surveillance Bureau, which confirmed the identity as Lauer.

Authorities haven’t disclosed the cause of death but mentioned that there’s “nothing suspicious about his death at this time.” An autopsy is pending.

Following the discovery, a family member shared on social media, “Lauer was rescued from a pond near his apartment in Orono yesterday afternoon. He went for a walk eight weeks ago and fell into the ice.”

The authorities had pinpointed the pond as a significant area of concern early on, as interviews suggested it was a location Lauer often visited, according to Robert Bowie, Director of the Downeast Emergency Medicine Institute (DEEMI). He commented that multiple drone imaging missions had been launched to survey the area, including the pond, and that additional missions were planned.

The police extended gratitude toward the Maine Warden Service, the University of Maine, and volunteers for their contributions to the search for Lauer. They also expressed heartfelt condolences to Lauer’s family and friends.

Lauer had attended the University of Maine from September 2024 to December 2025, although he was not registered at the time he went missing, as noted by the school.