Sept. 17 marked the sixth month since Melissa Benson, a 37-year-old Native American woman, was announced missing by her family to the Lac du Flambeau police. Reports suggest that Benson’s family had not seen her since March 17 when they reported her missing on March 23.
Tribal police believe that she was last seen on Indian Village Road in town and later discovered she had accepted a ride in a van with three other individuals. Later, the police released a statement directed at Benson, stating, “Melissa, you are not in trouble.” Since that point, the police have deduced that the driver, who was later identified by police but not released publicly, was driving down county highway the day she disappeared. They have since started searching the highway south of the Kiboniki Lake boat landing. Benson is a Native American female, 5’7”, with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes. She has numerous tattoos, including on her neck, arms and legs. She was last seen wearing red sweatpants, a black sleeveless shirt and a gray sweatshirt. A reward of $25,000 has been issued for information for Benson’s return, and arrest or prosecution of the individuals responsible for her disappearance. If you have any information, please call Lac du Flambeau Tribal P.D. at 715-588-7717 or Vilas County Sheriff’s Office at 715-479-4441.