On a summer day in 2013, a 53-year-old man named Scott Bates French prepared for a day of sailing on the waters of Lake Ontario. Departing from Sodus Point, a village in Wayne County, New York, he informed his wife of his plans before heading out. This communication would be the last known contact anyone had with him. His outing on July 14, 2013, began like any other, but as the hours turned into an extended and unexplained absence, concern grew for the experienced sailor. At the time he went missing, Scott was described as a 6-foot-2-inch white male, weighing around 180 pounds, with blond or strawberry-blond hair cut in a short crew cut and brown eyes. He was believed to be wearing tan 'Dockers' khaki pants with suspenders, a white t-shirt, and grayish-brown 'New Balance' shoes, size 11, which contained orthotics.
The initial hope of a simple delay or a mechanical issue with his vessel gave way to a more alarming reality when his boat was discovered.
It was found across the lake in Point Petrei, Ontario, Canada, but Scott was not on board. The empty vessel adrift in Canadian waters escalated the situation into an international missing persons investigation, creating a complex and troubling mystery for both his family and law enforcement officials. The Brighton Police Department in Rochester, New York, took on the case, documenting the last known details of his journey and the discovery of his abandoned boat.
Years have passed since Scott Bates French vanished after what was supposed to be a routine sailing trip. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear, leaving his loved ones with unanswered questions. The discovery of his unoccupied boat in another country suggests a number of possibilities, but without further evidence, the case has grown cold. An overview of the case reflects a man who set out for a day of recreation and was never heard from again. The investigation, led by the Brighton Police Department, remains open, holding onto the hope that new information might one day surface to explain what happened to Scott after he sailed away from Sodus Point.Last Seen: Jul 14, 2013
