Summary based on the NamUs case record (can2008007999) and
1 other sourceOn a late summer day, September 19, 1980, a then 32-year-old man named Charles Leslie Lewis went out on Gullrock Lake for a fishing trip with a friend. The lake, situated about 10 kilometers south of Red Lake in Ontario's Kenora District, was a familiar and likely peaceful setting for the two men. Charles, a Caucasian male standing at 70 inches tall and weighing around 181 pounds with a medium build and a beard, was dressed for the outdoors.
He wore a brown and green camouflage rain suit with a brown or orange canvas hunting jacket that had 'ONG' shoulder patches, and Levi's pants. The day, however, took a sudden and tragic turn, forever altering the lives of those involved and leaving a lasting sense of uncertainty.
As Charles and his friend were enjoying their time on the water, the weather began to shift dramatically. Strong winds picked up, churning the surface of Gullrock Lake into large, treacherous waves. Their boat, unable to withstand the violent motion of the water, capsized, plunging both men into the cold lake. They managed to cling to the overturned boat, but the relentless waves repeatedly tore them away from their only point of safety. The struggle was immense and exhausting as they fought to hold on against the powerful forces of nature that had unexpectedly turned their fishing excursion into a desperate fight for survival.
In the chaos of the wind and waves, Charles was washed away from the boat. His friend watched in horror as Charles attempted to swim back to the relative safety of the overturned vessel. He struggled against the turbulent water, his head disappearing beneath the surface multiple times. In a final, heartbreaking moment, Charles Leslie Lewis went under the water and did not resurface. An extensive search was undoubtedly launched in the aftermath of the incident, but he was never found. The case remains a painful memory of a day that began with the simple pleasure of fishing and ended in a profound and unresolved loss, leaving his family and friends with unanswered questions and an enduring sense of grief for a man who vanished into the depths of the lake.Last Seen: Sep 19, 1980
