On a crisp autumn day in Johnson City, New York, 37-year-old Chester LaBar, a father of four known to his friends and family as 'Chet,' was last seen on October 2, 2016. His last known location was the NYPENN Trade Center on Main Street. When his family was unable to get in touch with him, they went to his home, where they made a disquieting discovery: the house was empty, but a single candle had been left burning in his bedroom. At the time of his disappearance, LaBar was described as a white male, standing at approximately 5'7' to 5'9' and weighing between 135 and 150 pounds. He had brown hair that may have been shaved, brown eyes, and possibly a goatee. He was last seen wearing a maroon hooded sweater and sneakers and may have been carrying a black backpack.
His appearance was distinguished by numerous tattoos, including the name 'Chester' on the right side of his neck, the names of his children—Ivy, Bradley, Cassidy, and Mariah—and skulls on his right wrist. The name 'LaBar' was tattooed across his back and shoulders, and he had scars on his wrists that were covered with tattoos.
The days following Chester LaBar's disappearance turned into weeks, then months, and now years of uncertainty and anguish for his loved ones. The Johnson City Police Department has been investigating his case, but despite their efforts, few answers have emerged. LaBar's family has expressed that he struggled with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and may have had a drug problem. In the years since he was last seen, his family has made heartfelt public pleas for any information that might lead to his whereabouts. The pain of his absence was particularly acute for his father, who, in the later stages of a terminal illness, expressed a dying wish to see his son one last time. The investigation has been hampered by a lack of significant leads, and though authorities have pursued any information they have received, the case has grown cold. There was also a mention that he might have been driving a gray 1993 Dodge Caravan with New York license plate number HDJ-4338.
The official status of Chester LaBar's case remains that of a missing person, a lingering and unresolved tragedy for his family and community. However, the narrative of his disappearance is complicated by an unconfirmed online obituary which states that he 'tragically lost his life at the hands of another.' This information has not been verified by law enforcement or any official news sources, and a comment on the obituary itself, dated more than nine years after he was last seen, asserted that he was still considered missing. This conflict of information adds another layer of complexity and pain to an already heartbreaking situation. The investigation into Chester LaBar's disappearance has been a long and frustrating one, marked by the deep sorrow of a family waiting for answers and the persistent, though so far unfruitful, efforts of law enforcement. The case is a somber reminder of the enduring hope and the profound uncertainty that surrounds the search for a missing loved one.Last Seen: Oct 2, 2016
