In the spring of 2015, a 31-year-old mother named Leah Irene Harding vanished from the Copper Country region of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. She was last seen on April 30, 2015, at a BP gas station in Baraga, Michigan. Harding, who resided in South Range but had deep roots in the Nisula and L'Anse areas, had no further contact with her family or friends after that day. Her disappearance went unreported for approximately two weeks, until she failed to attend a school event for her young daughter. This uncharacteristic absence raised immediate alarms among her loved ones, prompting her mother to report her missing and setting in motion an investigation that would stretch on for years.
The last person known to have seen Leah was her boyfriend, Camiel Van Haecke. He told investigators that he and Leah had been arguing, and he dropped her off at her mother's home. However, Leah's mother has stated this was not true. Authorities identified Van Haecke as a person of interest in her disappearance, though no charges have been filed against him in connection with the case. Family members described the relationship as abusive and recalled that Leah had warned them to investigate her boyfriend if she ever went missing. Compounding their fears was Van Haecke's significant criminal history, which included convictions for kidnapping and assault. Shortly after Leah vanished, he was arrested and subsequently imprisoned for a series of unrelated break-ins.
The search for Leah Harding yielded few clues in the initial stages. Her cell phone was eventually discovered near the North Otter River, but the battery and SIM card had been removed. Her bank accounts remained untouched, and no credible sightings were ever confirmed. Over the years, hope has been painfully tested. In 2021, a tip led investigators to consider Emily Lake as a possible location for her remains, but the outcome of that search has not been publicly detailed. A year later, the discovery of human remains in Wisconsin briefly suggested a potential breakthrough, but forensic analysis confirmed they were not Leah's. The investigation has been marked by frustration from her family, who at one point protested what they felt was a lack of sufficient effort from law enforcement.
Despite the passage of time and the absence of answers, the case remains an open investigation with the Houghton County Sheriff's Office. Foul play is suspected in her disappearance. For her family, the years have been filled with anguish and a desperate search for closure. They firmly believe Leah was murdered. In a significant legal step, a court declared Leah Irene Harding presumed deceased on July 12, 2023. The declaration, while providing a legal finality, does little to heal the wounds of not knowing what happened. The overview of the case is a heart-wrenching story of a young mother who disappeared under suspicious circumstances, leaving behind a daughter and a family still waiting for justice and the chance to bring her home.
Last Seen: Apr 30, 2015
