Mark Alan Bondeson, a 36-year-old carpenter and owner of a woodworking business, was last seen on November 17, 1995, on Priest Lake in Bonner County, Idaho. Originally from Bismarck, North Dakota, he had moved to Priest River, Idaho, in 1985 after living in Alaska for a time. On the day of his disappearance, Bondeson was in his disabled fishing boat, which was being towed by two friends. He was last observed in the back of the towed boat near Papoose Island.
The circumstances surrounding his disappearance have led investigators to believe he likely drowned, though his body has never been recovered.
At the time he went missing, Mark Bondeson was described as a white male, standing at 5'6" and weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing Levi's jeans, a bright red jacket, a black baseball cap, and brown tennis shoes. It is also noted that he wore prescription eyeglasses. The official classification of his case is considered "Lost/Injured Missing," reflecting the prevailing theory of an accidental drowning in the deep, cold waters of Priest Lake.
Following his disappearance, friends and volunteers conducted searches along the shorelines of Priest Lake. For two days, official searchers utilized a fish-finder in an attempt to locate him, but these efforts were unsuccessful. The challenging conditions of a deep and cold lake like Priest Lake are known to sometimes prevent the recovery of drowning victims. A memorial service was held for Bondeson, which was attended by some of the volunteers who had participated in the search efforts. His case remains an open and unresolved loss for his loved ones and the community.Last Seen: Nov 17, 1995
