Mar 25, 2011
Dec 21, 2020
Gertrude
Melvin
99
80
60 inches
145 lbs
White / Caucasian
Female
In the quiet town of Colchester, New York, a devastating event unfolded that led to the disappearance of 80-year-old Gertrude M. Melvin. On June 20, 2007, Gertrude was visiting her daughter, Elaine Finkle, at her mobile home. A sudden and ferocious flash flood tragically swept the entire structure away. While her daughter was rescued from the surging waters, Gertrude could not be saved. The mobile home was ultimately torn apart by the flood, with debris discovered along Route 206. The harrowing incident occurred as rescue efforts were underway. Gertrude's daughter was able to be pulled to safety, but Gertrude herself was unable to grasp the rescue rope that was extended to her. The force of the floodwaters was simply too powerful, and she was swept away with the mobile home. Despite extensive search and rescue operations that followed the flood, Gertrude was never located. The search was met with the heartbreaking reality that the home she was last seen in had been completely disintegrated by the flood. Gertrude Melvin was a woman with gray hair and hazel eyes, and she wore glasses. At the time of her disappearance, it is believed she was wearing a wedding band and was carrying a purse that contained a Nokia Trac phone. She also had distinctive surgical scars on her abdomen. The case of Gertrude Melvin is a poignant reminder of the sheer force of nature and the lasting impact such events have on families and communities. While the circumstances of her disappearance are known, the inability to recover her has left a lingering sense of loss. Her case is a story of a visit that turned into a tragedy, and a family forever changed by a catastrophic natural disaster.
Jun 20, 2007
Colchester
New York
Delaware County
9833
New York State Police - Sidney
Sidney
New York
Delaware County
13838
State Road 7, Box 300, New York
6075612301
State
Law Enforcement
CMAR00622
New York State Police - Sidney
Gray or Partially Gray
Hazel
Hazel
09/05/2026
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