In the cold winter of 1973, the lives of the St. Germaine family were upended when a fire ravaged their home, forcing them to take up temporary residence at the Lake Edge Motel on State Route 9 in Peru, New York. It was from this motel that 12-year-old Linda Lee St. Germaine, a young girl with brown hair and blue eyes, vanished on the evening of February 13th. Linda was last seen by her family outside the motel, dressed for the cold in a blue or green hooded parka, brown corduroy pants, and brown suede boots. When she failed to come inside for dinner, her mother reported her missing to the New York State Police, sparking an investigation that has continued for decades.
The circumstances surrounding Linda's disappearance point to a possible tragic accident. Before she went missing, Linda had confided in her brother that she intended to run away. Her plan was to walk across the frozen expanse of Lake Champlain to Burlington, Vermont. Investigators discovered a set of footprints leading from the motel out onto the icy surface of the lake. The tracks continued towards Valcour Island, stopping abruptly in an area known for thin ice. This led to the prevailing theory that Linda may have fallen through the ice into the frigid waters below.
Despite extensive searches, no definitive trace of Linda has ever been found. In the immediate aftermath of her disappearance, searches of the lake did not reveal any signs of disturbed ice. Over the years, the New York State Police Underwater Recovery Team has returned to the lake multiple times, hoping to uncover any evidence related to her case, but their efforts have been unsuccessful. Linda had a distinctive birthmark that ran from the center of her chin down to her throat.
The official classification of her case is 'Lost/Injured Missing,' reflecting the belief that she likely perished in an accident. Her body has never been recovered, leaving her family without closure. The Lake Edge Motel, the last place Linda was seen, is no longer in operation. The investigation into Linda Lee St. Germaine's disappearance remains open, a long-standing cold case for the New York State Police. The primary theory continues to be that she tragically drowned while attempting to cross the frozen lake, a plan she had shared with her brother. The discovery of her footprints leading to a patch of thin ice is the most significant and heartbreaking clue in her enduring mystery.
Last Seen: Feb 13, 1973
