In the late summer of 2025, concern grew for the well-being of Male Cameron Ansel, a 17-year-old male from Gainesville, Florida. His family and community were alarmed when he was reported missing on September 12, 2025. This was not the first time the community had faced uncertainty regarding the young man's whereabouts. A few years prior, in November 2022, a then 14-year-old Cameron had been the subject of a missing juvenile alert issued out of Lake City.
In that instance, he had disappeared along with two other teenagers, Thomas “Gage” Schultz and Michael Ezell. The boys were last seen together one afternoon, and it was believed they had traveled north on State Road 47.
During the 2022 incident, the Lake City Police Department circulated photographs and descriptions to aid in the search. At the time, Cameron was described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 120 pounds. He was last seen wearing a pink sweatshirt and grey jogger-style pants. The search for the three teens extended beyond the initial 24-hour period, causing distress for their families and the wider community. That period of anxiety concluded with relief, as the Lake City Police Department reported a few days later that all three boys had been located and were safe. This previous experience undoubtedly heightened the sense of urgency and worry when Cameron was reported missing again, this time from the Gainesville area in Alachua County.
Following his disappearance in September 2025, official reports from the investigating agency have indicated that Cameron has been found alive. The specific details surrounding the circumstances and exact date of his recovery have not been made publicly available. The news that he is safe has brought immense relief to those who were concerned for him. The case serves as a poignant reminder of the anxiety that grips a community when a young person goes missing. It highlights the period of uncertainty and fear experienced by the family and the subsequent sense of closure that comes with a safe recovery.Last Seen: Sep 12, 2025