On September 20, 2019, 56-year-old James Runkle left his home in North Judson, Indiana, with plans for a day of fishing. He was driving his black 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, and in the bed was his orange kayak. His intention was to enjoy some time on the water before a doctor's appointment scheduled for that afternoon in Plymouth, Indiana. However, James never made it to his appointment.
His journey took an unexpected turn northward, leading him away from his intended destinations. The last confirmed sighting of James was the following day, on September 21, 2019, at Lou's Fish Market in Two Harbors, Minnesota, a scenic city on the shore of Lake Superior.
The days turned into a week with no word from James, prompting growing concern from his family. On September 29, 2019, his truck was discovered abandoned at the Twin Points boat launch, an access point to the vast and often treacherous waters of Lake Superior. The truck was locked, and inside, investigators found his wallet and ID, but there were no signs of a struggle or foul play. Chillingly, the fish he had purchased from the market in Two Harbors was found uneaten inside the vehicle. The most telling clue, and the one that sparked a massive search effort, was the absence of the orange kayak from the truck's bed. This led authorities to believe that he had likely launched his kayak into the lake.
Despite extensive searches of the lake and its shoreline by the U.S. Coast Guard, involving both boats and aircraft, no trace of James or his orange kayak was ever found. At the time of his disappearance, James was described as being 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing around 210 pounds, with a bald head and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt, camouflage pants, tall rubber boots, and glasses. A Silver Alert was issued but was eventually canceled in March 2022. Though the active criminal investigation has concluded due to a lack of evidence suggesting a crime was committed, James Runkle remains listed as a missing person. The case is a perplexing one for law enforcement and a source of unending pain for his family, leaving behind a profound sense of uncertainty and unanswered questions about his final moments.Last Seen: Sep 21, 2019
