John Arthur Key, a 67-year-old man from Newman Lake, Washington, was last seen on the waters of Lake Pend Oreille in Bonner County, Idaho, on July 2, 2017. He had spent the day boating with friends and was heading back to Bayview, Idaho, when he disappeared. Concern arose when Mr. Key failed to arrive at his destination. His friends later discovered his unoccupied boat idling in the middle of the lake near Cape Horn. At the time of his disappearance, Mr.
Key was described as a white male with white hair and blue eyes, standing at 5'8" and weighing 230 pounds. He was also known to wear prescription eyeglasses.
Following the discovery of his empty vessel, an extensive search was launched by the Bonner County Sheriff's Office. The initial efforts included three marine division boats, assistance from the Timber Lake Fire District and Spirit Lake Fire, and an aerial search conducted by a Sheriff's Special Deputy in a private helicopter. The search continued into the evening before being suspended after nightfall without any sign of Mr. Key. The search efforts resumed, and several days later, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office sonar team was brought in to aid in the search for Mr. Key's body, as he was presumed to have drowned.
Despite the comprehensive search efforts, authorities were unable to locate John Key. The search was officially called off after the sonar equipment proved unable to penetrate the extreme depths of Lake Pend Oreille in the area where his boat was found, a location where the water is approximately 1,100 feet deep. Officials believe the extreme depth, along with the associated water pressure and cold temperatures, were contributing factors in his presumed drowning. Authorities have stated that bodies in water that deep typically do not resurface. The Bonner County Sheriff's Office investigated his disappearance.Last Seen: Jul 2, 2017
