Michael Camilletti Missing Person Case

In the quiet town of Stanardsville, Virginia, 56-year-old retired Army Special Forces Colonel Michael Hugh Camilletti was last seen at his home on May 22, 2011. An avid and experienced outdoorsman, it was not out of the ordinary for Camilletti to embark on solo hiking and caving expeditions for extended periods without notifying anyone of his plans. This pattern of behavior meant that his absence was not immediately alarming. However, as weeks passed without any word, concern grew, and a family member officially reported him missing on June 12, 2011.

The first significant lead in the case came on June 27, 2011, when a West Virginia State Police Trooper discovered Camilletti's vehicle parked off Williams River Road, adjacent to the vast Monongahela National Forest. Inside the car, investigators found a note apparently written by Camilletti. The note detailed his intention to hike the North-South Trail within the Cranberry Wilderness, a rugged and remote area spanning over 47,000 acres. According to the note, he had planned to begin his hike on May 23 and expected to emerge from the wilderness four days later, on May 27.

Following this discovery, an extensive search and rescue operation was launched in the Cranberry Wilderness. Multiple teams, including those with cadaver dogs, scoured the challenging terrain of the Yew Mountains, where elevations range significantly. Despite their determined efforts, the search yielded no trace of Michael Camilletti. The case remains an unsolved and poignant mystery. The disappearance of a highly skilled and experienced individual like Camilletti in the wilderness he was so familiar with continues to be a point of concern and speculation for both his family and the investigators involved. His case serves as a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the wilderness and the profound sorrow of a family left without answers.
Last Seen: May 22, 2011

Michael Hugh Camilletti - The Charley Project

Missing Hiker | BladeForums.com

Missing Person / NamUs #MP71355