John T. Mestayer, a 23-year-old graduate student at Louisiana State University, disappeared in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. At the time, he was married and studying geology. On the day he went missing, John was dressed in a t-shirt, blue jeans, and tennis shoes. He stood at six feet one inch tall and weighed around 165 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. His case is one of many unsolved missing person cases that have troubled the Baton Rouge area for decades.
The circumstances surrounding John's disappearance point to a tragic accident. He was reportedly by the Mississippi River with his dog, throwing a rubber baton for it to fetch. The dog became caught in the strong river current near a barge. In an attempt to rescue his dog, John entered the water and also found himself in trouble. Eyewitness accounts state that the current pulled him under the barge, and he was not seen again.
Despite the belief that he drowned in the Mississippi River, John's body was never recovered. The official classification of his case is considered a suspected accident or as a lost/injured missing person. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office handled the investigation into his disappearance. The case remains a poignant memory for those who knew him and a lingering mystery for the community, highlighting the perils of the powerful river that flows through the heart of the city. An overview of the case suggests a compassionate young man lost his life in a valiant effort to save his beloved pet, a narrative that has persisted for years.Last Seen: Apr 9, 1985
