On a cold day in March of 1976, an elderly man named Patrick Ezzo, known to some as Patsy, was driving near Wilmington, New York. At 82 years old, he was traveling along Route 86, reportedly on his way to a card game. Tragically, his journey was cut short when his vehicle went over a stone wall and plunged into the icy, fast-moving waters of the West Branch of the Ausable River. Witnesses at the scene described seeing the car catapult through the air before it disappeared into the river below.
The exact reason for the accident remains unknown, though speculation has included the possibility that Mr. Ezzo may have experienced a sudden medical event, such as a heart attack, which caused him to lose control of the car.
Following the devastating crash, immediate and extensive search efforts were launched to find Mr. Ezzo. The conditions were challenging, with the river full of ice and debris. Rescue teams, utilizing heavy machinery, worked diligently to clear the area in the hopes of locating him. The powerful current of the Ausable River, known for its steep descent from the Adirondack High Peaks, created a difficult and dangerous search environment. Despite the thorough search of the river, no trace of Patrick Ezzo was ever found.
The prevailing theory held by investigators is that Mr. Ezzo was tragically washed away by the strong current or perhaps became lodged beneath a rock within the riverbed. His body was never recovered, leaving his exact fate a painful mystery. Decades have passed since that day, yet the case officially remains open. For his loved ones, the lack of closure has been an enduring sorrow. The overview of this case is one of a sudden, accidental tragedy compounded by the unforgiving forces of nature, which ultimately prevented the recovery of Patrick Ezzo, leaving a lingering sense of loss within the community and a decades-long unresolved investigation.Last Seen: Mar 7, 1976
