Missing man found in Ashland
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
ASHLAND — The search for 58-year-old Charlie Flint, of Presque Isle, has come to an end, after his body was discovered the morning of Aug. 19 on a logging road just off Route 11.
“This case came to a tragic end. Even though we were expecting the possibility of finding Mr. Flint dead, we were holding out hope he could be somewhere else,” said Det. Sgt. Wayne Selfridge, lead investigator for the Presque Isle Police Department.
Flint had been reported missing by his family Aug. 8, with the last known sighting of the Presque Isle man on Tuesday, Aug. 9, in Washburn. Police had believed Flint might be in the Ashland area, since he was originally from the area and was known to enjoy traveling the many roads through the woods there. Selfridge said the search was made more difficult by the fact Flint had not told anyone exactly where he planned to travel, nor had he taken his cell phone with him.
“Flint apparently drove in off Route 11 on roads he probably knew well. He took a turn on a skidder road, got stuck about 100 yards from the main road. His ambulatory issues and lack of a cell phone resulted in him being unable to get help. He had several medical issues that would have made it difficult for him to travel far on foot,” said Selfridge, noting Flint also had left his medications, including some for a heart condition, at his home.
Flint’s sole companion on his final journey was his pet Pomeranian, Rocky.
“Flint got out of the vehicle and collapsed onto the ground in a puddle next to his Jeep Wrangler. Luckily he left the door open, which allowed Rocky to survive. The dog stayed with his master for the full 10 days, until someone in the logging industry who was traveling the road found Flint on the ground next to his vehicle,” said Selfridge.
Rocky was taken to a vet and later released to a family member.
Selfridge said he feels Flint “passed probably the last evening he was seen.”
“It’s a formality when a death is unattended for the medical examiner to get involved. The examination has been done and nothing suspicious was found at the scene or upon examining Flint. We’re presuming he died of natural causes,” he said.
Selfridge said while this wasn’t the way he hoped the case would end, it does provide the family with closure.
“Finally Flint’s family and friends have closure. A compliment goes to the family, friends and the tight-knit community of Ashland and the search they conducted. Considering they had no point of origin to begin their search, they did a great job, covering a lot of ground,” said the detective sergeant.
He also wished to thank the public for helping try to locate Flint.
“Thanks also go out to the citizens of The County for all the calls and reported sightings that were checked out by law enforcement,” said Selfridge. “We take every tip seriously.”
Selfridge encourages anyone planning to travel alone to let someone know the destination.
“It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re headed. Should an emergency arise, help will know where to begin looking,” said Selfridge.
A graveside committal service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Willard Cemetery on River Road in Oxbow, with Rev. Donald Morton Jr. officiating. To leave online condolences, visit www.ouellettefuneralhome.com.
