The sudden and tragic disappearance of Robert Loren Bacon, a 52-year-old father of two, during a family vacation at the Bavarian Inn resort in Frankenmuth, Michigan, has left his family and community reeling. Bacon’s disappearance, which began with a seemingly innocuous trip to his car, unfolded into a week-long search that ultimately ended in heartbreaking discovery. His body was recovered from the Cass River, prompting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Bacon had arrived at the resort on December 27, 2023, to join his two teenage daughters, aged 15 and 13, and his mother for a family getaway. Security footage captured his arrival at 6:40 p.m., showing him bringing his belongings to his designated room. He then proceeded towards the hotel pool area, where he was supposed to meet his daughters. However, before reaching the pool, he informed his daughters that he needed to retrieve something from his car. This was the last time he was seen alive by his family.
The ensuing hours turned into days filled with growing anxiety and concern. When Bacon failed to return to the pool area, his family’s worry intensified. Three days after his disappearance, on December 30, 2023, they officially reported him missing to the Frankenmuth Police Department. Bacon’s ex-wife, Melissa McLenna, launched a desperate plea on social media, sharing his picture and urging anyone with information to come forward. The search efforts intensified, with law enforcement and volunteers combing the area around the resort.
Despite initial assumptions based on Bacon’s statement to his daughters, the investigation revealed a different trajectory of events. Security footage reviewed by investigators showed that after leaving his hotel room, Bacon went towards the resort’s fun center, deviating from the path to his car. Crucially, there was no video evidence of him ever reaching his vehicle in the parking lot, nor was there footage of him exiting the building. This perplexing detail deepened the mystery surrounding his disappearance and fueled further speculation about his whereabouts.
The search for Robert Bacon came to a tragic end on Saturday, January 6, 2024, when dive teams recovered his body from the Cass River near Heritage Park. While the preliminary cause of death was determined to be drowning, the Saginaw County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting further investigations to reach a definitive conclusion. The Frankenmuth Police Department has confirmed that the circumstances leading to Bacon’s death remain under investigation. The discovery of his body provided a somber resolution to the week-long search but also raised further questions about how he ended up in the river.
The investigation also brought to light several key details surrounding Bacon’s disappearance. His silver sedan remained undisturbed in the resort parking lot throughout the search, with no signs of foul play found inside. Furthermore, his personal belongings, including his keys, wallet, and phone, were found on his person when his body was recovered. However, it was noted that his phone had been switched off since he was last seen alive. These pieces of information, while seemingly insignificant, added layers of complexity to the unfolding narrative of his disappearance.
The news of Robert Bacon’s death has devastated his family and the wider community. McLenna, his ex-wife, expressed her profound grief and gratitude for the support received during the search in a heartfelt Facebook post. She thanked everyone who had assisted in the search efforts and those who had offered prayers and support to the family during the agonizing ordeal. The tragic loss of a father during what was supposed to be a joyous family vacation has cast a shadow over the community, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. The investigation continues, hoping to provide some closure and answers to the lingering questions surrounding Robert Bacon’s final moments.
