Donald Messier

Case Information:

Donald Messier, age 34, disappeared from Waterbury, Vermont, in the early morning hours of October 15, 2006. He was last seen leaving a party in Waitsfield in his red 1997 Ford F-150 pickup truck.

A lifelong resident of Waterbury, Donald was a well-known and deeply loved figure in his community. He was a hard worker described as generous, dependable, and devoted to his family.

Case Details:

On the evening of October 14, 2006, Donald spent time with his father before heading to a friend’s home to watch a NASCAR race. He later attended a party in Waitsfield with over 50 people.

At approximately 2:00 a.m. on October 15, witnesses saw Donald leave the gathering in his red 1997 Ford F-150 dual-cab pickup truck. He was headed toward Waterbury and did not appear intoxicated at the time.

Timeline of Events:

Concern mounted when Donald failed to appear for his shift at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters that Monday. His sister found no sign that he had returned home, and he was officially reported missing on October 18, 2006.

Since his disappearance, there has been no activity on his bank accounts, credit cards, or cell phone. Extensive searches of the surrounding forests and the Waterbury Reservoir initially yielded no results.

Investigation:

On October 6, 2022, the volunteer dive team Adventures With Purpose located Donald’s truck submerged in the Winooski River in Duxbury. The team focused their sonar search on deep stretches along River Road.

The truck was found largely intact, though the cab hood, windows, and roof were missing. While personal belongings were recovered from the vehicle, no human remains were located at the scene.

Community Response:

Donald’s disappearance left a lasting wound on the tight-knit communities of Waitsfield and Waterbury. Neighbors rallied to post flyers and held prayer vigils in hopes of finding answers.

A park bench along Thatcher Brook in Waterbury was dedicated in his memory as an enduring tribute. The public Facebook page “Forever Friends of Donnie Messier” continues to keep his story alive.

Family Statements:

Donald’s sister, Amy Currier, has been the steadfast voice of the family for nearly two decades. She has spoken openly about the pain of uncertainty and her belief that her brother did not leave willingly.

Amy recalls that her family was Donald’s world, and he would not have left without a goodbye. She continues to hope for the closure that would come from knowing his final fate.

Physical Appearance:

Donald Messier stands six feet tall and weighed approximately 260 pounds at the time he vanished. He has brown hair and was last seen wearing a plaid black-and-blue shirt and jeans.

His red 1997 Ford F-150 featured a moon visor, black tonneau cover, and NASCAR decals. While the truck was recovered in 2022, Donald himself remains missing.

Current Status:

The Vermont State Police maintain this as an active missing person investigation. It is catalogued in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System as case MP6977.

His case is also profiled on The Charley Project. Despite the vehicle recovery, no definitive conclusion has been reached regarding Donald’s fate.

Contact Information:

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Donald Messier, please contact the Vermont State Police Berlin Barracks at (802) 229-9191. You may also submit a tip directly through NamUs
under case #MP6977. All tips are handled with full confidentiality. Your information, no matter how small, could provide the answers his family has sought for nearly twenty years.

---