Local News

Search continues in White Mountains for missing Cambridge man

65-year-old William Donovan, of Cambridge, is an avid hiker who has been missing for three weeks. His car was found at the Crawford Path in the White Mountains.

By Molly Farrar

May 8, 2024

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Authorities renewed the search for a 65-year-old Cambridge man last seen three weeks ago who appeared to have gone hiking in New Hampshire, the state’s Fish and Game department said.

William Donovan’s car was found April 28 in Carroll, N.H. at the Crawford Path in the White Mountains. When authorities found the car, Donovan had been missing since April 16, or about two weeks. 

“It was discovered that Donovan appears to be an avid hiker, but a search of his vehicle revealed several pieces of hiking gear that would have been beneficial if he was planning a hike in the White Mountains,” Lieutenant Mark Ober wrote in a press release. “It is assumed that he went for a hike, but this has not yet been confirmed.”

At that time, New Hampshire Fish and Game said their search was hindered by deep snow and found no evidence of Donovan. They searched around the Crawford Path, Edmands Path, Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Pierce, and the ridgeline connecting them.

Cambridge police found in Donovan’s home a handwritten note indicating he would potentially be hiking Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Adams, Fish and Game said, but he lives alone and did not leave an itinerary.

Search resumed May 3

Fish and Game said that despite no new leads, conservation officers, volunteers, K-9 units, a wilderness response team, and a New Hampshire Army National Guard helicopter continued the search for Donovan on Friday.

Teams searched similar areas on the ground and in the air, Fish and Game said, and several drainages near the paths. While no evidence of Donovan was found, there could be future searches, official said.

“Snow is still very deep with treacherous water crossings on some trails particularly in the Dry River Wilderness,” Ober said.