I realize this is extremely unlikely...All the same, something about this caught and held my attention (so do shiny things, but's that a different story).
From The Doe Network:
Case File 997DMNY
Lake, circa 1967 at 37 -----------age progressed to 73 ------------NY UID hiker
John Eric Lake
Missing since December 10, 1967 from New York City, New York.
Classification: Missing
Vital Statistics
- Date Of Birth: February 18, 1930
- Age at Time of Disappearance: 37 years old
- Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 6'0"; 180 lbs.
- Distinguishing Characteristics: White male. Lake wore black-rimmed glasses.
- Marks, Scars: Small scar on chin
- Clothing: Lake may have been wearing a navy blue blazer with a striped lining at the time of his disappearance.
- Dentals: Detailed dental records are available.
- Fingerprints: Available
Circumstances of Disappearance
John Lake was last seen on the evening of December 10, 1967 in Manhattan, NY, after having dinner with an acquaintance. According to the acquaintance, he had several drinks when he dropped her off at her apartment in Midtown and began walking to a subway station to go downtown to his apartment in Greenwich Village. He was not seen again.
Lake was the sports editor for Newsweek Magazine at the time of his disappearance.
Many of Lake's co-workers at Newsweek feel his disappearance was voluntary. He had been depressed for at least a year, due mainly to the deteriorating relationship with his wife and growing dissatisfaction with his job. Despite his high-profile position, he had struggled financially for years. More than a few of Lake's associates thought he just wanted some peace, although none seem to find suicide likely.
His disappearance was investigated by the NYPD as well as Pinkerton Detective Agency.
NYPD Missing Persons reopened the investigation in 2004.
Lake was extremely fond of sports, especially track, basketball, football, baseball and car racing. He was a runner himself and believed in keeping fit, although he also loved an occasional cigar.
Lake was a lover of the arts, including literature and theater; he preferred folk and country music. He was an extremely talented writer and editor and was a voracious reader.
Lake was not impressed with material wealth and, if still alive today, he is likely to have chosen a very simple lifestyle.
***** ****** ******
Lake was famous in his day as a sports writer, interviewing such legends as Willie Mays and Cassius Clay. He had seperated from his wife and was living in an apartment in Greenwich Village. Though they had tried to reconcile, Lake agreed to a divorce just weeks before his disappearance. He had had various "flings" with friends and co-workers, but nothing seemed serious.
Its not so inconceivable that Lake just chucked it all and started a new life, maybe writing for a small town paper or changing directions altogether.
Lake and the unknown hiker share similar builds, both being around 6'. Lake was athletic, as a hiker most likely would be, but he also smoked cigars (and LE believes the hiker was also a smoker). Lake would have been around 60 when the hiker died, within the age range given for the UID (45-60). Lake was an avid reader with an interest in literature; the UID's choice of reading material that day certainly fits in with that interest.
The tag on the knapsack reads "RJ Bass". A creative person with the last name "Lake" might well chose an alias like "Bass" as a play on his own name.
