By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - July 16, 2025

A continuous search for Gene Adam Doherty, who was reported missing on July 2, 2025, from Silver Bay, Minnesota, will be suspended until new evidence is found, according to the latest release from the Cook County Sheriff's Office. 

40-year-old Doherty was reported missing on July 2, 2025, and was last seen leaving his mother's home in Silver Bay, MN. He reportedly left the residence driving a 2009 dark blue Ford Edge, with Minnesota license plate SHS838. There are concerns that he may be experiencing a mental health crisis. At the time he was last seen, Doherty was without his dog, which "concerned family and friends."

On July 11, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to an abandoned vehicle near the intersection of The Grade and Brule Lake Road, which had been parked for several days. The vehicle was identified as belonging to Doherty. Further investigation revealed the vehicle had been observed in the vicinity of that area as early as July 3, 2025.

Upon locating the vehicle, the Sheriff's Office, Cook County Search and Rescue, and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) initiated a ground search in the immediate area. Due to the close proximity of Cascade Lake to where the car was found, St. Louis County Search and Rescue, along with private contractors utilizing side-scan sonar, were brought in to assist with the search efforts. Additionally, a detection dog reportedly pinpointed Doherty's scent near the Cascade Lake public boat landing, leading to concentrated search efforts on the lake and its shoreline.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the search for Doherty continued through Monday, July 14, with "negative results," adding, "Due to the amount of time between Doherty going missing and the discovery of his vehicle, numerous thunderstorms and severe weather, lack of volunteer personnel, and the rugged, swampy terrain, the ground search is going to be suspended unless new evidence is located." The area is located along the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and, due to its rocky terrain, swamps, dense brush, and dense wilderness, can pose risks to searchers. However, the Cook County Sheriff's Office will continue efforts to search the Cascade Lake area as weather conditions permit.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension describes Doherty as 6 feet, 200 pounds, with a shaved head and green eyes. Anyone with information regarding the possible location of Gene Doherty is urged to contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Office at (218) 387-3030.

 Image: Lake County Sheriff's Office