CARIBOU, Maine — Wardens are still searching a 300-square-mile area around Lee in hopes of finding a retired priest missing since July 15.
Clement Thibodeau, 85, of Caribou left his hometown that day and hasn’t been seen since. Maine State Police issued a Silver Alert, which notifies media outlets throughout Maine of any missing senior citizens who may have memory or cognitive issues, late last week in hopes of finding the retired Catholic priest.
Caribou Police Chief Michael Gahagan said on July 27 the Maine State Police are aware that Thibodeau has medical history and cognitive issues.
Caribou PD sent a release on Monday afternoon indicating that electronic tracking used to locate Thibodeau pointed to the Lee area. The Maine Warden Service has outlined a 300 square mile area around this location and, according to Caribou PD, have been searching “by land and air, along with other local lan
downers.”
As of Thursday afternoon, Gahagan said wardens are still combing the area and are now utilizing flares in their search.
Thibodeau served as a priest at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bangor in the 1980s, and eventually became their pastor in 1993, and has connections to eastern, central, and southern Maine through his work.
Caribou PD believe that Thibodeau left the area in a gray 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle’s license plate number is 638AA.
Those with any relevant information are asked to contact their local police, or directly call Caribou PD at (207) 493-3301.