New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Statement on Recovery of Missing Canadian Hiker Leo DuFour

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today confirmed the remains of missing hiker Leo DuFour were found off the Mt. Allen Mountain trail in Essex County. The DEC family offers our deepest condolences to the DuFour family for their loss and extends our appreciation to our dedicated Forest Rangers for their tireless efforts during the continuous and active search effort over the last few months.

On the morning of Saturday, May 10, DEC received a report about remains found by a hiking party and deployed Forest Rangers, a DEC Division of Law Enforcement Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigator, and New York State Police to the location. Recovery of the subject is currently underway in coordination with State Police.

DuFour was first reported missing in December 2024. In addition to a weeks-long Ranger-led search for DuFour last December, DEC, NYSP, and agency partners continued searches this spring as snow receded across the Adirondack backcountry.