Kevin vanished on September 30, 1982, from his family’s summer home in Sugar Bush Township, northeast of Bemidji.<\/p>\n
Now, 44 years later, authorities are searching a nearby property following information provided by family members.<\/p>\n
The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) are working together on the investigation.<\/p>\n
New Tip Sends Investigators to Nearby Property<\/h2>\n
Investigators began searching the property on Thursday, October 22, 2026, and expected their work to continue through the weekend.<\/p>\n
According to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS<\/a>, authorities are examining outbuildings rather than the main residence.<\/p>\n Someone previously considered a person of interest once lived at the property, according to the sheriff’s office.<\/p>\n That person no longer lives there, although family members remain at the location.<\/p>\n The BCA confirmed its agents were assisting with a search warrant in Sugar Bush Township.<\/p>\n Investigators have not announced any discoveries connected to the latest search.<\/p>\n Kevin was playing upstairs with his older brother when his mother briefly stepped outside their summer home.<\/p>\n When she returned, Kevin was gone.<\/p>\n The family’s Springer Spaniel puppy, named Flash, also disappeared around the same time.<\/p>\n Kevin had limited speech and a hearing impairment, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children<\/a>.<\/p>\n Five days after Kevin vanished, Flash returned to the family home on October 5, 1982.<\/p>\n The puppy’s return raised questions about where it had been and whether it could lead investigators to Kevin.<\/p>\n Veterinarians examined the dog’s stomach contents and found swamp grass, according to earlier investigative accounts.<\/p>\n Investigators later placed a tracking collar on Flash and released him at different locations.<\/p>\n They hoped the puppy would return to wherever Kevin had disappeared.<\/p>\n Instead, Flash repeatedly made his way home.<\/p>\n The original search involved hundreds of volunteers and assistance from state and federal agencies.<\/p>\n Despite those efforts, authorities found no confirmed trace of Kevin.<\/p>\n The latest investigation has renewed attention on one of northern Minnesota’s long-standing missing-child cases.<\/p>\n Lakeland News<\/a> reported that investigators were examining several areas around a building on the property.<\/p>\n A drone was also observed above the home and garage during the operation.<\/p>\n As of October 23, 2026, authorities had announced no new evidence or breakthrough.<\/p>\n Kevin’s disappearance remains an active mystery, and investigators continue following available leads.<\/p>\n Anyone with information about Kevin’s disappearance can contact the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office at 218-333-9111<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Tips can also be shared with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Kevin’s official Minnesota BCA missing person bulletin<\/a> remains available to the public.<\/p>\n I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\nWhat Happened to Kevin Ayotte in 1982?<\/h2>\n
The Family Dog Returned, But Kevin Never Did<\/h2>\n
Search Continues After More Than Four Decades<\/h2>\n
Anyone With Information Is Asked to Come Forward<\/h2>\n
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