The person at the center of this case
Dean Merlin Lewis
Missing Person · Open
22 years waiting · since 2003
Missing Person: Dean Merlin Lewis
Justice for Dean Merlin Lewis — the trail went cold in 2003, but the truth hasn't.
Start here
Key leads to think about
📍
location
Lead #1Why was Dean Lewis at Hamlin Beach State Park and what was his intended itinerary?
🚗
vehicle
Lead #2What condition was the van in when found, and were there any personal belongings or clues inside?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3What happened during the four days between his disappearance and the discovery of his vehicle?
Dean Merlin Lewis, a 42-year-old man, disappeared on September 25, 2003, after entering Hamlin Beach State Park in Hamlin, New York. His abandoned 1987 Volkswagen van was discovered at the park's campgrounds four days later on September 29, 2003. The circumstances of his disappearance remain unknown, and investigators continue to seek information about what happened to him during his stay at the state park.
Try asking
Claim this imported case
A one-time $10 claim transfers this imported case workspace to your account. You get 10 uploads for this case, 25 daily AI questions for this case, and public tips with files route to you.
10 uploads25 AI questions/day
This does not start a subscription. When the included limits are reached, the Personal plan unlocks more workspace capacity.
More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
👁️
witness
Lead #4Did anyone see Dean Lewis at the park or observe any unusual activity at his campsite?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP8027. Missing person: Dean Merlin Lewis.
Last known contact: 2003-09-25 in Hamlin, Monroe, NY. Circumstances: Dean Lewis has not been seen or heard from since entering Hamlin Beach State Park in Hamlin, NY on September 25, 2003.
Lewis's 1987 Volkswagen van was found abandoned on September 29, 2003 at the Hamlin Beach State Park Campgrounds. Lewis traveled to the East Coast staying in campgrounds within State Parks prior to his disappearance.
Demographics: 42 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 11 in, 175 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Blue.
Clothing and accessories: Eyewear: glasses. Investigating agency: New York State Police - Troop E Headquarters | EHEN00264 / SJS: 544610.
Timeline of Events
👤
2003-09-25
Last Known Contact
Dean Lewis last seen entering Hamlin Beach State Park in Hamlin, NY
🔍
2003-09-29
Vehicle Found
Lewis's 1987 Volkswagen van discovered abandoned at Hamlin Beach State Park Campgrounds
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 25, 2003
Last Updated:May 28, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5853984100
You can remain anonymous
Leave a comment
Comments
Case Information
Incident:September 25, 2003
Last Updated:May 28, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5853984100
You can remain anonymous