The person at the center of this case
Lester John Lyon
Missing Person · Unsolved
65 years waiting · since 1961
Missing Person: Lester John Lyon
Justice for Lester John Lyon — the trail went cold in 1961, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🔍
evidence
Lead #1Why was an index card with Lester's name and a family member's address found in his abandoned car, and what was its significance?
📍
location
Lead #2How did Lester's car end up at Rock Springs if the park caretaker never saw it enter that day, and why was it not in his usual parking spot?
💡
clue
Lead #3Lester knew the paths around the springs well—did he intentionally venture into the swamp, or does his familiarity with the area suggest something else occurred?
Lester John Lyon, a 37-year-old man, disappeared on April 26, 1961, after leaving for work in Orlando, Florida to make collections in Apopka and Winter Garden. His abandoned car was found at Rock Springs (now Kelly Park), a location he frequently visited, with an index card bearing his name inside—but the park caretaker reported the car was not in Lester's usual spot and had not been seen entering that day. Despite extensive searches by helicopters from McCoy Air Base and Sanford Naval Air Station, law enforcement, and family members combing the surrounding swamp areas, Lester was never found, leaving open questions about whether he met with foul play, became lost in the swamp he knew well, or left voluntarily.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
👁️
witness
Lead #4What did the acquaintance who saw Lester on April 25th heading toward the second landing know about Lester's plans or state of mind?
📍
location
Lead #5Why did the limited swamp search find nothing, and were more extensive searches of the surrounding wetlands ever conducted?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP160655. Missing person: Lester John Lyon.
Last known contact: 1961-04-26 in Orlando, Orange, FL. Circumstances: Lester was last seen on April 26th, 1961, leaving for work.
He was supposed to make collections in Apopka and Winter Garden. His car was found in Rock Springs (now known as Kelly Park).
Lester had been a regular at Rock Springs for the previous six months. At park closing, the park caretaker noticed Lester’s car abandoned and not in Lester’s usual parking spot.
Also, he had not seen Lester’s car enter the park that day. A 2x4 inch index card was found in the car with Lester’s name and the name and address of a family member.
On April 28th, 1961, a missing person report was filed by that family member. On May 3rd, 1961, helicopters from McCoy Air Base and Sanford Naval Air Station searched the area for Lester while law enforcement and family searched ‘along the edge of the big swamp’.
The next day, May 4th, law enforcement interviewed an acquaintance of Lester who had last seen Lester on Tuesday April 25th, the day before he went missing, about noon. He was heading in the direction of the second landing.
Lester knew the paths around the springs very well. Law enforcement searched a small portion of the big swamp and found nothing.
Demographics: 37 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 11 in, 195 lbs, hair: Black, eyes: Gray.
Investigating agency: Orange County Sheriff's Office | 61-038822 | 1961-04-28.
Timeline of Events
👁️
1961-04-25
12:00Last confirmed sighting
An acquaintance saw Lester around noon heading toward the second landing at Rock Springs
👤
1961-04-26
Lester goes missing
Lester left for work to make collections in Apopka and Winter Garden; never returned
🕵️
1961-04-28
Missing person report filed
Family member filed official missing person report with Orange County Sheriff's Office
🕵️
1961-05-03
Aerial and ground search
Helicopters from McCoy Air Base and Sanford Naval Air Station searched the area; law enforcement and family searched along the edge of the big swamp
🕵️
1961-05-04
Swamp search and witness interview
Law enforcement interviewed acquaintance and searched a small portion of the big swamp, finding nothing
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:April 25, 1961 at 12:00 PM
Last Updated:October 31, 2026
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Phone: 4072547200
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Case Information
Incident:April 25, 1961 at 12:00 PM
Last Updated:October 31, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 4072547200
You can remain anonymous