Thu, 09/29/2022 - 8:00am

The family of Graham Lacher, missing since June 6, when he fled the grounds of Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center (DDPC) in Bangor, has increased the reward amount for his safe return from $500 to $2,500. They are also making a special appeal to outdoor enthusiasts in advance of hunting season.

“We’ve been contacted by several people who want to pledge money to raise the amount of the reward,” said his mother, Tammy Lacher Scully, in a news release. “So we set up a GoFundMe for that purpose.”

Scully said if the reward is not claimed, all pledged donations will be returned to donors. Full details of the reward’s terms and conditions can be found in sidebar and on the Facebook page Missing Graham Lacher.

Reward’s terms and conditions

Family (herein referred to as “Makers”) is offering a $2,500 reward (herein referred to as “Reward”) for the first tip that leads directly to the safe return of Graham Lacher. This reward is being offered until October 1, 2023.

Wherefore, the Makers of this award desire to discover the whereabouts of Graham Lacher. Wherefore, the Makers do not promise or convey any warranty to any person or entity.

Wherefore, the Makers of this offer shall always remain not liable for any and all loss or harm that may arise from any and all actions, activities, speech, thoughts, and all other possibilities of any person, entity, or company that proceeds in any manner or method in furtherance of this offer and Reward.

Wherefore, the purposes of this award are to incentivize assistance from the public to assist in procuring and reporting of relevant and useful information that leads to the discovery of the whereabouts and safe return of Graham Lacher.

I. Reward Specifics:

Tip must be given directly to law enforcement officials. Law enforcement, search teams, and persons with any involvement in his disappearance are not eligible for reward.

II. Amount of Reward and Disclaimers of Warranty and Liability

Total reward amount is limited to $2,500.00 and is not a promise for performance. Reward does not represent an inducement or acceptance of contract or performance of services. Reward amount and amount awarded will be given per these terms only and if any situation arises that is outside the terms of this reward amount, the Makers of the Reward shall retain full power and authority to decide a pro rata or division of funds without guaranty or warranty and without liability.

Makers of Reward shall not be liable for any damages, harm, or loss of any company or individual that does any action or thought or process towards the stated purposes of this Reward.

Makers of Reward shall have full indemnity and accept no responsibility for financial loss, and any other harm that may or may not occur in furtherance of this Reward and its purpose.

In addition to increasing the reward amount, the family is making a special appeal. “We are mailing flyers to every tagging station in Maine, asking them to post a message aimed at hunters and guides as they enter the woods this season,” said Scully. “We think it’s possible Graham could have found his way to an unoccupied cabin stocked with food and has been managing to survive that way. If he did, this is our attempt to reach the people most likely to find him.”

The family and their supporters will be in the Bangor Public Library’s snack area Friday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to collate the special mailing and to hand out reward flyers to the general public.

Anyone wishing to find out details about the reward or who would like to take flyers to post in other places is invited to attend.

Lacher, who was admitted to DDPC in April, is diagnosed autistic and schizophrenic.

According to Scully, he is both nonsocial and afraid of people so is unlikely to congregate with others or seek help. There has not been a confirmed sighting of him since the evening of June 6.

“We believe he is either hiding and barely surviving, or someone is helping him. Either way, we think someone has seen him, but might not realize he’s missing or at-risk,” said Scully. “We’ve done everything we can think of to raise public awareness. We just finished placing 150 yard signs along major travel routes throughout the state, and we’ve visited every homeless shelter in Maine. We just desperately need someone to see him and contact authorities.”

For more information, go to the Facebook page Missing Graham Lacher or contact the Bangor Police Department at (207) 947-7384.

A Silver Alert is in effect for Lacher; his Missing Person NCIC number is M396825302.