Episode
123: DISAPPEARANCE and DEATH: Chuck Rutherford and Lana Stempien
- Podcast
- Detective Perspective
- Published
- Feb 7, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3469
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://audioboom.com/posts/8858443
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Summary
On the morning of August 12, 2005, a boater on Lake Huron came across a cabin cruiser drifting alone in the water, struggling against the wind and waves. When the Coast Guard arrived, they found the boat in neutral, with the radio still playing, and no one on board. The boat belonged to attorneys Lana Stempien and Chuck Rutherford, who had set out days earlier on a planned trip to Mackinac Island. There was no sign of them anywhere. Police quickly opened a missing persons investigation, and according to many, what investigators uncovered didn’t add up. Then, nearly two weeks later, Lana’s body was recovered. Chuck was never found. To this day, what happened on that boat remains a mystery, leaving everyone wondering: what happened to Lana Stempien and Chuck Rutherford? If you have any information in this case, please call the Michigan State Police at 906-643-7582. Editor: Shannon Keirce Research/Writing: Haley Gray SUBMIT A CASE HERE: [email protected] SOCIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detperspective/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/detperspective FIND DERRICK HERE Twitter: https://twitter.com/DerrickL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DerrickLevasseur Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DerrickVLevasseur CRIME WEEKLY AND COFFEE Criminal Coffee Company: https://www.CriminalCoffeeCo.com Crime Weekly: https://crimeweeklypodcast.com/shop ADS: 1. https://www. Smalls.com/DETECTIVE - Use code DETECTIVE to get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping! 2. https://www. Hungryroot.com/DETECTIVE - Use code DETECTIVE to get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life!