Missing Poughkeepsie Man Found Dead on Appalachian Trail

Pawling, NY – On June 19, 2016, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department requested assistance from the New York State Police in Dover Plains with a missing persons investigation.

Brandon Ellis, 39, was reported missing by a family member after he failed to return to his home on June 18th. On June 19, 2016, Ellis’ vehicle was subsequently located at the Appalachian Trail head, on State Route 55 in the Town of Pawling.

A brief search of the trails was conducted, but due to impending nightfall, the search was suspended and set to resume on the morning of June 20.

Jointly with the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, New York State Forest Search and Rescue Services, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. National Park Services, members of Pawling Fire Department, Beekman Fire Department, Union Vale Fire Department, Millbrook Fire Department, Dover Fire Department, Pleasant Valley Fire Department, Putnam Lake Fire Department, Sherman Connecticut Fire Department and the Dutchess County Emergency Response Assistant Fire Coordinator, the search resumed Monday morning.

At approximately 1:54 p.m., a member of the search detail located Ellis -- deceased.

The Dutchess County Medical Examiner responded to the scene. The cause of Ellis’ death remains under investigation and the autopsy results are pending toxicology. A preliminary investigation did not reveal any notable signs of foul play.