Joshua Guimond Disappeared After a Poker Party in Collegeville Minnesota

Joshua “Josh” Guimond was born on June 18, 1982, in Maple Lake, Minnesota, to parents Brian Guimond and Lisa Cheney. From an early age, Josh displayed a remarkable intellect and unshakable drive. He served as class president and valedictorian at Maple Lake High School, excelling in debate, student government, and academic competitions. His passion for politics and public service led him to Saint John’s University in Collegeville, where he majored in political science. By his junior year, peers and professors alike regarded him as a future leader—he dreamed of attending Yale Law School and pursuing a career in policy and advocacy.

A Quiet Campus and a Routine Evening

Saint John’s University’s rural campus, nestled beside Stumpf Lake and shaded by towering pines, was known for its tranquil beauty and close-knit community. On the evening of November 9, 2002, Josh joined friends for a small card game at an off-campus apartment in Metten Court. The gathering was casual—just a handful of classmates unwinding before midterm exams. Around 11:00 PM, Josh swiped his dorm key at St. Maur Hall, signaling his departure. He returned to the card game, where he stayed until about 11:45 PM.

Last Confirmed Sighting

Witnesses at the gathering later recounted seeing Josh leave through the front door, coat on and briefcase in hand, to walk the three-minute route back to St. Maur Hall. Security cameras did not capture his return, but keycard logs confirmed his exit at 11:06 PM and no subsequent swipe. Minutes later, around 11:50 PM, friends noted his absence when cleaning up. Nobody saw him re-enter the dorm or board a campus shuttle. The cool November air, cloaked in darkness and punctuated by rustling leaves, swallowed his solitary figure as he ventured onto the pedestrian bridge over Stumpf Lake.

The Discovery of an Abandoned Car

The next morning, Josh’s red Mercury Tracer was found parked in its usual spot outside his dormitory. The engine was cold, keys still in the ignition. Inside lay his wallet, eyeglasses, and coat—essential items for anyone stepping out on a November night. His laptop remained logged in on his desk, its screen displaying an open word processor. No notes or messages hinted at where he might have gone. The scene suggested an abrupt disappearance rather than a planned outing.

Immediate Search and Response

Alarmed friends alerted campus security around 7:30 AM on November 10. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office joined Saint John’s Department of Public Safety to coordinate a massive search. Ground teams scoured wooded trails, shoreline edges, and abandoned buildings. K-9 units followed scent trails from the bridge to the lakeshore. Boats and sonar equipment combed the chilly waters of Stumpf Lake and adjacent tributaries. Helicopters with infrared imaging sweeps flew overhead. Despite these efforts, no sign of Josh emerged.

Evidence and Forensic Leads

Investigators noted that the scent dogs tracked Josh’s trail to the water’s edge but lost the trail there. No personal effects were found beyond the car. Schmutz fragments on the bridge railing suggested someone had leaned heavily against it. Tiny flecks of fabric appeared in underbrush near the shore. A faint boot print—a men’s size 10—caught attention, but weather and wildlife compromised its integrity. Forensic teams collected soil, water samples, and vegetation for later analysis; however, none yielded definitive clues.

Digital Footprints and Deleted Files

Two years into the cold case, detectives obtained a warrant to examine data on Josh’s personal computer. Specialists discovered that shortly after his disappearance someone had wiped browser histories and deleted entire directories. File-recovery efforts uncovered searches on creating false identification and multiple chat logs under a female alias. Hidden directories contained still images of nearly thirty different male profiles from online chat rooms. Investigators released photos of these individuals as persons of interest, hoping the public could identify anyone who might have met Josh on campus that night.

Suspected Acquaintances and Persons of Interest

Several names emerged during interviews. A roommate dispute with Nick Hydukovich over a shared friend fueled speculation that tension had boiled over. Hydukovich declined a polygraph and provided conflicting accounts of his own whereabouts. Another lead involved a man driving an orange Pontiac Sunfire seen near the bridge—he surrendered the vehicle for examination but parked it on a salvage lot before its contents could be fully processed. Additionally, scent-tracking dogs indicated a trail toward Saint John’s Abbey property, prompting questions about restricted areas first scoured by monks and later by volunteers.

Theories Explored

Over two decades, theories have ranged widely:

• Accidental Drowning: The simplest explanation holds that Josh slipped from the bridge, perhaps disoriented or fatigued, into the dark lake and was carried beneath by currents.
• Foul Play: The erased digital evidence and unidentified persons on his computer suggest potential meeting with someone who harmed him.
• Voluntary Disappearance: Some posit that Josh, under emotional distress or scholarly pressure, staged his own exit using forged IDs.
• Abduction: The series of attempted roadside stops earlier that week fueled fears of a predator targeting college men.

None of these theories has produced conclusive proof.

Impact on Family and Community

For Brian and Lisa Guimond, every unanswered question has been a fresh wound. They coordinated media appearances, placed billboards along highways, and offered a reward for anyone with credible information. The Maple Lake community hosted annual candlelight vigils, while Saint John’s University installed improved lighting and emergency call stations on campus. Professors and classmates established a scholarship fund in Josh’s name to support political-science students who demonstrate community leadership.

Renewed Interest and Modern Techniques

The release of a Netflix true-crime episode in 2022 and the Simply Vanished podcast reignited public interest. Thousands of tips poured in, prompting law enforcement to revisit cold tips with genetic genealogy and advanced forensic phenotyping. Investigators reprocessed hair and fiber samples using more sensitive DNA-extraction methods. Digital forensics teams pored over server logs from campus Wi-Fi to reconstruct device movements that night. A composite sketch updated witness descriptions of individuals around the bridge area.

The Ongoing Search for Truth

As of 2025, the case remains unsolved but far from forgotten. Detectives continue to follow leads, cross-reference new DNA databases, and interview anyone connected to the thirty photo profiles. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office maintains a dedicated cold-case division, and campus security provides ongoing support. Josh’s family holds out hope that one day someone will recall a fleeting detail—an overheard remark, a silhouette in the trees, a car headlight flicker—that can finally unravel the mystery.

Lessons and Legacy

The disappearance of Josh Guimond underscores the fragility of safety, even in seemingly secure settings. His case has become a landmark example for law-enforcement training on campus safety protocols, digital-evidence preservation, and community engagement in missing-person investigations. Memorial scholarship recipients carry forward Josh’s legacy of leadership, and every new tip serves as a testament to the enduring impact one life can have on many.