Beltrami County, MN – Law enforcement officials are actively searching a detached garage on a property in Sugarbush Township for possible human remains tied to the 1982 disappearance of 3‑year‑old Kevin Ayotte. Court documents filed Oct. 31 in the Beltrami County District Court detail the investigative steps taken.
Tip leads to renewed search
The investigation was revived after a person identified only as “R1” contacted the Sheriff’s Office on July 2, 2025, claiming to have information about Kevin’s disappearance. R1 said the tip came from a relative who died in April 2024 and from other family members, and that the information indicated Kevin was buried beneath a detached garage on the property.
According to the affidavit supporting the search warrant, R1 believed it was “the right thing to do” to share the tip. The individual named in the tip was interviewed in October 2025 and denied any involvement.
Search warrant and methods
A judge signed a warrant on Oct. 19 authorizing the use of ground‑penetrating radar and human‑remains detection dogs. The search was carried out on the morning of Oct. 22, after a brief weather‑related delay.
The radar detected an anomaly in the soil near the southeast corner of the garage. A detection dog also showed a “trained final response” four times – twice inside the garage near the same corner and twice outside, once near the southeast corner and once on the north side.
Investigators then drilled holes in the concrete inside the garage and probed the ground outside to release any odor that might indicate a body. The dog’s repeated responses were taken as strong indicators of human remains.
Equipment and evidence collected
A second warrant issued on Oct. 22 allowed the use of saws, jackhammers, skid‑steers, backhoes, and shovels to remove concrete and dirt. Items taken into custody included a pair of blue adult underwear, a plastic part, debris from the garage, and photographs of the scene.
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension lab request lists the underwear and plastic part as found in the garage’s southwest corner, with an estimated analysis completion date of Nov. 22.
Background on the case
Kevin Ayotte was reported missing by his mother on Sept. 30, 1982, after being last seen in his yard around 5 p.m. with the family dog, Flash. He was described as having difficulty speaking and hearing, and was possibly wearing blue jeans, a red‑and‑white checkered shirt, and tennis shoes.
Searches over the decades have included foot, vehicle, airplane, and boat efforts, but no remains or clothing have been recovered. The affidavit notes that numerous tips have not led to a resolution and that, based on training and experience, it is likely a person other than Kevin caused his disappearance.
Current status
The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on Nov. 3 indicating the search has concluded, but no determination has been made regarding the presence of human remains. Officials said additional details will be released when they will not compromise the investigation.
The property in question lies about three miles west of the location where Kevin disappeared.
Original reporting: KFYR-TV Bismarck (news) — read the source article.
