UPDATE: New information released about missing South Range woman

STORY UPDATE — 6:13 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2015 (EDT)

New information is known about the investigation into the disappearance of a South Range woman. ABC 10 / CW 5 had a chance to speak with the mother of the missing woman.

This is the home where 31-year old Leah Harding grew up. She was living in South Range most recently with her boyfriend, 49-year-old Camiel Vanhaecke, when she disappeared roughly 50 days ago.

The Houghton County Sheriff’s Office has now confirmed that Vanhaeke is a person of interest in Leah’s disappearance but stress that he has not been formally charged in the matter.

Vanhaeke is currently lodged in the Houghton County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond while facing breaking and entering charges.

Leah was last seen on Thursday April 30th or Friday May 1st. She may have been with Vanhaeke at the time and they were possibly driving this black Jeep. Her mother simply asks that people to keep looking for her daughter.

Tammy Harding, Leah’s mother, said, “She is somewhere she cannot get to a phone to call family nor friends. Please look and just keep looking from anywhere from Baraga all the way to South Range. Don’t leave ditches, anything, unattended.”

The Sheriff’s Office is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to Leah’s location or the conviction of the person responsible.

The family has set up Go Fund Me page and a Facebook page.

And the family continues to hold on to hope that Leah will return safely.

Tammy Harding said, “I need Leah home and please help bring Leah home. Her daughter needs Leah home.”


SOUTH RANGE — The Houghton County Sheriff’s Office is looking for information on a missing South Range woman.

Deputies say 31–year–old Leah Irene Harding was last seen on April 30th. Since that time, Harding has had no apparent contact with family members or friends. She is five 5’3″ tall and weighs 130 lbs. She has brown hair and hazel eyes.

Prior to living in South Range, Harding resided in L’Anse and has been a life–long Nisula resident. Anybody with information on Harding’s whereabouts is urged to call the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office at (906) 482–0055.