Martin Corbet, a 17-year-old hunter from New Brunswick, vanished on November 15, 1979, while hunting in the woods near Bartibog Station, New Brunswick. Born in 1962, Martin was last seen as he went hunting alone in the dense forests surrounding this small Miramichi River community. Despite extensive searches and investigations spanning over four decades, Martin has never been found, and his disappearance remains one of New Brunswick's most enduring missing person mysteries.
Case Overview
Full Name: Martin Corbet
Date of Birth: 1962
Age at Disappearance: 17 years old
Date Missing: November 15, 1979
Location Missing From: Bartibog Station, New Brunswick
Gender: Male
RCMP Case Reference: 2014002578
Circumstances of Disappearance
On November 15, 1979, Martin Corbet was last seen as he departed for a hunting trip in the woods surrounding Bartibog Station. According to available information, he was going hunting alone and simply never returned. The circumstances suggest this was meant to be a routine hunting excursion in an area that would have been familiar to local hunters.
Bartibog Station is a small community located along the Miramichi River system in northeastern New Brunswick. The area is characterized by dense forests, marshlands, and waterways that were historically significant for both Indigenous peoples and early European settlers. During the late 1970s, this region would have been prime hunting territory, particularly during the November hunting season.
Search Efforts and Investigation
The case has been assigned RCMP case reference number 2014002578, indicating that while the disappearance occurred in 1979, it was formally entered into modern databases in 2014. This suggests renewed investigative attention or case review processes that brought Martin's disappearance into contemporary missing person databases.
The case has been featured on various missing person websites and databases, including:
The Doe Network, where Martin's case is listed as 6449DMNB
Missing & Unsolved New Brunswick website
Instagram posts by missing person advocacy groups
Regional Context and Historical Significance
Bartibog Station's location in the Miramichi River system places Martin's disappearance in an area with deep historical significance. The Miramichi region has been home to Mi'kmaq peoples for thousands of years and later became an important area for European settlement and resource extraction. The dense forests and complex waterway systems that characterize this region have historically presented both opportunities and dangers for those who venture into them.
The area around Bartibog Station includes various geographical features that could complicate search efforts, including:
Dense forest cover
Marshlands and wetlands
Multiple waterways and tributaries
Seasonal hunting areas that would have been active in November 1979
Similar Cases and Regional Patterns
Martin Corbet's disappearance fits within a broader pattern of missing persons cases in New Brunswick's wilderness areas. The province has experienced numerous cases of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts who have disappeared in similar circumstances:
Recent examples include the 2023 case of Brian Ahern, a 76-year-old man with Alzheimer's who disappeared in the Miramichi area. Despite extensive searches involving cadaver dogs from the United States, specialized search teams, and aerial reconnaissance, Ahern was never found, demonstrating the challenges that dense New Brunswick forests present to search operations.
Another historical parallel can be found in the 1927 case of Leslie Allan, a hunter who went missing near Blackville (also in the Miramichi region). Allan's disappearance prompted a massive search involving hundreds of people, but his body wasn't discovered until spring 1928. This case has been immortalized in local folklore and demonstrates both the community response to such disappearances and the difficulty of locating missing persons in the region's challenging terrain.
Theories and Speculation
Given the limited available information about Martin Corbet's specific case, several theories can be considered regarding his disappearance:
Hunting Accident Theory
The most straightforward explanation is that Martin experienced a hunting accident while alone in the woods. Possible scenarios include:
Firearm accident: An accidental discharge could have resulted in injury or death
Fall from elevated position: Tree stands or elevated hunting positions could have led to a fatal fall
Medical emergency: A sudden health issue could have incapacitated the young hunter
Drowning: The area's numerous waterways could have presented drowning hazards
Disorientation and Exposure Theory
November weather in New Brunswick can be harsh and unpredictable. Martin could have:
Become lost in dense forest with limited visibility
Experienced hypothermia or exposure to elements
Been unable to find his way back to familiar territory
Succumbed to weather conditions while attempting to find shelter
Wildlife Encounter Theory
New Brunswick's forests in 1979 would have contained various wildlife that could pose threats to a lone hunter:
Black bears (though typically less active in November)
Possibility of aggressive wildlife protecting territory or young
Accidental encounter leading to injury
Environmental Hazards Theory
The terrain around Bartibog Station presents numerous natural hazards:
Bog holes and marshland: Potential for becoming trapped in marshy terrain
Water hazards: Rivers, streams, and wetlands could have posed drowning risks
Terrain features: Steep embankments, hidden crevasses, or unstable ground
Human Factors Theory
Less likely but possible scenarios involving other people:
Encounter with other hunters leading to accidental shooting
Meeting with individuals involved in illegal activities in remote areas
Voluntary disappearance for personal reasons (though unlikely given his young age)
Investigative Challenges
Several factors have likely complicated the investigation into Martin Corbet's disappearance:
Time Period Limitations
1979 predated modern communication technologies, GPS systems, and advanced search and rescue techniques. The initial search would have relied on:
Ground-based search teams
Limited aerial reconnaissance capabilities
Basic communication systems
Traditional tracking methods
Geographical Challenges
The Bartibog Station area presents significant obstacles to comprehensive searches:
Dense forest canopy limiting aerial visibility
Extensive wetland systems
Multiple interconnected waterways
Seasonal changes affecting accessibility to certain areas
Seasonal Factors
November timing would have created additional complications:
In 1979, rural New Brunswick communities would have had limited resources for extensive search operations compared to modern standards.
Current Status and Ongoing Efforts
Martin Corbet's case remains active in various missing person databases and continues to receive attention from advocates and researchers. The case's inclusion in modern databases with the 2014 reference number suggests ongoing law enforcement interest in resolving the disappearance.
The case has gained renewed attention through:
Social media advocacy by missing person groups
Inclusion in comprehensive missing person databases
Connection to broader missing person awareness initiatives in New Brunswick
Organizations like “Gone in NB” (www.GoneInNB.retrac.ca) work to maintain awareness of historical missing person cases like Martin's, ensuring they remain in public consciousness despite the passage of time.
Family and Community Impact
While specific information about Martin Corbet's family members was not found in available sources, the long-term impact of such disappearances on families and communities is well-documented. The lack of closure creates lasting trauma for:
Immediate family members who never learned what happened
Extended family and friends
The broader Bartibog Station community
Local hunters and outdoor enthusiasts who would have known the area
The 45+ years since Martin's disappearance would have created multiple generations affected by the unresolved case, with original family members potentially having passed away without ever learning his fate.
Hypothesis: Most Likely Scenario
Based on the available evidence and regional patterns, the most probable explanation for Martin Corbet's disappearance involves an accidental death while hunting, followed by his remains being concealed by natural environmental factors.
Supporting Evidence for This Hypothesis
Statistical Likelihood: Hunting accidents, while relatively rare, do occur, particularly among solo hunters
Environmental Concealment: The dense forests, wetlands, and complex terrain around Bartibog Station could easily conceal human remains
Seasonal Timing: November conditions could have quickly covered any evidence with early winter weather
Age Factor: At 17, Martin may have taken risks or lacked experience that older hunters would avoid
Regional Precedent: Similar cases in New Brunswick have involved hunters whose remains were not discovered for months or years
Specific Scenario Reconstruction:
Martin likely experienced either a hunting accident (firearm-related or fall from elevation) or medical emergency while alone in dense forest. His location at the time may have been:
In a remote area away from main trails
Near water features that could have complicated recovery
In terrain that would be difficult to search comprehensively
In an area where natural processes (vegetation growth, water flow, animal activity) would quickly obscure evidence
The lack of discovery after extensive searching suggests his final location was either:
In extremely dense or inaccessible terrain
Partially or completely submerged in water
In an area that searchers, despite their best efforts, were unable to thoroughly examine
Affected by natural processes that dispersed or concealed remains
Recommendations for Further Investigation
Modern Technology Applications
Ground-penetrating radar surveys of high-probability areas
Drone technology with thermal imaging capabilities
LIDAR mapping to identify previously unsearchable terrain features
Cadaver dogs trained for historical remains detection
Historical Research
Interview surviving family members, friends, and community members
Review historical weather records for November 15-30, 1979
Examine hunting permits and records from that time period
Research any other incidents or accidents in the area during that timeframe
Geographic Analysis
Create detailed topographical analysis of probable hunting areas
Identify water features, elevation changes, and natural hazards
Map historical trail systems and access points
Analyze seasonal changes in terrain accessibility
Conclusion
The disappearance of Martin Corbet represents one of New Brunswick's most enduring missing person mysteries. While the passage of 45+ years has complicated investigative efforts, the case remains an important reminder of the risks associated with solo activities in remote wilderness areas and the lasting impact of unresolved disappearances on families and communities.
The most likely explanation involves an accidental death followed by natural concealment in the challenging terrain around Bartibog Station. However, without physical evidence or witnesses, Martin's fate remains unknown, leaving his family and community without the closure they deserve.
Modern investigative techniques and renewed attention to cold cases offer hope that answers may still be found, providing resolution to one of New Brunswick's longest-standing missing person cases. The dedication of organizations like Gone in NB and continued law enforcement interest ensures that Martin Corbet's case will not be forgotten, keeping alive the possibility that someday the mystery of his disappearance will finally be solved.