Breaking

Hamilton Police have arrested a 31 year old male in connection with a series of incidents at a mountain convenience store.

The Hamilton Police Missing Persons Investigation Unit manages over 1,700 cases each year. Most missing individuals are located within 24 to 72 hours, but some investigations can continue for months or even years.

Before Contacting Police 

You can assist by:

  • Contacting friends, family, or close contacts 
  • Checking local hospitals or urgent care facilities
  • Searching the home or last known location 
  • Gathering basic details: full name, age, physical description, and clothing
  • Reviewing recent social media activity and communications

Information Police May Request

  • A recent photo of the person
  • Contact details of friends or relatives
  • Relevant social media or banking information
  • Medical information, including mental health
  • With a relative’s permission, police may also ask to search the person’s home.

In more serious cases, police may request a DNA sample (for example, from a toothbrush or hairbrush, or, in some cases, from a family member). For more information, visit:  https://rcmp.ca/en/missing-persons/about-national-missing-persons-dna-program

It is important to provide accurate information. Knowingly filing a false report is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. 

Report a Missing Person

According to the Missing Persons Act, 2018, a person is a missing person for the purposes of this Act if both of the following circumstances exist with respect to the person:

  1. The person’s whereabouts are unknown and,
    • the person has not been in contact with people who would likely be in contact with the person, or
    • it is reasonable in the circumstances to fear for the person’s safety because of the circumstances surrounding the person’s absence or because of any other prescribed considerations.
  2. A member of a police service is unable to locate the person after making reasonable efforts to do so

You do not need to wait 24 hours to report a missing person. However, unless it is an emergency, please make reasonable efforts to locate the person before contacting police. These steps help ensure police resources are used where they are most urgently needed.

  • If the missing person is under the age of 18, police will notify a parent or guardians of their whereabouts, unless there are concerns the child’s safety.
  • If the person is 18 or older, police will not share their location without their consent.

In some cases, police may issue a media release when other investigative leads have been exhausted. Once information is released publicly, it may remail accessible online and shared through search engines or social media. Police cannot control how this information is used or distributed after release.  

Some missing person investigations remain open for extended periods. Police continue to actively review these cases and follow up on new information as it becomes available. 

Families of missing persons often experience ambiguous loss, which can be extremely challenging emotionally and psychologically.  Support resources are available from the Canadian Centre for Information on Missing Adults. 

For existing investigations, follow-up information, or to speak with an investigator.

  • Primary: 905-540-8549
  • Secondary: 905-540-8547, 905-540-8548
  • Community Support Worker: 905-540-8546

To report a missing person.

  • Emergency: 9-1-1
  • Non-Emergency: 905-546-4925
  • Or attend any Hamilton Police Service station to make a missing person report.

Anonymous tips can also be provided through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at crimestopershamilton.com 

Latest Reports

Some missing person investigations remain open for extended periods. Police continue to actively review these cases and follow up on new information as it becomes available. 

To support families and the community, we provide information on unsolved missing persons cases dating back to 1972. If you have any information, please contact the investigators listed.

Help us bring answers and closure to families and loved ones.

Families of missing persons often experience ambiguous loss, which can be extremely challenging emotionally and psychologically. Resources are available here. 

Results: 22 Missing Persons
  • Cheryl Roberts

    Cheryl Roberts
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    25-739812

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Cheryl Roberts, who was 37 when her family reported her missing on September 5, 2025.

    At the time, Cheryl’s family had not seen her in person for several months. Although she had occasionally called them, those calls had stopped...

  • John Edwards

    John Edwards

    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    25-649779

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about John Edwards, who was 62 when he was reported missing from St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas on June 11, 2025.

    John lives with cognitive impairments similar to dementia. When he disappeared, he was not carrying a cell phone, money or identification.

    There...

  • Robert Otoole

    Robert O'Toole
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    24-583590

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Robert O’Toole, who was 31 when he was last seen on March 23, 2024, near Vine Street in downtown Hamilton.

    At the time he was reported missing, family and friends expressed concerns about Robert’s mental health and well-being. His...

  • Cavan Usher

    Cavan Usher
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    23-730636

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Cavan Usher, who was 38 when he was reported missing on August 11, 2023. There are concerns for his well-being.

    Cavan’s last known whereabouts were in the area of Melvin Avenue and Parkdale Avenue North in Hamilton.

    Description at...

  • Keenan Vanuk

    Keenan Vanuk
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    23-564049

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Keenan Nichole Venuk, who also goes by Cianain Nichole Venuk. Her family and police remain concerned for her well-being.

    Keenan was last seen by family on November 25, 2017, in Tillsonburg, Ontario. She was reported missing on...

  • Brandon Pollock

    Brandon Pollock
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    19-731737

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Brandon Pollock.

    On September 10, 2019, shortly after 4:00 a.m., Brandon’s mother heard him leave their home near Herkimer Street and Caroline Street in Hamilton. Early-morning walks were part of his routine, but he usually...

  • Rebecca Dorman

    Rebecca Dorman
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    19-596643

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Rebecca Dorman. There are ongoing concerns for her well-being.

    Rebecca was last seen leaving a residence near Mohawk Road East and Upper Wellington Street in Hamilton on April 20, 2019, at approximately 9:00 p.m. She is known to...

  • Ivica Batusic

    Ivica Batusic
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    14-770265

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Ivica Batusic.

    On September 6, 2014, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Ivica left Fifty Point Marina in his sailboat. He was expected to return by 8:00 p.m. but did not arrive.

    His wife contacted Trenton Marine Rescue. Members of the...

How to report a missing person?

Call 9-1-1 immediately if:

  • The situation involves an abduction, including parental abduction
  • There is an immediate danger to life
  • Someone is using or threatening violence 

If the situation is not an emergency, report the missing person by calling the Hamilton Police Service non-emergency line at 905-546-4925 or by attending any Hamilton Police Service station in person.

Missing person reports are not taken directly by the Missing Persons Investigation Unit. 

  1. Assess the urgency. 
    Call 9-1-1 for an abduction, immediate danger or threats of violence. There is no 24-hour waiting period.

  2. Check likely locations. 
    If it is not an emergency, contact friends, family and hospitals. Check the home, last known location and recent messages.

  3. Gather key details. 
    Prepare a recent photo, description, last known whereabouts and any health concerns. Missing information should not delay your report.

  4. Report to police. 
    Call 905-546-4925 or visit any Hamilton Police station. New reports are not taken directly by the Missing Persons Investigation Unit.

What to expect after reporting a missing person

  1. Follow-up questions. 
    Police may request photos, contact details, medical information and other details to help locate the person.

  2. An investigation. 
    Police will assess the circumstances and follow up on leads. In some cases, they may issue a public appeal for information.

  3. Privacy considerations when located. 
    Police generally notify a parent or guardian when a child is located, unless there are safety concerns. An adult’s location will not be shared without their consent.

Contact Missing Persons Unit

Call 905-546-4904 (24/7)

Other Contacts

Victim Services Branch 
(905)546-4904 (24/7)

 

Alzheimer Society of
Hamilton and
Halton (905)529-7030

 

Autism Ontario
(905)528-8476

 

Senior Support Officers
Central Station
(905) 546-4772

 

East End Station
(905) 546-2929

 

Mountain Station
(905) 546-4930

Non-Emergency Line

Call 905-546-4925

Missing Persons Annual Report

Under Ontario’s Missing Persons Act, 2018, police services are required to report annually on the use of urgent demands for records during missing persons investigations. 

 

2023

2024