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
  • Othman Marif

    Othman Marif
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    11-755535

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Othman Marif, who was reported missing on October 27, 2011.

    Othman was last seen by his wife at their Hamilton residence between approximately 11:00 p.m. on October 19 and midnight. He is believed to have left on foot.

    Othman...

  • Jocelyn Lacroix

    Jocelyn Lacroix
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    10-257566

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Jocelyn Lacroix.

    Jocelyn was last seen on June 24, 2010, when a friend dropped him off at a medical clinic to pick up a prescription. The clinic confirmed he attended that day but missed his next appointment on July 13, 2010.

    A...

  • Michael Gagich

    Michael "Steve" Gagich
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    09-291344

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Michael Steven Gagich.

    Michael left his residence at approximately 8:00 a.m. on September 6, 2009, leaving a note for his parents indicating he was going away for the weekend.

    On September 8, 2009, at approximately 7:15 p.m., a...

  • Jeffrey Dekelyn

    Jeffrey Dekleyn
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    92-098104

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Jeffrey Dekleyn.

    He was last seen on bank surveillance footage withdrawing money from an ATM at the Royal Bank at Main Street and Whitney Avenue in Hamilton on December 3, 1992, at approximately 1:35 p.m.

    His family reported...

  • Missing Person title

    John Saulitis
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    10-120666

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of John Saulitis.

    John left his family home on June 22, 2006, and has not been seen or heard from since. An outdoorsman, he would often spend weeks in the wilderness, living off the land without notifying his family of his plans.

    His...

  • Roy Taylor

    Roy "George" Taylor
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    04-467847

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Roy “George” Taylor.

    Roy was last seen at his Stoney Creek residence on the evening of April 2, 2004. His wife immediately reported him missing because his disappearance was out of character.

    His home was adjacent to the Bruce Trail...

  • Missing Person title

    Diane Yates
    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    02-511450

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Diane Yates, who has been missing from her family home since October 28, 2002.

    That day, a visitor found Diane’s glasses and purse near the edge of the Niagara River in Niagara Falls.

    Diane had experienced significant mental health...

  • Susan Gourley

    Susan Yvonne Gourley

    Missing Since:
    Case Number:
    02-336330

    Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Susan Yvonne Gourley.

    Susan was last seen in early November 2001 near Barton Street and Stirton Avenue in Hamilton. Her mother reported her missing on February 28, 2002, after an unusually long period without contact.

    Although Susan...

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. 

 

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