Emergency? Call 911
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:
Information Police May Request
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.
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:
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.
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.
To report a missing person.
Anonymous tips can also be provided through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at crimestopershamilton.com
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.
Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Mark Edmonson.
Mark was last seen at his sister’s home in Hamilton on October 3, 1999, at approximately 9:30 p.m. He had previously spoken about going “on the road,” and investigators believe he may have left to travel.
Description...
Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Dana Zelic, who was 45 when she disappeared from her residence on August 30, 1999.
Dana left without medication, identification or personal belongings. She has not returned or contacted her family since, and efforts to locate her...
Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Phillip Mullen.
Phillip was last seen leaving his family home on October 4, 1998, at approximately 1:45 p.m. He drove to Niagara Falls and parked his vehicle in a Niagara Parks Authority parking lot.
Phillip lives with Parkinson’s...
Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Darcy Puddicomb, who was 57 when he disappeared.
On January 7, 1997, at approximately 7:15 a.m., Darcy left his home on Hamilton Mountain to walk to work. Information provided to investigators placed him at the 7-Eleven at Main...
Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the disappearance of William Ruthven, an experienced pilot and employee of Peninsula Air.
On February 24, 1994, William rented a single-engine Piper Cherokee 140 aircraft, identified as CGX GC, to take aerial photographs. The aircraft left Mount Hope...
Hamilton Police continue to seek information about the whereabouts of Walter G. Wilson, who was reported missing by his brother on December 30, 1981.
Walter last spoke with his daughter on December 23, 1981. She invited him to stay with her over the holidays, but he declined. When she later checked...
Call 9-1-1 immediately if:
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.
Assess the urgency.
Call 9-1-1 for an abduction, immediate danger or threats of violence. There is no 24-hour waiting period.
Check likely locations.
If it is not an emergency, contact friends, family and hospitals. Check the home, last known location and recent messages.
Gather key details.
Prepare a recent photo, description, last known whereabouts and any health concerns. Missing information should not delay your report.
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.
Call 905-546-4904 (24/7)
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
Call 905-546-4925
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.
