Remembering Canada’s Missing: Stories from Every Province and Territory Series

This post marks the beginning of a series where I will highlight the long-term missing children from each province and territory, starting with Newfoundland and Labrador. In this post, I’ll share the key details about the 7 children missing from this province to raise awareness and keep their stories alive.

Because there are so many cases to cover, it will take time to research and write more in-depth profiles for each child. Those longer posts will come in the future, but for now, this series is about getting their names out there and reminding everyone that these children have not been forgotten.

Please join me in sharing these stories. Awareness is one of the most powerful tools we have to help bring them home.

The O'Brien Brothers - Adam 14, Trevor, 11, and Mitchell, 4 - missing from Torbay - 9 November 1996

Newfoundland and Labrador’s most well-known missing children’s case is that of brothers Adam, Trevor, and Mitchell O’Brien.

On November 9, 1996 the three brothers were allegedly abducted by their father, Gary O’Brien, during a scheduled visitation. Instead of bringing the boys back to their mother, Diana, Gary told her over the phone that he was not bringing the boys back and that she would know what it was like to celebrate her 40^th birthday without them.

Gary still lived in the family home. When police arrived there, they discovered two 400lb propane tanks that were rigged to explode.

In 1997, a car engine was located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Flatrock's Cliff in Red Head Cove, 10 kilometers from where the boys went missing. A serial number on the engine confirmed it was from a 1989 Ford Tempo registered to Gary O’Brien. Diana believes it was a diversion and that her boys are still alive, being kept somewhere by their father.

In 1998, a woman from Thunder Bay, Ontario claimed to have babysat the boys for Gary. She knew details about the boys and their family that were never publicized. Police have deemed this tip credible, but have never been able to locate the woman to identify her or obtain additional information.

The boys' mother runs a Facebook group called Help find Adam, Trevor, and Mitchell O'Brien

If you have information on this case, please contact any of the following:

1. St. John's RNC 709-729-8000Reference Case#: 96-30299

2. Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or online at https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tipCrime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping

3. Send email to the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains at: canadasmissing-disparuscanada@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Sharon Drover, 17 - missing from St. John's - 28 December 1978

On December 28, 1978, Sharon Drover left her boarding house located at 9 Livingstone Street, headed for the McDonald's restaurant on Kenmount Road to collect a paycheque and work a shift. Police have confirmed Sharon collected the cheque but it was never cashed. Unfortunately Sharon was not reported missing for 46 days.

Once police were called, investigators were left believing she intended to hitchhike back to the boarding house, but was killed. In the 1990s two brothers came forward, claiming that they did pick up Sharon, but dropped her off on the corner of Long's Hill and Livingstone Street some time after 2 a.m. on December 29, shortly after she would have finished her shift at McDonald's. New suspicions were raised about the boarding house.

If you have information on this case, please contact any of the following:

1. St. John's RNC contactrnc@rnc.gov.nl.caReference Case#: 79-01025

2. Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or online at https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tipCrime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping

3. Send email to the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains at: canadasmissing-disparuscanada@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Alexander Whitehorne, 17 - missing from Pasadena - 11 October 1964

Alex Whitehorne left his grandparents' house in Pasadena to hitchhike to CornerBrook, Newfoundland to purchase a new pair of shoes. He was last seen getting into a dark coloured car, possibly blue or black. He was never seen or heard from again.

It is possible Alex went missing on 10 October as he had a date that day that he did not show up for. There are many rumours surrounding his disappearance. One scenario is that he was confronted by a group of people over a girl, and physically assaulted, and was accidentally killed during the altercation. Many people have shared their theories with family members but refuse to go to the police out of fear of retaliation from those involved.

His case reminds me of the disappearance of Kenley Matheson from Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The official date given for his disappearance is 21 September but it is likely he disappeared on 20 September. The leading theory regarding Kenley's disappearance is that he was confronted by one or more people over a girl, assaulted, and accidentally or intentionally killed.

Read: The Disappearance of Kenley Matheson

If you have information on this case, please contact any of the following:

1. RCMP Major Crimes Unit CornerBrook: (709) 637-4468

2. Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or online at https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tipCrime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping

3. Send email to the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains at: canadasmissing-disparuscanada@rcmp-grc.gc.

Stella Mary Rich, 4 - missing from North River - 10 April 1976

On April 10th, 1976, at approximately 3:00 am, a snowmobile carrying two adults and a young child, went through harbor ice at North West River, Newfoundland and Labrador. The young child, Stella Mary Rich, was swept under the ice after falling off the snowmobile when it struck a soft spot in the ice. Her body has never been located and it is presumed she drowned. The names of the two adults are not listed along with her so it is unknown if they survived or drowned. If drowned, their bodies must have been recovered. No photo of Stella is available.

If you have information on this case, please contact any of the following:

1. Sheshatshiu RCMP 709-497-8700Reference Case#: 2015261238

2. Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or online at https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tipCrime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping

3. Send email to the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains at: canadasmissing-disparuscanada@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

George Myrick, 17 - missing from St. Schott's - 16 March 1987

George Myrick was last seen on March 16, 1987, when he went duck hunting with his father, Michael Myrick, 40, and Michael's brother-in-law, Philip Finlay, 40. The men were all from St. Schott's, Newfoundland. They set off from Cape Pine to hunt ducks near shore. On March 18, their boat was found overturned at the end of St. Mary's Bay, 3 kilometers off the south coast of the Avalon Peninsula. Debris, such as a lifejacket and duck decoys were also found. I assume the bodies of both Michael and Philip were recovered as they are not listed on Canada's Missing website - only George is listed - and they are not listed as associated cases either. No photo of George is available.

If you have information on this case, please contact any of the following:

1. Ferryland RCMPReference Case#: 87-0166A

2. Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or online at https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tipCrime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping

3. Send email to the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains at: canadasmissing-disparuscanada@rcmp-grc.gc.ca