Family of Ontario Teen Seeks Clarity After Tragic Discovery

Jay’siiah Webb-Long lived in Brampton, Ont., but his body was discovered earlier this month in a northern Saskatchewan village almost 3,000 kilometres away.

The circumstances surrounding his presence in Pelican Narrows and how he arrived there remain unclear as his family mourns and seeks answers about what happened.

“He has no connection or relation to Saskatchewan, especially to Pelican Narrows, which is a remote community,” Shana Mc Calla, founder of Find Ontario Missing Boys, told the Star Phoenix.

Speaking for Webb-Long’s family, Mc Calla expressed that while they’re uncertain about how the teenager ended up in Pelican Narrows (part of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation), she suspects he was taken from his home in the Greater Toronto Area and brought to the village.

His remains were found during a planned search on May 13. His death is currently being treated as a homicide investigation.

Mc Calla criticized media reports suggesting Webb-Long was “living” in Pelican Narrows, calling it a “farce.”

“He’s a boy from Brampton Ontario, who lived with his mother and his family – his siblings – and someone nefarious removed him from his environment,” she stated.

The remains of 16-year-old Jay’siiah Webb-Long, who went missing from Ontario in 2025, were found on May 13 near Pelican Narrows in northern Saskatchewan. His death is being investigated as a homicide. Supplied Photo/Saskatchewan RCMP /Saskatchewan RCMP

Search and investigation

Mc Calla reported that Webb-Long’s family first attempted to file a missing person report on March 27, 2025 with Peel Regional Police. She mentioned they faced challenges submitting the report since his mother had been communicating with him via social media. According to RCMP, the last contact with him was on May 16, 2025.

Mc Calla said Shenice Long, Webb-Long’s mother, only exchanged messages with him a few times and received very little information.

The delay in reporting is something Mc Calla believes had serious consequences; she claims police “dropped the ball.”

“Maybe they could have found him before he was able to be removed from the province,” she noted.

The Peel Regional Police stated via email that once Webb-Long was reported missing, officers quickly began engaging with his family members, friends and associates.

The statement mentioned that the Ontario police worked alongside RCMP when it became clear that Webb-Long was located in Saskatchewan.

“Sadly, the outcome was not what anyone had hoped for,” read the statement.

Peel police directed specific inquiries regarding the homicide investigation to Saskatchewan RCMP. They indicated they couldn’t share further details due to it being in its “preliminary” stages.

A sign welcoming visitors arriving at Pelican Narrows. The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation community is seeking help to address issues related to violent crime. Michael Joel-Hansen /

Larger issue at hand

Mc Calla pointed out that Webb-Long’s disappearance highlights broader concerns within the Greater Toronto Area where young Black boys are often targeted by individuals pretending to be friends or mentors who gain their trust by giving them gifts like shoes and clothes that their parents may not afford.

This gifting can lead to forms of “debt bondage” used for manipulation and control through threats.

“Now you owe me ‘X’ amount of money and how do you plan to pay that off?” Mc Calla explained.

As part of her advocacy work, she shared how she’s traveled alongside families throughout Ontario trying to find children taken under such circumstances.

DURING these journeys she observed many kids tracked down at homes associated with drug activity while describing those environments as “filthy.”

“The smell is one thing I cannot get over because my clothes reeked for days after that; I had to wash them and take a long shower.”

She believes those luring these children are part of “sophisticated criminal organizations” also involved in drug trafficking into communities like Pelican Narrows.

“Unfortunately they’re being targeted as well.”

A call for assistance

The tragic passing of Webb-Long has led leaders from Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) to seek assistance against increasing violence within their community.

A few days after discovering Jay’s remains on May 21; RCMP responded to an incident at a residence in Pelican Narrows where they found Jaden Custer dead at age 26. A suspect aged 31 was later arrested in Edmonton facing second-degree murder charges.

PBCN released a statement on May 22 saying these two deaths have heightened fear among residents of Pelican Narrows-who have also been experiencing drive-by shootings along with incidents involving bear spray and Molotov cocktails thrown into homes.

PBCN Chief Peter Beatty remarked about how unusual this situation is:

“Pelican Narrows is grieving. Families are afraid. Children are growing up around violence that no child should have to see,”
he stated through their release.
Pelican Narrows together with PBCN communities like Deschambault Lake and Sandy Bay rank within Canada’s top fifteen areas for police service calls concerning violent crime per capita.
PBCN along with other First Nations communities request enhanced policing resources plus additional support focused on addiction treatment and mental health services.
PBCN specifically asks for upgrades regarding cellular coverage enabling better communication.
The provincial government affirmed it’s collaborating with RCMP towards addressing staff shortages while mentioning an advertising initiative aimed at promoting law enforcement careers across Canada.
The government also highlighted an investment totaling $1.3 million intended for expanding First Nation Community Safety Officer Program-a collaboration between local authorities plus federal support.
Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte representing Prince Albert Grand Council remarked upon systemic failures impacting conditions observed throughout Northern Saskatchewan-adding criminals exploit these vulnerabilities:
“Organized crime and drug trafficking networks are exploiting communities that already face geographic isolation; limited services; chronic underfunding,”
A memorial display honoring individuals who’ve gone missing or suffered violence hangs inside Wapanacak Elementary School gymnasium during its exhibition held throughout 2023. Michael Joel-Hansen /

Saying farewell

Family members of Webb – Long aren’t doing well , according to Mc Calla , who accompanied them when notified about finding his body.

She described how the teen belonged to an extensive family , serving as both an older brother and best friend   to one cousin.

“Unfortunately , they’re now planning his funeral when they were holding onto hope he would return home safely.”

In order to assist covering funeral expenses along with related costs , relatives started up Go Fund Me campaign. In its description , they emphasized he was deeply loved by everyone around him including friends & family.

-with contributions made by Nicole Goldsworthy through Local Journalism Initiative

-Editor ’ s note : This article underwent modifications dated May29th clarifying issues experienced reporting Jay ’ siiah Webb – Longmissing case towards Peel Regional Police basedin Ontario.

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