Search Continues for Missing Thunder Bay Man

Destiny Rae says she won’t leave Thunder Bay, Ont., until she finds her partner, Kelsey Anderson, who was last seen in the northwestern Ontario city nearly two weeks ago.

Anderson was last spotted on May 9 at Old Navy in the Thunder Centre shopping area and has not been heard from since. His family states it’s not like him to disappear without contact, and they’re growing more worried about his safety.

A large group gathered at a news conference on Thursday regarding Anderson’s disappearance. His family talked about the mental health struggles he’s been facing, including mourning the loss of his cousin who was tragically killed by a train in the city at the end of April.

“He thought no one cared for him. He was hurting,” Rae said through tears. “He really believed himself, even when I said everyone loved him and cared for him.”

Kelsey Anderson, 36, is described as a five-foot-nine Indigenous man with a slim build, brown eyes, black hair and a goatee-style beard. He was last seen wearing a black and grey baseball cap, a tan hoodie, black pants, and white and grey sneakers. (Thunder Bay Police Service)

Anderson turned 36 after being reported missing; he grew up in Kasabonika Lake First Nation and belongs to Webequie First Nation, a remote Ojibway community located about 550 kilometers north of Thunder Bay. He also has connections to Nibinamik First Nation and was in Thunder Bay for a training program.

“This is an incredibly tough time for Kelsey’s family as well as the communities of Webequie, Nibinamik and Kasabonika,” Webequie’s Chief Lorraine Whitehead stated.

“In a close-knit First Nation community like ours, when someone goes missing, it affects us all.”

Webequie First Nation’s Chief Lorraine Whitehead says close-knit communities like hers are hit hard when a member goes missing. (Sarah Law/CBC)

Members from several nearby First Nations in northwestern Ontario as well as Manitoba have come to assist with search efforts. Guardian Migizi Security, an Indigenous-led organization that supports First Nations during emergencies, is also providing help.

Anderson’s disappearance follows just weeks after 23-year-old Ashlynn Bottle and 25-year-old Nodin Skunk from Mishkeegogamang First Nation were reported missing in Thunder Bay.

The pair were last seen together on April 26 at the old Pool 8 grain elevator on the city’s south side. On Friday evening, the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) announced they are “no longer the subject of a missing persons investigation.”

Many friends and family members shared their condolences widely on social media.

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa, left, and Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler attend Thursday’s news conference about missing man Kelsey Anderson in Thunder Bay, Ont. (Sarah Law/CBC)

“It’s really quite troubling actually that this has become such a regular occurrence where family after family is out there week after week searching for someone they love,” said Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN).

NAN represents 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5 and has long advocated for better support to prevent members from going missing in Thunder Bay.

This issue has persisted for decades as highlighted by the Seven Youth Inquest which looked into the deaths of seven youth from First Nations between 2000 and 2011.

“I wish we had better systems for conducting these searches,” Fiddler expressed.

“I think soon we’ll request a meeting with city officials and police so we can discuss what’s happening here along with how we can work together better as a community.”

‘I feel lost without my nephew’

Anderson is described as a five-foot-nine Indigenous man with a slim build; he has brown eyes, black hair and wears a goatee-style beard. The last time anyone saw him he had on a black-and-grey baseball cap alongside tan hoodie jeans along with white-and-grey sneakers.

His uncle Johnny Yellowhead mentioned that Anderson went missing briefly last year before getting back in touch with his family.

“I feel lost without my nephew,” Yellowhead shared emotionally.” I want him to know he’s loved , and I hope he reaches out.”A missing persons poster is seen at Boulevard Lake in Thunder Bay , Ont., showing information about Kelsey Anderson.(Sarah Law/CBC)

A crowd member asked TBPS’s Jeff Saunders about recent cases of people going missing; he noted that “the service deals with over800missingpeople each year”.

“For Kelsey’s case , we’ve traced his final cellphone pings along with transactions placing him around Thunder Centre on May9. His cellphone hasn’t been active since then meaning it could be dead or switched off”said Saunders.

“We’re currently working on obtaining more video footage from local businesses,” Saunders added.”We’re also following up interviews involving family members alongwith friends”.

“Search teams have covered significant ground including areas near Thunder Centre , the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre , Algoma Street , the marina, and homeless encampments” accordingto Jack Mc Kayof Guardian Migizi Security.

“We urge everyone publically check their cameras or properties -like garages-and let us know right away if you find anything ,”Mc Kay requested.

A Facebook page titled “Help Us Find Kelsey Anderson” had over300membersat publication time.

The TBPSencourages anyone having information relatedto Anderson’s whereabouts should contact themat807-684-1200or submit tips anonymouslythrough Crime Stoppersat1-800-222-8477orwww. p3tips. com.

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