THUNDER BAY – Community search efforts are continuing to try to find Josiah Begg nearly a week after the 14-year-old was last seen.
The Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation teen has been missing since last Saturday when he was last seen around 10 p.m. near the Vale Community Centre. He is described as having a slim build, standing 5’8” in height and weighing about 130 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red baseball cap, red hoody and grey and white sweatpants.
His family issued a statement Friday afternoon thanking those who have assisted with the search.
“Josiah is a good person and we miss him dearly. He is outgoing, helpful and has always tried his best. We want him to know that we need him back and we want him to come home,” the statement reads.
The disappearance has been hard on the family, the statement adds.
Earlier this week Nishnawbe Aski Nation established a search headquarters at the Econo Lodge on Memorial Avenue and has initiated a Bear Clan and citizens search. The family is also asking more people to come forward to help volunteer with the search.
“We know it has been difficult, but we need all the help we can get. Every bit of information helps, and we implore anyone with any information to come forward,” the statement reads.
Thunder Bay Police Service officers have been searching last known locations for Begg, including utilizing a boat in the McIntyre River from Lake Superior to Confederation College to help scan the shoreline.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Hughes said police conducted through ground searches throughout the Northwood area, including the Vale Community Centre, Kinsmen Youth Centre, Chapples Golf Course area and door-to-door knocking in the Limbrick area over the last couple of days.
“Investigators are speaking to a few more witnesses who were possibly with Josiah,” Hughes said. “We have some locations where there’s possibly video, where hopefully on video we’ll see another starting point.”
Hughes said Begg was staying with his father before going out with friends. Investigators are trying to backtrack with those friends to establish his last known location.
“We want to find him successfully and I know the community where he’s from, we’re in contact with them daily,” Hughes said. “Are there safety concerns? Always when a 14-year-old who’s not from the city is missing.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Thunder Bay Police at (807) 684-1200, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the NAN Search Headquarters at (807) 630-1984.
