BURSTThe mother of missing Victoria teen Joshua Gates is renewing her appeal to residents of Terrace, Kitimat and surrounding communities for information about her son, who has not been seen or heard from by his family since July.
Joshua Gates, 16, was previously reported to have been in Terrace on July 14, but no later sighting in northern B.C. has been confirmed. His mother, Amanda Gates, says the family is still hoping someone in the region may have information that could help locate him.
“We are living every parent’s worst nightmare,” Amanda Gates wrote in a social media post. “Every day without knowing where Josh is, whether he is safe, whether he is warm, whether he has eaten, or whether he knows how deeply he is loved is a heartbreak that is impossible to put into words.”
Terrace RCMP concluded its part of the investigation Aug. 20 after receiving no new information suggesting Joshua Gates remained in the region. The case was returned to the Victoria Police Department, where it remains active under file 26-28591.
His family is continuing to ask people in the Terrace-Kitimat area to watch for him and report any information that could help establish where he has been since July.
Joshua Gates is described as five-foot-10 and approximately 141 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Police previously said he might be associated with a blue Honda Civic bearing B.C. licence plate A53 7SM.
Amanda Gates told Black Press Media the family has continued searching, calling and messaging people while following directions from police and other services involved in the case.
“We are scared to death because he hasn’t been seen anywhere at all. We almost have nothing to go off and we are really needing the public’s help,” she said, adding her son is a high-risk youth. His connection to the northwest is unclear but his mother heard he may have travelled here after his disappearance.
“I would just want people to know that Josh is still only 16 years old. We are incredibly worried about his safety and we need to know he’s OK. No one has heard from him or seen him. He has a family that loves and misses him. We will never stop searching for him.”
Joshua Gates was initially believed to be travelling with Jahmai Nathan Joe. Joe was found safe in July, reported missing again Aug. 14 and has since been located safe and well, according to Oak Bay police.