BURSTTerrace RCMP are continuing their investigation into the disappearance of 69-year-old Noel Ross Grant of Lower Thornhill, who was last reported as being seen on Feb. 6, 2026.
Two extensive searches by Terrace Search and Rescue, bolstered by search-and-rescue teams from around the region, failed to find any trace of Grant. The of these was conducted between Feb. 13 and 16, while the second took place from Feb. 20-22, in the Lower Thornhill area.
Terrace RCMP received the first report that Grant was missing at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, and were told he was last seen on foot leaving his residence around Muller Avenue at 10:30 a.m. the same day.
“Police started an investigation, and through inquiries located individuals who had claimed to have seen or been in contact with the missing over the weekend,” said Terrace RCMP Constable Kelly Cates.
“Due to lifestyle and addiction issues of these witnesses, it was not until a few days later that it was determined the information was erroneous, and the sightings were not after he was reported missing.”
RCMP released their first request for information on Grant on Monday, Feb. 9, describing him as an Indigenous man, 5’, 8” tall, weighing 161 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. He was wearing a black jacket with a fur hood, blue boots, and aviator glasses.
A second release followed on Thursday, Feb. 12, this time with police saying he may have been headed to the Skeena River, but that his route of travel was unknown.
Officers also asked for CCTV and dash cam footage of the Lower Thornhill area from Feb. 6 onward to determine if Grant could be seen walking, and ascertain his direction of travel.
Family members of Grant also took to social media, asking residents of the Thornhill area to check their properties and outbuildings.
Cates said one sighting was deemed credible, resulting in Terrace Search and Rescue team members embarking on a search with the assistance of teams from Prince Rupert, Kitimat, and Houston.
A social media post from Terrace Search and Rescue as of Feb. 16, indicated its members, as well as teams from Houston, Kitimat and Prince Rupert, covered a 1,100 metre radius from the last known sighting.
In all, 480 person hours were spent over 41 search assignments, taking in wooded areas, industrial sites, creeks and drainages.
Cates said it was unusual for police to ask for the assistance of search and rescue when the missing person was last believed to be in an urban area.
“For search and rescue to be activated, a confirmed last known location and direction of travel are required in order to establish an area to be searched, and that area needs to be searchable by search and rescue (i.e. they are not authorized to search private property). Once these criteria were met, search and rescue was activated in the case of Mr. Grant,” Cates continued.
Police have now repeated the request for CCTV and dash cam footage. They have also asked that Lower Thornhill residents again check outbuildings where a person might hide or seek shelter from the elements.
In 2025, the Terrace RCMP responded to 154 missing person complaints.
“The majority of these persons were located within 48 hours of being reported missing through police inquiries and investigation,” said Cates.