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Missing Persons
Tanya Johnson
Date reported missing: August 28, 2023
Missing from: Torbay, NL
Age at the time of disappearance: 48 years
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Tanya Johnson was reported missing by family members after they were alerted that Johnson had not shown up to work on August 28, 2023. Johnson was last seen on August 27, 2023.
It is believed Johnson left her home on Torbay Road on foot shortly after 3:30 p.m., walking south in the area of Windgap Road, on August 27. There were no further sightings of Johnson. An exhaustive search of the region and investigation of cell phone location failed to yield additional information.
Johnson is described as being approximately 5’4”, 150 lbs. She was last seen wearing a blue plaid button up blouse, light blue jeans, and was carrying a beige handbag. She has short brown hair that was pinned back at the time and brown eyes.
Apu Akbar
Date Reported Missing: November 8, 2018
Missing From: Torbay, NL
Age At The Time Of Disappearance: 58 years
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On November 8, 2018, residents living in the area of Kavanagh’s Lane and Windgap Road, Flatrock, NL called police to report a vehicle, a grey Honda Civic, which appeared to have been abandoned in the area. In speaking with residents, police learned that a male was observed standing by the car on November 6, 2018, looking at the ocean. Nobody had been seen by the car since that time. A search of the car showed that Apu was the registered owner. Apu had left his cell phone in the car and the keys to the car were still in the ignition. A search of the water and nearby coastlines was conducted however, Apu was not located. Police also spoke with Apu’s roommates who confirmed that they had last seen Apu on November 6, 2018 at his home in St. John’s, NL. Apu is originally from Bangladesh and is described as being, 5’1, 143 lbs, with grey hair, black eyes and glasses.
Date Reported Missing: September 23, 2018
Missing From: Torbay, NL
Age At The Time Of Disappearance: 64 years
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Melvin was last seen on September 23, 2018 at his home in Torbay, NL at approximately 11 a.m. At that time, Melvin advised family that he was going for a drive, which was not unusual for him, however, he never returned home. His family reported him missing later that same day. Melvin’s blue pick-up truck was located abandoned on the MV Legionnaire (one of the ferries that operates between Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s and Bell Island, NL). A review of surveillance video on the ferry shows Melvin walking around the lounge area of the ferry during the 1:45 p.m. crossing. He was last observed on the video between 1:50 p.m. to 1:57 p.m., while the ferry was mid-way between Bell Island and Portugal Cove. Melvin was not observed walking off of the ferry. Melvin was last seen wearing jeans, a blue windbreaker jacket, t-shirt and glasses. A search of the water and nearby coastlines was conducted however, Melvin was not located. Melvin is described as being Caucasian, 5’8, 170 lbs, with brown hair, green eyes and glasses.
Cortney Lake
Date reported missing: June 7, 2017
Missing from: Mt. Pearl, NL
Age at the time of Disappearance: 24 years
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Cortney Lake was last seen in St. John’s, NL on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. She is described as being 5’8” and 110-120lbs with light brown hair. Courtney Lake was last seen wearing a grey hooded parka with a pink hoody and pink and white plaid shirt and black pants and glasses. Video stills obtained from Esso on Elizabeth Ave in St. John’s show Cortney Lake hours before she went missing. This is one of the last known visuals police have of her.
David Howlett
Date Reported Missing: December 3, 2015
Missing From: Paradise, NL
Age at time of Disappearance: 45 years
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David Howlett was reported missing from his home in Paradise, NL on December 3, 2015. David was reported missing by a family member who had last seen him on that same date. David’s car was located in the area of Cape Spear but David has not been seen since. There was a search conducted in this area over the following days but there was no sign of David. David was described as being 5’11”, slim build about 180lbs, short white hair, glasses, blue eyes, and fair skin with freckles. David was possibly wearing a camouflage jacket and green rubber boots when he went missing.
Jessica Heppner
Date Reported Missing: May 29, 2015
Missing From: St. John’s, NL
Age at time of Disappearance: 21 years
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Jessica Heppner was reported missing from St. John’s, NL on May 29, 2015. She was reported missing by a friend and travelling companion three days after she was last seen, which was in the area of Topsail Rd, Paradise, NL. Jessica Heppner is originally from Ontario and while visiting St. John’s was staying at the Sheraton Hotel, but she did not return to the hotel to retrieve her personal belongings. She was known to utilize taxi cabs as her mode of transportation. Jessica Heppner is described as 5’9”, 160 lbs, with long blonde hair and green eyes.
Date Reported Missing: November 21, 2014
Missing From: St. John’s, NL
Age at time of Disappearance: 32 years
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Aaron Dragonetti was reported missing from St. John’s, NL on November 21, 2014 by a family member for outside the province. Aaron Dragonetti was last seen in the area of Southside Rd, St. John’s and is described as being approximately 5’10”, 180 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes.
Terry Gladney
Date reported missing: February 23, 2008
Missing from: Portugal Cove, NL
Age at time of Disappearance: 49 years
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Terry Gladney was last seen at 1 a.m. on February 20, 2008 when he was dropped off near the Beach House Room and Suites in Portugal Cove. He is described as 5’1”, 110 lbs with green eyes and short black hair. When he went missing Terry Gladney was seen wearing blue jeans, a navy blue waist-length winter coat with purple on the sides and off-white winter boots with fur around the top.
Date Reported Missing: October 25th, 2006
Missing From: St. John’s, NL
Age at time of Disappearance: 25 years
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Daniel Pickett was a fisherman who was working on a vessel that had been tied up at the small boat basin in Fort Amherst, in St. John’s, NL. Daniel had gone out with crew members to the George Street bar district and was last seen between 10-11 p.m. on 2006-10-24. Daniel never returned to the vessel that night and missed his ride to Clarenville the next day at 1 p.m. Daniel is described as 5’7″, 150 lbs with blue eyes and blonde hair. He was said to have been in good mental and physical condition when last seen.
Date Reported Missing: July 23, 1998
Missing From: St. John’s, NL
Age at time of Disappearance: 48 years
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Kevin Dillon was reported missing from St. John’s, NL by a family member on July 23, 1998. On July 17, 1998 items were found on a cliff in Middle Cove and identified as belonging to Kevin Dillon. On July 24, 1998 Kevin’s car was located on Middle Cove Beach along with his wallet, keys, and glasses. Kevin is described as 5’4”, 120lbs, with short brown hair and blue eyes.
Date Reported Missing: September 8, 1997
Missing From: St. John’s, NL
Age at time of disappearance: 44 years
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Gordon Mertz (1953/01/23) was reported missing on Monday, September 8, 1997 by a co-worker. Mr. Mertz was last confirmed as being seen at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) at White Hills, where he worked as a Fisheries Scientist, on Friday, September 5, 1997. Records show that he logged off his computer and left the building shortly after 5:15 p.m.
D.O.B: October 28th, 1982
Height/Weight: 5’0″ (152 cm), 99lbs (45kg)
Description: White Male, brown hair, blue eyes
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On November 9, 1996, Adam, Mitchell, and Trevor O’Brien were abducted by their father Gary Joseph O’Brien. O’Brien failed to return the three children to their mother and rigged their family home in Torbay to explode. Neither Gary nor the three children have been seen since. An extensive an ongoing investigation which has expanded borders has identified numerous leads which have been investigated, however their whereabouts are still unknown. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have age enhanced photos on their website. Their abduction has been featured on “Americas Most Wanted” and “The Montel Williams Show”.
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Suspect: Gary Joseph O’Brien
D.O.B: October 17th, 1956
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 132lbs
Description: White Male, Grey Hair, Blue Eyes
D.O.B: November 29th, 1991
Height/Weight: 3’0″ (91cm), 46lbs (21kg)
Description: White Male, brown hair, brown eyes
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On November 9, 1996, Adam, Mitchell, and Trevor O’Brien were abducted by their father Gary Joseph O’Brien. O’Brien failed to return the three children to their mother and rigged their family home in Torbay to explode. Neither Gary nor the three children have been seen since. An extensive an ongoing investigation which has expanded borders has identified numerous leads which have been investigated, however their whereabouts are still unknown. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have age enhanced photos on their website. Their abduction has been featured on “Americas Most Wanted” and “The Montel Williams Show”.
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Suspect: Gary Joseph O’Brien
D.O.B: October 17th, 1956
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 132lbs
Description: White Male, Grey Hair, Blue Eyes
D.O.B: May 8th, 1985
Height/Weight: 4’8″ (142 cm), 70lbs (32 kg)
Description: White Male, brown hair, blue eyes
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On November 9, 1996, Adam, Mitchell, and Trevor O’Brien were abducted by their father Gary Joseph O’Brien. O’Brien failed to return the three children to their mother and rigged their family home in Torbay to explode. Neither Gary nor the three children have been seen since. An extensive an ongoing investigation which has expanded borders has identified numerous leads which have been investigated, however their whereabouts are still unknown. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have age enhanced photos on their website. Their abduction has been featured on “Americas Most Wanted” and “The Montel Williams Show”.
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Suspect: Gary Joseph O’Brien
D.O.B: October 17th, 1956
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 132lbs
Description: White Male, Grey Hair, Blue Eyes
Date Reported Missing: November 1st, 1996
Missing From: St. John’s, NL
Age at time of Disappearance: 27 years
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Mr. Kang arrived in Canada from Korea and vanished while visiting a friend in St. John’s, NL on November 1, 1996 after only one week in the city. Kang was an experienced rock climber who had been climbing in the area of Kelly Island and Signal Hill in the days leading up to his disappearance. Kang was a paratrooper, martial arts expert and an experienced rock climber. His personal belongings were left at his apartment. Kang had been studying at Toronto Hansaw Language school and was a past member of the Korean Forces.
Date reported missing: February 18, 1991
Missing From: St. John’s, NL
Age at time of disappearance: 31 years
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On Feb. 18, 1991 at around 0900-0930 hrs, Anthony Joseph Green (1959/12/02) was last seen at his residence of 115 Ricketts Rd, St. John’s, NL.
Mr. Green is described as 5’7”, 150 lbs with short brown hair and blue eyes and he sometimes wears glasses. He was last seen wearing a blue waist length parka with a hood, dark blue knitted hat, black cords, light shirt and black winter boots. He also may have had a red rain suit with him.
Mr. Green had hitch-hiked to California prior to him going missing; however there was no confirmed sightings of him after he left his residence on Feb. 18, 1991.
Date Reported Missing: September 3, 1990
Missing From: Wabush, NL
Age at time of Disappearance: 28 years
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Nicholas Leonard was reported missing from Wabush, NL on September 3, 1990. He was reported missing by a friend after he failed to return from a trip to a cabin located at Lower Loon Lake, Wabush, NL. Nicholas Leonard had last been seen by acquaintances on the afternoon of September 1, 1990, rowing a homemade kayak towards the North end of Lower Loon Lake. An extensive search by air, land and water was conducted and Nicholas Leonard’s remains were never located. Some of Nicholas Leonard’s family members believe that he may still be alive. Nicholas Leonard is described as 5’7, 141 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Date Reported Missing: November 12th, 1984
Missing From: St. John’s, NL
Age at time of Disappearance: 20 years
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Pamela Asprey went missing from St. John’s, NL on November 12, 1984. Asprey was reported missing by her roommate two days after last seen alive. Asprey was known to frequent the Duckworth Street area of St. John’s and was last seen getting into a vehicle near the War Memorial. The male operator of this vehicle was described as having a large build and wore a baseball hat. Asprey had left her wallet with a friend at a nearby bar advising that she would return in 20 minutes, she was never seen again.
Date Reported Missing: December 10th, 1982
Missing From: St. John’s, NL
Age at time of Disappearance: 25 years
Henrietta Millek was originally from Nain, NL but had been living in St. John’s for some time prior to her disappearance. She was known to frequent clubs in the downtown area one of which was the Key Club. After her disappearance numerous persons were interviewed and it is believed that on the night of her disappearance she had been having trouble with at least two men at the club and may have left the club against her will. Her keys and purse along with other belongings were found at the club. Millek did not return for her personal belongings and was never seen again.
Date Reported Missing: July 31, 1981
Missing From: Border of Newfoundland and Labrador and Schefferville, Quebec
Age at time of Disappearance: 23 years
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Daniel MacKenzie was reported missing from the border of Newfoundland and Labrador and Schefferville, Quebec by his family on July 31, 1981. He had attended the area of Lake Huston with his wife and friends. As they were being conveyed home in a taxi cab Daniel MacKenzie fled from the taxi cab into the wooded area on foot and was never seen again. An extensive search of the area was conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Quebec Provincial Police, and individuals from the Matimekosk Reserve, but he was never located. Daniel MacKenzie is described as 5’9, 175lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.
Date Reported Missing: December 29, 1978
Missing From: St. John’s, NL
Age at time of Disappearance: 17 years
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Sharon Drover was last seen on December 29, 1978. Drover left her boarding house on Livingstone Street in downtown St. John’s, NL to go to work the evening shift at McDonald’s on Kenmount Road. She completed her shift after midnight and it is believed that she intended to hitchhike home. Following publicity in the 1990’s two brothers came forward stating that on December 29, 1978 they picked up a female hitchhiker on Kenmount Road and dropped her off on Long’s Hill adjacent to the apartment she was residing at. They believe this was Sharon Drover. After exiting their vehicle the young woman spoke to some people near the front door of her apartment. They had the impression that the conversation was heated. Moments later the young woman was seen running south on Long’s Hill.
Historical Missing Persons
The RNC has exhausted all investigative means in attempting to locate the missing persons identified here. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of either of these individuals please contact 709-729-8000. To provide information anonymously, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com.
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This list is not all encompassing of the outstanding missing persons files of the RNC. Those listed here are from the RNC website.