Search for Esther, Day 11

Esther has been missing for 11 days.

She is a 14 year-old girl, about 5'2", with a medium build and brown hair. This is an interview Global News had with Esther about a year ago that gives a sense of her voice and attitude, which will hopefully help people identify her.

Esther is on the autism spectrum. While every individual is different, some people on the spectrum under stress may:

• Prefer familiar routes or meaningful locations (e.g., parks, schools, familiar buildings)
• Rely on routine or repetition for comfort
• Seek quiet, dark, or low-stimulation environments

These are general considerations and should not be taken as assumptions about her current situation.

If Esther is aware of the ongoing search, the visibility and attention may feel overwhelming and could affect whether she approaches others for help.

IF you see her, the best course of action is to call one of the numbers below and keep an eye on her while you do. If you are on your way to work or another responsibility and are worried about personal consequences, given the public attention of this case I think you could safely justify being late for whatever.

THE CONFIRMED FACTS:

• Esther has been missing since approximately 11 days ago.
• Media reports describe a possible sighting in the Earl Bales area around 11:30 pm on Friday, May 15.
• Police have reportedly confirmed a sighting near Bathurst Street and Hotspur Road around midnight the same night.

Everything else pertaining to her absence or the search is not verified.

The good news — most missing youth cases are ultimately resolved safely. At the Day 11 mark, there remains reason to hope she is receiving food, water, and shelter and will be found safe.

Based on publicly available information (and keep in mind, the likelihood is that there is additional information being kept confidential by authorities to not prejudice search efforts and to protect the family’s privacy), here are some plausible scenarios regarding Esther’s current status:

1. In a residence with someone known or connected to her
2. In a residence with someone exercising influence or control
3. Intentionally avoiding contact while moving between safe locations

The more challenging reality is that 11 days greatly increases the search parameters. Esther could theoretically be in the same region of town where she was last seen, or across the country.

Search efforts should continue to focus on sightings, spreading her picture as far and wide as possible and keeping her face and name in the news so that it’s fresh on people’s minds.

• (to this end, it is incredibly harmful to tear down posters of this missing teenager, so please don’t do that)

As I am sure the police and supportive authorities are already doing, it’s equally important to keep checking in with known friends of the family, friends at school, anyone Esther might reach out to given the chance.

Media reports indicate Esther may have been seen in the Earl Bales area around 11:30 pm on Friday, May 15. Police have confirmed a sighting near Bathurst Street and Hotspur Road at midnight, a half-hour later. If both reports are accurate, the inference is that Esther took a southward route along the Bathurst Street corridor (as indicated on the map below). This doesn’t mean she walked DOWN Bathurst proper, so a lack of video/CCTV footage showing her on that route is not conclusive evidence of anything.

Likely trajectory of Esther from 11:30pm (top) to midnight on Friday, May 15

Police have not announced any confirmed movements after the Hotspur sighting. This does not mean investigators do not have additional camera, transit, or witness evidence, just that no such information has been publicly disclosed.

If you even THINK you have seen Esther or may have a lead, contact one of the following:

• 911
• (647) 255–4148 (police-operated dedicated tip line)
• (416) 222–8477 (Crime Stoppers)

Let’s find her and make sure she is safe.