MISSING PERSON UPDATE
The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (AMPS) is continuing to seek the public’s assistance in locating a missing person from Akwesasne.
Casey Oakes, age 30, was reported missing on Thursday, March 30, 2023. He was last seen Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m., boarding a small, light blue coloured vessel departing from the east end of Cornwall Island. He was wearing a black vest, snow pants, black face mask and a black toque.
The local waterways are continued to be searched. Police estimate that there are eight kilometres of waterway to search. Currently, there are approximately 40 first responders conducting the search including members from Akwesasne Mohawk Police marine unit, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Marine unit, Ontario Provincial Police air support, divers from the Sûreté du Quebec and the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department. The search is planned to continue until sunset today, April 1, 2023 and resume at 7:00 a.m. Sunday, April 2, 2023.
During the search, police located and spoke to a local male inside a cabin on St. Regis Island, Akwesasne, QC. At this time, police cannot connect the male to be related to our investigation. A vessel matching the description as being operated by Casey Oakes was located near the location of the deceased persons. It was removed by police and placed in secure storage for further processing. Clothing articles have also been located that have been identified as belonging to Casey Oakes.
Police will be continuing the search for the remainder of the weekend and request that the public and the media stay away from the search and command post area.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Casey Oakes or sees a person matching his description is asked to contact the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service at (613) 575-2000.
It is important to note that a public request for information is not the first step in all missing persons’ cases; if police can investigate and locate the missing individual while maintaining that person’s privacy, it is the preferred outcome. In some cases, taking the additional step of notifying the public and media and asking for their help is necessary. That may happen very quickly in an investigation, or it may be a step that is taken later when all other investigative avenues have been exhausted.