Family continues search for man missing for 16 months: ‘Left guessing’

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Loved ones of a missing St. Thomas man continue searching for answers about what happened to him more than a year after he went missing.

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Monday marked the 16th month since Kyle Hancock vanished, according to a detailed Facebook post by Brendan Hancock, who hopes to learn more about what happened to his 35-year-old brother who “disappeared the night of Aug. 1, 2023.”

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“We are hoping to have any bit of information before the holidays pass by again,” wrote Brendan. “Every day we are left guessing what could’ve happened to him.”

Although he was last seen in St. Thomas in August 2023, the city’s police force first alerted the public about Kyle’s disappearance in September 2023, after his family reported him missing that month, police said in an email to The Free Press.

Someone resembling Kyle was spotted after he was reported missing, according to Brendan’s post.

“The last plausible” sighting of Kyle Hancock was reported by a man who said he saw a bike missing its rear fender, and a person resembling Kyle Hancock fishing at Springwater Conservation Area in early October 2023, Brendan’s post stated.

“This is a likely scenario, because Kyle likes fishing, his bike is missing the rear fender and our family are frequent visitors and campers at Springwater,” Brendan Hancock wrote.

Then, on Nov. 6, 2023, police received a report a bike suspected to be Kyle’s was located in the area of Southdale Line and Centennial Road, an intersection southeast of St. Thomas in Central Elgin, but Kyle wasn’t located, according to police.

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Brendan’s post notes Kyle’s helmet and cellphone were found in “some fields along Southdale Line” in November 2023.

“Any leads or tips to date have been exhausted,” St. Thomas police’s statement said, adding the investigation is continuing.

Kyle Hancock is familiar with trails in the St. Thomas area and known to ride his bikes and ATV on trails near Luton – a small community south of Aylmer – as well as paths near Port Bruce, Brendan shared in his post.

“We thought early on that he would check in with a family member, return for his clothes and belongings, or access his bank account, but none of this has happened,” stated Brendan. “It’s very strange.”

There have been many “speculations and questions” surrounding Kyle’s disappearance.

Brendan Hancock wonders if Kyle left his bike and cellphone behind after seeing missing person signs, whether foul play was involved or if he deliberately abandoned the belongings to mislead search parties.

Brendan’s post had generated more than 865 reactions and more than 100 comments and been shared 635 times as of Wednesday afternoon. Among the comments were those offering support for the family and hope for Kyle’s well-being.

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“I’m so sorry,” wrote Facebook user Deborah Chambers-Miller. “I couldn’t even imagine the not knowing. Praying you get answers soon as to where he is.”

Another user, Donata Ashton wrote: “My heart goes out to you and your family. I hope he is found soon and that he is safe.”

Anyone with information about Kyle Hancock’s whereabouts is asked to contact St. Thomas police at 519-631-1224.

bwilliams@postmedia.com

@BrianWatLFPress

The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada

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