Search continues for Shopify exec reported missing in Ottawa
Ottawa police continue to investigate the disappearance of a Shopify executive who went missing in Ottawa, and his family says they are not giving up hope.
Brett O'Grady, 35, was reported missing Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. He was last seen in the Avro Circle area in the east end. An extensive police search for the Shopify executive took place over the weekend with the help of volunteers.
However, Gord O'Grady, Brett O'Grady's father, told CTV Ottawa's Graham Richardson on Newstalk 580 CFRA on Monday afternoon that the police search was suspended Sunday night.
"The police suspended the search in the particular area in the woods near his home because they don't believe he is in this area any longer," he said. "So, they've suspended the search. They're continuing the investigation. Now we're relying more on media and the public to provide, hopefully, leads to find him."
Gord O'Grady told CTV News Ottawa on Sunday that the family is offering a $10,000 reward for tips that lead to Brett being found.
In a press release, Ottawa police described him as a Caucasian man, 5-foot-8 (173cm) tall, with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes.
He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt with a purple wolf logo, dark jeans, and navy blue shoes. He was also believed to be riding a red and black Pure Fix bicycle.
O'Grady is the head of treasury and risk at Shopify. In a statement, a company spokesperson said they are hoping he will be found safe.
"We are deeply concerned to hear that Brett has been reported missing by his family and we are hopeful for his safe return. We are doing all we can to support in the search effort and urge anyone with information to please contact the Ottawa police," the spokesperson said.
Police said early Sunday afternoon that members of the emergency services unit were deployed Friday evening to aid in the search, after police received some investigative leads. The search was focused on a wooded area near the Aviation Parkway and the Ottawa River.
'Just come home': Family and friends canvass the city
"We just need help from the community to see if anyone has seen him, if anyone has any leads," said Brett O'Grady's wife, Becky O'Grady.
Family and friends set up a command centre at O'Grady's home, and groups were sent out across the city to hand out flyers and pictures of the missing 35-year-old.
"So many people here, maybe up to 100 people here yesterday and again today, just getting directions from Mike on where to go," said Gord O'Grady. "They handed out 2,600 fliers yesterday and we're broadening it more east and west in and outside of the city."
O'Grady's family say they just want Brett to come home, "No questions asked."
"We're just lost as to why he would do this and where he could possibly be," said Gord O'Grady.
"We just want you to come home, we love you, everyone here loves you. Just come home," said Becky O'Grady.
Emergency responders were set up Sunday in the area of Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, Polaris Avenue, the Ottawa River and the Aviation Parkway. The police operation included water and shoreline searches and the use of a drone.
Gord O'Grady said on Monday the search over the weekend kicked off when a neighbour found Brett's bicycle in the woods on Friday.
"That was the starting point. The police could get the search teams mobilized, the emergency services unit, the dog teams and so on," he said. "They believe now, based on their experience and the area that they've searched in this neighbourhood, that they've done their exenstive search and they can't continue because the search area is too broad. What they need is another starting point. The bicycle was the starting point last Friday. Now, they need another lead."
Ottawa police and Ottawa paramedics have set up near the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum on Oct. 17, 2021 as part of an extensive search for a missing man. Brett O'Grady, 35, was reported missing Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. (Jeremie Charron/CTV News Ottawa)
Anyone with information about the current whereabouts of Brett O’Grady is asked to call the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222.
If you have information that could assist investigators, but do not know where he is currently, please contact the Missing Persons Unit 613-236-1222, ext. 2355, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Early results from London, U.K., suggest Labour's Sadiq Khan will secure a record third term as mayor
Sadiq Khan, the Labour Party's mayor of London, appeared Saturday to be romping to victory as results from the capital pour in.
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.