Two communities concerned for young man's disappearance make a plea for help
- NC Raine | December 14, 2023
Family of a missing young man is asking the public for any information related to his whereabouts.
Bryon Watson, 23, from Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, was last seen November 26, leaving his aunt's house. Watson is described as 5'8" tall and 175 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. His attire is unknown.
During a press conference on December 12, a representative from his family said it is very uncharacteristic for Watson to go missing or not communicate with family, as he is very close with them.
"Someone out there knows something about Byron's disappearance," said Cherish Francis, spokesperson for the family. "We want to provide this family support and bring him home."
Organized searches by the family and RCMP have been going on since December 1st in and around the Maple Creek and Nekaneet First Nation area.
The File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council provided drones for the search.
RCMP Corporal Mike Chiarot said an RCMP search and rescue team, as well as Saskatchewan search and rescue, and remote pilot aircraft systems are conducting thorough searches.
The family has also put out a call on social media for the community to check their personal home surveillance footage.
Through donations, the family is currently offering $5,000 for information that could lead to the discovery of Watson.
Further donations could raise the reward for information, said Francis.
"A member of our community's disappearance has us all worried about his whereabouts," said Michelle McKenzie, Mayor of Maple Creek.
"This is the first time we've ever had someone from our close-knit community disappear," she said. "When one of our community members goes through a criss, we all go through a crisis. Things like this just don't happen in our community."
McKenzie encourages the community to do whatever they can, and check backyards, pastures, and farmland for any signs of Watson.
Complicating the search, family said Watson doesn't have his own vehicle or cell phone and wasn't carrying identification thus could not have crossed the Canada-United States border. Family has also been checking his bank transactions and social media, which show no activity.
The family has been struggling since his disappearance, said Francis. They hope media attention will help to bring him home.
"First Nations people don't get the media attention we need," said Francis.
"The time is now to come forward and let us know what's going on," she said. "At the end of the day, we want him home."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Maple Creek RCMP at (306) 662-5550 or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- TIPS (8477), or online at saskcrimestoppers.com