Jun 17

Disappeared without a trace

As the search effort continues for a missing Timmins teen this week, many searchers and police officers remember that it was exactly five years ago that authorities first got word that an elderly man had failed to return home from berry picking. He was never to be found.

That man, 78-year old Luciano “Lou” Trinaistich, left his home in Porcupine on Tuesday July 24th, 2007 in the early afternoon. He was fond of berry picking in an area along Murphy Road. When Tranaistich had not returned home for supper in the early evening, family members became worried. Timmins Police were notified and began searching in popular bush areas on the fringe of the city.

The missing man’s vehicle, a light blue Jeep Grand Cherokee, was discovered on a narrow bush road in Murphy Township, an area the man was familiar with. The vehicle was not locked. The windows were down. The area was thick with ripe blueberries and raspberries that week.

Ontario Provincial Police had jurisdiction over the search area and within hours, brought in teams of searchers with ATVs, a canine-team and helicopters.

Initially, police had solid hopes that Trinaistich would be found, given that he had been a successful berry picker for many years and was experienced in bush travel.

“Basically when the search is called in we’re assuming we’re searching for a live responsive person,” said OPP search manager Sgt. Grant Ayres at that time.

“So our search is focused, and our search methods are basically in that direction — calling out his name, trying to cover as much area as we can as quickly as we can — in order to give us the best chance that we’ll be able to find the gentleman alive and in the best condition possible,” he said.

“It’s the hope you will find the missing person, there’s all kinds of stories out there you know where people have been lost for lengthy periods of time and are still found alive so that and the fact you want to find the person for the family as well, and give the best effort, and that’s what we’ll do,” Ayres said that week.

missing2As it turned out, there was a massive and exhaustive search carried out across the northern region of the city for more than two weeks. Dozens of specially-trained volunteer searchers with the Timmins Search and Rescue, and the Porcupine Area Search and Rescue organizations, joined the effort, along with friends and family members. They worked tirelessly despite the heat and swarms of mosquitos.

Rumours circulated around the city that he was the victim of a bear attack; that he fell down a remote mine shaft; that he was abducted or that he fell into a creek and drowned. Nothing was found. No clothing, no indications of any foul play, not even cigarette butts even though Trinaistich was known to smoke DuMaurier cigarettes.

Police even consulted geological and mining maps to explore the possibility that the man fell into some old mine workings.

In the second week of the search, a final push was made to go over old ground previously searched, just in case something was missed. Nothing was found. Other than his vehicle, there was not a scrap of evidence to indicate that Trinaistich has been in the area. Police even carried out a canvas of the man’s neighbourhood and did a thorough background check to determine if there was anything that might have led to foul play. Nothing.

The decision was made by OPP to “suspend” the search. That means the case remains open, but active search efforts will not be carried out unless there is some new and compelling evidence. That has not happened.

The story of the disappearance of Luciano Tranaistich is puzzling but by no means is it unique. Over the years in Northern Ontario, literally dozens of berry pickers, hikers, campers and others, have disappeared without a trace.

 

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23 Responses to “Disappeared without a trace”

  1. Steven B

    As a former Ontarian, that is a large amount of wilderness up there…small and large lakes, rivers, creeks, swamps, bogs with mixed and coniferous forests…

    • Christopher c

      Ontario looks like a labyrinth of all the things you described above,that has got be a creepy place to get lost in,not to mention it resembles that of a lower montane forest that Sasquatch are said to thrive in,hopefully they find him so he family can be at peace.

  2. Tyler D

    It can’t be a coincidence that so many people end up disappearing while berry picking. This case seems to have all the right variables to be a Missing 411 case. Younger and older people seem to be the prime demographic for these disappearances. And whoever is doing this does not seem to make any mistakes or slip up. If it was a person, bear or mountain lion there would be some sort of struggle or signs that something had happened. I’m sure that he didn’t just wonder off of his own free will he was a 78 year old man and even if he did how far could he really go? I hope more people will buy some of the Missing 411 books so they can be aware that these disappearances are much more common than people think and some of these cases could even be in their backyard. These people have the right to now what’s goin on in our National Parks and to take the correct precautions when they are out in these rural areas with family and loved ones

    • Steven B

      There are only 2 known large predators up in that area (unless the Ministry of Natural Resources has been releasing cougars again but denying it). There are timber (gray) wolves and black bears. Moose can be pretty ornery at times but you’d find a stomped body.

    • r v

      (If fish were watching TV) “…and in other local news today, several more fellow trout have gone missing while out hunting for floating worms and salmon eggs. Authorities are saying that they think there may be a connection…”

      Regarding the whole berry thing, I would think that either whatever is taking people at these sights is waiting for game that feeds on the berries, or was there looking for food itself when a better opportunity came walking up. I’m sorry because I know this sounds insensitive (relative to this case), but the 411 reports have the berry patches featuring pretty heavily (as others have noted on here).

  3. Kent C

    ” I hope more people will buy some of the Missing 411 books so they can be aware that these disappearances are much more common than people think and some of these cases could even be in their backyard.”

    Tyler, …..I couldn’t agree more! Dave Paulides does a first class job of pointing out the similarities between cases! (…..Like the whole “Berry Picking Thing”!!)

    • Steven B

      I bought the 2 major Missing 411 books as Christmas gifts for my Dad and brother last year. They really liked reading them. I read most of both of them myself afterwards. Forewarned is forearmed…

  4. Milton L

    Sasquatch Chronicles, as well as David Paulides’ books have helped us to see many things that have been in plain sight all along. Awareness really changes everything.

  5. Jan W

    This is so very sad. Definitely one (hopefully not two) for Missing 411, if it’s not already. Something very strange is afoot and I believe there are a few individuals who know just exactly what’s going on. Thanks to Paulides, we know there is a problem AND we know there is resistance to disclosure about the problem from certain agencies. Terrible to think about, but lucky we are now aware of the danger certain parks and wild areas pose.

  6. Rob C

    I think David Pauline’s greatest show appearance ever would be on Sasquatch Chronicles. It would be like peanut butter and chocolate coming together or the CIA and FBI working together. What a great program that would be!!!!

    • Kent C

      I agree: Dave Paulides would be a fabulous guest!! …….But I don’t think it will happen.

      He has worked too hard in creating his image as a totally objective investigator: ……He investigates each case to the best of his ability; ….He then collates the mass of case data in a search for commonalities; …..And then he charts and maps the patterns that emerge. (….Good, solid detective work!)

      The one thing he has religiously avoided is publically naming a suspect!

      His project is ongoing, and he is still collecting data: …So he does not want to do anything that would discourage people from bringing their cases to his attention. If he were to come out and say “BF did it!” or “The Aliens did it!” a lot of people would hesitate to contact him because they would be thinking of him as “one of THOSE nuts”!

      ……And because of that, he would probably be inclined to maintain some distance from dedicated shows like SC. (….However, we can always hope!!)

      • Tyler D

        I’ve always thought David would be an amazing guest on the show. Not only because the Missing 411 books but he also has a few books on sasquatch as well. He spent quite a bit of time with the Hoopa tribe in California and taking in all their beliefs and legends on the subject. But he tries to keep the two subjects separate, his Missing 411 books and his researching sasquatch I mean. He doesn’t want to jump to any conclusions before he has all the variables of the equation and I respect him for that. He would be an amazing guest and it would probably be one of the top episodes that SC would do

  7. Robert V

    David Paulides is objective. I don’t feel he embelishes one bit. I agree with everyone it’s a classic 411 case. I was thinking, not for certain, if the searchers felt the same. The reason I mention this is they went back and searched areas they already searched. In the 411 books many people are found this way.

    It must be heartbreaking for the families.

    Bob

    • Kent C

      Robert: …….I agree completely with your comment; “David Paulides is objective. I don’t feel he embellishes one bit.”

      I have all of Dave Paulides’ 411 books, and I can think of NO occasion where I felt that he had embellished!

      Will was always very quick to accuse Dave Paulides of embellishment: …..I now wonder if that was because Dave recognized patterns that Will failed to see!

    • Janet B

      Hello Paulides fans,

      Your comments got me to thinking….just a few years ago, before the first 411 book, did ANY of us have any idea of the
      things going on…whether it was in Nat’l/State parks…or forests?

      Having been an outdoors person my entire life…and I’m 66 now….that first book gave me the heebee jeebies…since
      most of the places he was talking about, west of the Mississippi, we’d been to at one time or another…and now we
      look at 4 books, with undoubtedly a 5th to follow along here sometime.

      Personally, I bless Dave Paulides and his dedicated group, for all the information they’ve put before the public…tho
      I believe, sadly, that much of the public still remains in ignorance.

      I deliberately wear my Missing 411 t-shirt when I’m out and about…hoping that someone will ask, “what’s that”…so
      as to give me a chance to give them a bit of information…

      If not for those two park rangers who decided it was important enough to let Dave in on the secret…we’d still be
      bumbling around in those areas, not knowing the potential for tragedies.

      Thank you Dave!

      Jan

  8. Melodie P

    I think Mr Paulides would come on Wes. You should ask him! He lived two years with the Hoopa tribe and rather than a missing 411 interview , Let’s hear about his time with the Hoopas, and what insights and beliefs they imparted to him regarding the biggies; also what’s his group been up to lately? They are well educated, logical individuals and their willing to think outside the box… I think it would be an interesting show…

  9. david s

    How can they mention maps of the mines and then not go into them looking for these people? BF is known to habituate mines for cover and warmth…and a meal undisturbed.

    • Kent C

      David; ……Remember, just because our “Responsible, Truthful, and Objective Media” (….Note sarcasm!) does NOT report something, …..it is never safe to assume that it didn’t happen!

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