Update: April 15, 2021
Please note the following edit, regarding original article posted below.
On March 2, 2021 our office shared an update regarding the disappearance of Justin Evans. That original update can be found below. Our office has made a genuine attempt to share Justin’s story and we will continue to follow updates from Justin’s family members via their Facebook Group, Bring Justin Evans Home. Several media outlets shared information earlier this year concerning details of Justin’s hometown of Kilworthy, Ontario and where he was living before his suspicious disappearance. Our office simply shared that update (original post below). Post stated “Justin Evans, age 22, has been missing from his Kilworthy home, just south of Gravenhurst, Ontario since Dec. 12th 2020. His roommate at Muskoka Falls Camp and Trailer Park reported him missing two days later on December 14th.” Justin actually lived across the highway at Muskoka Mobile Trailer Park, something the media outlets may or may not have clarified. In fact, we have confirmed that Justin (and his roommate mentioned below), resided almost directly across from Muskoka Falls Camp and Trailer Park, on the south side of Highway 11; Muskoka Falls Camp and Trailer Park is less than 5 minutes from where Justin disappeared. Justin’s disappearance is still considered suspicious.
Also, please note our office IS NOT MEDIA NOR ARE WE AFFILIATED WITH THE MEDIA. Kindly contact appropriate media outlets directly if you have an issue with their publications, NOT our office. Inappropriate and/or threatening phone calls will not be tolerated and will be forwarded to the proper authorities immediately.
As always, police and his family are asking anyone with information to please call Bracebridge OPP at 1-888-310-1122 directly. Alternately you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
March 2, 2021
Justin Evans, age 22, has been missing from his Kilworthy home, just south of Gravenhurst, Ontario since Dec. 12th 2020. His roommate at “Muskoka Falls Camp and Trailer Park” reported him missing two days later on December 14th.
It’s extremely out of character for Evans to take off for long periods of time without contacting family. The OPP Criminal Investigation Branch is overseeing the case with the assistance of Bracebridge OPP, the Muskoka Crime Unit and OPP Forensic Identification Services. OPP Detective Inspector Matt Watson said foul play has not been ruled out and it is considered criminally suspicious.
Evans loved the outdoors, often spending time fishing. Evan’s stepfather even checked some of their favourite fishing spots, but couldn’t find anything. Family members say that Justin knew the dangers of thin ice and was an avid outdoorsman, he would never have gone onto the ice.
Evans is described as “fun to be around.” He enjoyed hanging out with his young cousins and “was always a joker.” His disappearance is still an active investigation but many of our news outlets are not covering Justin’s disappearance any longer, despite continued pleas from family members.
We need to keep this fresh on the public’s mind. All search efforts to date, including aviation, canine, analytical services and the Emergency Response Teams, have been unsuccessful. Family, friends and the community as a whole, are very concerned for Justin. Family members are desperate to learn of his whereabouts.
Kilworthy is an extremely small town north of Orillia, Ontario and the community is close-knit. Everyone is banding together to find Justin. Family is fearing the worst, and while hoping for the best, they want closure. Evans is described as being six-foot-three, with a slim build, brown hair, blue eyes and no facial hair. He was last seen wearing a grey winter coat, blue jeans and camo boots.
Evans’ had no known enemies, didn’t use drugs or otherwise engage in a lifestyle that would put him in harm’s way. This is completely out of character for Justin and his family wants the public to know that.
Justin’s family appreciates the outpouring of love and support. They are operating a Facebook page called “Bring Justin Evans Home”, which currently has over 4000 members. The family is desperate for leads. The group has also provided Justin’s mother, Jaime Wise, the opportunity to speak about her son, marking the first time she’s posted about her son since his disappearance. She said she didn’t have the strength to write in detail, earlier. She added, in her lengthy post dated January 22nd, the events of the days leading up to and including Evans’ disappearance. She also writes about the kind of person her son is, stressing how out of character it is for him to disconnect from family for this long.
Justin’s mother wrote in the Facebook Group dedicated to finding her son: “We grieve every day waiting for news that never comes to explain what and who is responsible for taking him away from me, from us, his family.” Wise finished her post asking that anyone with questions contact the administrators of the Facebook page who are all members of the family and who are “able to answer questions accurately.”
While many community members have inquired about search efforts, Justin’s family say things have been complicated by the lockdown. However, they are encouraging the public to keep their eyes and ears open.
The case is certainly suspicious. Investigators are still deeming Justin’s disappearance as mysterious. This type of year can present challenges with regards to searching, as snow can hide evidence. However, investigators are still busy sorting through evidence, and waiting on forensic evidence submitted to Toronto for testing.
Someone out there knows something. If you do, please do the right thing and come forward. The family needs answers.
Police and his family are asking anyone with information to please call Bracebridge OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Alternately you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). You can submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.