The detective tasked with finding missing NOTL man Darren Werner says the disappearance, at this stage, is the most bizarre thing he has seen in 25 years.
“How can you, in 2021, vanish without a trace? It is mind blowing, because I have never seen it before,” said Det. Sgt. Richard Gauthier in an interview with ThoroldToday.
“We have a lot of questions, but not a lot of answers.”
It was on September 16 that Darren Werner, 58, a Niagara-on-the-Lake resident who police describe as a general worker and handyman who stores cars on his property as part of his profession, was reported missing by family members who could not find the man at the property they live at together.
Det. Sgt. Gauthier said family members could not find a rational explanation as to why Werner would be missing, or where he had gone.
An early media release suggested that Werner had been seen around 9 a.m. on September 16 traveling in an unknown vehicle, but Gauthier said that sighting is vague and unspecific, and has not been corroborated by any other witness reports.
“So the last time we can say he was seen was a day prior, but we can’t say for sure, as the family all come and go on the property.”
A ground search was conducted and a drone was deployed in search of Werner, but turned up nothing, leaving investigators with even more questions.
“This is unique. We have zero reason to suspect foul play, and nothing suggesting it, but I want to make it clear: we have not shut that door.”
Gauthier said sudden disappearances often follow a significant event such as a financial loss, divorce, or mental health emergency.
“But we have zero information that leads us to believe that. What we have is a man who got up in the morning and vanished without a trail.”
In February, the property that Werner owns suffered a fire with some damages as a result, but Gauthier said the matter is being treated as a separate incident, and that the Ontario Fire Marshals office indicated that the fire was the result of faulty wiring.
Police are now combing through financial records and phone logs, in attempts to solve the mystery of where the 58-year-old man is.
“Everyone we have spoken to, and we have spoken to a lot, describe him as a jovial guy who would light up a room. He is in great physical shape and everybody likes him.”
Gauthier underlined that Werner isn’t in trouble in any way, and released a video earlier Wednesday when he pleaded for either Werner to give a sign of life, or anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward.
“If someone knows anything, help us out. His kids are worried, because their father is missing, and the whole thing is super bizarre.”
