Toronto police are actively seeking public assistance in the search for David, a 78-year-old man who has been missing for over a week. He was last sighted kayaking on the Humber River. David’s disappearance was reported after he was last seen on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the vicinity of South Kingsway and The Queensway.
According to the police, David is described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall, with black and grey hair and a thin chinstrap beard. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a distinctive red shirt, along with a black and red vest, black pants, and black shoes. These details may assist the public in identifying him should they encounter him.
New developments in the case were shared by Duty Officer Scott Shutt, revealing that the investigation intensified when police traced David’s abandoned vehicle located near the Humber River. A witness reported having seen him launch an inflatable kayak on the morning of his last sighting, but since then, there have been no confirmed sightings of either David or the kayak, nor any related items.
The search for David began on September 15, when police responded to a check-address call that was initially made due to the smell of smoke coming from his residence. Upon investigation, officers found that David lived alone and had gone kayaking earlier in the week, prompting a more extensive search effort. This coordinated search has involved the Toronto Police Service Marine Unit, Peel’s Marine Unit, and specialized drone teams, which have been scouring the river north and south for a total of eight days now.
Officer Shutt emphasized the importance of public assistance in locating David, noting that his living situation may have contributed to the delay in reporting his disappearance. “David does live alone, and I believe that is one of the reasons why the reporting wasn’t made," Shutt stated. This highlights the community role in ensuring everyone is accounted for, particularly those living alone.
Interestingly, police have classified David’s disappearance as not being a Level 1 search, which is the highest priority designation for missing person cases. Nevertheless, investigators are stressing an urgent call to action for anyone who may have seen him or the inflatable kayak on or after September 10. They are encouraging the public to come forward with any information that could aid in his recovery.
The Toronto police are urging anyone with relevant information to contact them directly at 416-808-3300. The cooperation of the community can make a significant difference as they work together to locate David and ensure his safe return.
