Updated Jan. 29 at 4:39 p.m.: Greater Sudbury Police Service Tweeted at 4:17 p.m. that they are still requesting help in locating missing man Michael Vagnini.
Neither him nor his black 2021 Ram 1500 truck have been located.
"Officers have been and continue to extensively search the Walden, Lively, Naughton and Whitefish areas, however, there have not been any confirmed sightings of Michael or the vehicle," according to the latest media release.
"As it is believed that Michael was driving the truck at the time he went missing and was likely mobile for quite some time before the incident was reported to police, we are asking the entire community of Greater Sudbury to be on the look out for the vehicle in parking lots across the city and for residents and business owners to check all outbuildings on your property."
Anyone with information about the location of Vagnini and/or his vehicle is asked to phone police at 705-675-9171
Updated Jan. 29 at 1:14 p.m.: In a Facebook update to their ongoing search for missing Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini, Greater Sudbury Police have brought out a drone to assist.
GSPS said its Search and Rescue Team, Emergency Response Unit, Rural Community Response Unit and Patrol Operations continue to search in the McCharles Lake area for the missing city councillor. Vagnini's truck, a black Dodge Ram pickup with a broken passenger side tail light and Ontario licence plate BK22178. was last seen in the area of Rural Road 55 and McCharles Lake Road.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Original story
Joining a police effort to locate Michael Vagnini, numerous people have posted messages to social media indicating they’d been looking high and low for the missing city councillor from Ward 2.
Vagnini was last observed in the area of Regional Road 55 and McCharles Lake Road, between Whitefish and Naughton, and was reported missing to police on the evening of Jan. 27.
“I'm going to go driving for a bit just to see what I might see,” one commenter posted. “Each person knows their own neighborhood best. Look in the obvious and not-so-obvious places.”
Vagnini’s partner, Janie Galipeau, posted a message in response to the outpouring of support on the Ward 2 Greater Sudbury Ontario Facebook page, noting, “I cannot express the appreciation I have for everyone in Ward 2 and Sudbury in the search of our beloved Michael.”
“A lot of people are calling and texting his phone, but I just want everyone to know that I have his phone with me. So, if you see that a Facebook message has been read, it is me that is reading them. Please continue to pray. We are sick about this.”
Vagnini, 62, is Greater Sudbury’s city council member for Ward 2, and is described as male, white, standing 5-11 and weighing 260 lbs, with black short hair and an unshaven face.
He was last seen wearing a bright yellow hooded sweater, green pants and black running shoes, and was driving a black 2021 Ram 1500 truck, with Ontario licence plate BK 22178.
A messages was posted to Facebook by a family member which noted the truck's passenger taillight is broken.
According to the latest Greater Sudbury Police Service update issued at 5:09 a.m. police spent the night searching for Vagnini, but neither him nor his truck had been located.
Police ask that people be vigilant in looking for the above vehicle, "as he is believed to be with the vehicle."
Greater Sudbury Police are continuing efforts to locate him. Police are urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact them at 705-675-9171, as there are concerns for his well-being.
Vagnini requires medications, but has none with him, according to a media release issued by GSPS, which noted, “As a result, he may appear confused or disoriented”
Alongside the police search, a parallel effort by members of the public for his safe return has continued, many of whom have also been sending their prayers.
“My mom and I drove for hours around Worthington and Beaver Lake today,” a Facebook commenter said, in response to a post by Galipeau. “We are here for you, whatever you may need.”
“Praying for his safe return,” another commenter said. “Michael is always there for anyone in need. Such a good man with the biggest heart.”
Michelle Hamilton-Matthews identified herself as Vagnini’s cousin, and gave a few tips for those who want to help find him:
- Share the posts of him missing. His photo, his truck and the plate number.
- Continue to share the posts. Public awareness is most important.
- Be aware when driving anywhere and keep looking for his truck (if his truck is found the odds of finding him are much greater).
- If you have any information at all, please contact the police.
- Prayer. I know Michael believes in the power of prayer, so with all our prayers we will greatly bring the odds up in locating Michael.
Mayor Paul Lefebvre also issued a statement on Sunday, in which he wrote, “We are all extremely worried” about Vagnini, and that he’s confident GSPS is taking every action to locate him.
