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Search continues: Branden Bodson-Gratton remains missing as GSPS, OPP continue efforts to find him

After 13 days of searching, there is still no news on the young Sudburian's whereabouts

Updated: Dec. 20

Police have confirmed the person in the video is not the missing person, and that the search continues for Branden Bodson-Gratton, missing since Dec. 4.

"Person in video released earlier this week is NOT Branden Bodson-Gratton," police tweeted Thursday. 

"Thank you to everyone for their assistance identifying the person in the video. Branden was captured on video on Dec 3 wearing blue bandana as seen in photo, black jacket, blue hoodie & dark jeans."

Updated: Dec. 18, 1:30 p.m.

On Dec. 17, Greater Sudbury Police Service was provided video surveillance footage of an unknown man walking in the area of Frood Road near the property of Stobie Mine. The footage was captured on surveillance equipment belonging to Vale. This came in as a possible sighting of missing person Branden Bodson-Gratton. Watch the video here.

Updated: Dec. 17, 3 p.m.

Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers is convinced someone has information on the location of Branden Bodson-Gratton.

The organization has guaranteed a minimum $1,000 reward for tips received before midnight on Sunday, Dec. 23 if the information leads to finding Branden (reward money will be divided if many successful tips are received).

For tips received after the deadline, the standard process for determining reward amounts will apply.

If you want to provide information on the location of Branden or have any information about other criminal activity, and you want to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or submit an online tip on our secure website www.sudburycrimestoppers.com .

Updated Dec. 16 at 5 p.m.

On Dec. 15, the Ontario Provincial Police helicopter joined Greater Sudbury Police ground efforts this weekend in the search for Branden Bodson-Gratton.

After 13 days, the whereabouts of the 25-year-old Sudbury man remain unknown. 

On Saturday, the GSPS again asked people to "check your properties, and out buildings. Please call us if you see Branden."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Sudbury Police at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or www.sudburycrimestoppers.com.

Bodson-Gratton's mother, Diane Gratton, told Sudbury.com's Heidi Ulrichsen last week that the family became concerned around Dec. 3 or Dec. 4 when a visit to her son's room at an Elgin Street rooming house yielded only his keys, bank card and winter coat, but no Bodson-Gratton. The room was unlocked.

As well, he was in regular contact with his mother and other loved ones and it is unusual for him to go so long without calling.

On Dec. 5, someone found Bodson-Gratton's cellphone in a parking lot downtown and returned it to the family. 

If you've seen him or have information concerning his whereabouts, police and Bodson-Gratton's family urge you to contact authorities.

Updated Dec. 14 at 10:15 a.m.

With Branden Bodson-Gratton having been missing for 11 days, Greater Sudbury Police began a ground search on Dec.14.

The police service's search and rescue team, its tactical unit, along with members of North Shore Search and Rescue, conducted a ground search west of Frood Road along Elm Street and Pine Street.

They checked “any hazardous terrain in the area” as well as residential and business properties, including outbuildings and sheds.

People were asked to avoid the area while the search is taking place.  

“We ask that all community members across Greater Sudbury check their property, as Branden may have taken shelter,” a press release said. 

“If you see him, please contact police immediately. We ask that you contact police if you have information relevant to his whereabouts.”  
 

Updated Dec. 13 at 3:40 p.m.

Greater Sudbury Police issued the following update in this case Dec. 13:

"The Greater Sudbury Police Service continues to ask for the public’s assistance in locating 25-year old, Branden Bodson-Gratton. There is a concern for his well-being due to a medical condition and the prolonged period of time that he has not been in contact with is family and friends.

"We are asking that all community members check their property for Branden as he may have taken shelter. If you see him, please contact police immediately.

"Branden is described as being 5’10’’ tall, weighing around 155 lbs. with short brown hair and hazel eyes. We do not have any clothing descriptors at this time.

"We ask that you contact Police if you have information relevant to his whereabouts. All of the information and tips provided thus far have been followed up on and have not led Officers to his location.

 

Original story by Heidi Ulrichsen

Diane Gratton says her son, 25-year-old Branden Bodson-Gratten, has challenges.

He sometimes does hallucinogenic drugs, which exacerbates his schizophrenia — the temptation is always there to self-medicate when you have a serious mental health condition, she said.

But no matter what was happening in his life, Branden was always in touch with his mom and other close family members. She said he's a very social person and would always seek out help if he wasn't feeling well.

That's what makes the fact that he hasn't been seen or heard from since Monday, Dec. 3 so out of character.

“I'm his go-to person,” Diane said. “That's the biggest red flag, him not calling me … So something is wrong.”

On Sunday, Dec. 2, Branden told his mom he had taken drugs, and she told him to flush them. 

On the morning of Monday, Dec. 3, Branden talked to several family members on the phone, including his mother — he told her he'd flushed most of his drugs.

He was supposed to be picked up later that day by his aunt, who was going to bring him to camp.

Then, at 5:12 p.m. Dec. 3, Branden was dropped off by a cab on Elm Street, close to his home in a rooming house on Elgin Street, near the Grand Theatre.

That's the last time Bodson-Gratton has been seen by anyone for nearly two weeks now.

The next day, Tuesday, Dec. 4, Branden's father went to check on him, and found the door to his room unlocked and his four-month-old kitten unfed and roaming the halls.

His winter coat, bank card and keys were all inside the room.

At that point, family members started to get worried, and on Dec. 5, Bodson-Gratton was reported missing to Greater Sudbury Police.

“The information was sent out to the media and the public after the initial information was gathered,” said police spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn in an email to Sudbury.com.

“There is a concern for his well-being due to the prolonged period of time that his family has not heard from him.”

The same day, Dec. 5, Bodson-Gratton's cellphone was found by someone in the parking lot of the John Howard Society on Pine Street, Diane said. She said the person who found the phone charged it, and answered when family members called the number.

Since that time, Branden's friends, family members and complete strangers, as well as Greater Sudbury Police's search and rescue team, have been scouring the downtown and Elm West areas. Volunteers have been putting up posters in local businesses.

“Officers have and will continue to canvas the area for video and information,” said the statement from police. “Our Missing Persons Investigator and Coordinator continue to follow up on any information that comes in from the public. Anyone with information on his whereabouts or video surveillance in the area is asked to contact police.”

Diane worries that he may have been lured or coerced out of his rooming house — Greater Sudbury Police have received a tip to that effect.

“That kind of makes sense, if his keys are there, his bank card and his coat,” she said, wondering if his disappearance may be related to a drug debt. “That's up in the air. That's not confirmed or anything. That's just a tip that the police are looking into.”

Diane has a message for her son, should he happen to read this article. “Give me a call, give me a text,” she said. “We love you.”

Branden Bodson-Gratton is described as 5-10, 155 pounds with short brown hair and hazel eyes. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Sudbury Police at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or SudburyCrimeStoppers.com.