Several smaller communities within Sudbury are adding a helping hand to the search for Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini, and are listing the areas they’ve covered online.
Vagnini, 62, was last seen driving a black 2021 Ram 1500 truck with Ontario licence plate BK 22178. It has a broken passenger side tail light.
These communities include the Sudbury Freedom Convoy Facebook group, who have been searching since they heard of his disappearance.
A photo of Vagnini meeting with the group on Saturday, Jan. 27, is the last known photo of him. In it, he is wearing the yellow hockey jersey he was last seen wearing.
There are also those posting to Vagnini’s Facebook page, called Councillor Vagnini’s Ward 2 Community.
According to the Freedom Convoy site in Sudbury, their members have covered: McCharles Lake Road, Burr Oak Drive, Panache Lake Road, St Pothier Road, Desormeaux Road, Isaac Road, Grassy Lake Road, Tower Road, Carol Road, Airport Road, Makala Road, Ellman Road and at least 12 others including High Falls Road, Agnew Lake Mine Road and Lockerby Mine Access Road.
If you have been searching on your own for Coun. Vagnini, please email [email protected] and let us know the areas you’re searching.
As part of a news release yesterday, Jan. 31, GSPS released a residential video surveillance camera that captured Vagnini’s truck travelling westbound on McCharles Lake Road, between Whitefish and Naughton, at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Jan. 27.
This, Greater Sudbury Police Service noted in a media release issued at 4 p.m. on Jan. 31, is the last verified sighting of the Greater Sudbury city council member for Ward 2.
“Based on that information, it is believed that the vehicle and driver may have left the area,” according to the media release.
Shortly after 5:40 p.m. on Jan. 27, a vehicle matching the description was captured on video surveillance by a local business on Regional Road 55 west of Highway 24. Although it appeared to be driving eastbound toward Lively, GSPS reported that they are satisfied that video does not show Vagnini’s truck.
Vagnini was last seen wearing a bright yellow hooded sweater, green pants and black running shoes. Earlier in the day, he was seen wearing an Erie Otters jersey over top of the yellow hooded sweater. He does not have his phone with him.
Anyone who spoke with Michael in the days prior to January 27, 2024, who has not spoken with police is asked to call a dedicated tip line at 705-675-9171 extension 2320. Detectives are looking to gather additional information regarding conversations prior to Vagnini going missing.
The following is the latest known timeline of events:
- Friday evening: On Friday night, Vagnini posted on Facebook that he was looking into purchasing a fire truck and water rescue craft for Beaver Lake.
- Saturday, daytime: At some point during the day, Vagnini posed for a photo with Freedom Convoy protesters during their weekly gathering outside of Bell Park.
- Saturday, 5:40 p.m.: Vagnini’s truck is seen travelling westbound on McCharles Lake Road.
- Saturday evening: Vagnini was reported missing to GSPS.
- Sunday, noon: GSPS issued their first media release indicating that Vagnini is a missing person, prompting numerous community members to begin their own searches.
