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."
Original story:
It's been 16 days since Branden Bodson-Gratton was last seen, despite extensive search and rescue efforts by police and considerable media coverage.
Yesterday, police released video footage captured near Stobie Mine by Vale security cameras, showing a man dressed in black clothing walking along a road. The man, who has a hood pulled up over his head, which along with the distance, makes it difficult to see his features, is carrying a large log over his shoulder.
In the video, the man looks around often, appearing to check his surroundings and then leaves the roadway and begins walking into the sparse bush in the area of Frood Road, near Stobie Mine. The video doesn't show where the man is going.
It is possible the video is of Bodson-Gratton. You can watch the video below..
"Security ... called in a possible sighting of someone walking the tracks," said Branden's mother, Diane Gratton, Monday morning. "They got video but it's very far and grainy. They're following single prints on the tracks to find out who that person was, if it's my son or not because it's not validated right now."
Diane says that due to the length of time her son, who lives with schizophrenia, has been missing, he "may not even know who he is" at this point in time.
"That's something to think about, because if he's not been eating, his mind may not be completely there," said Gratton. "Keep sharing, keep your eyes open, hug your loved ones and tell them you love them."
Gratton thanked the public for the work that they've been doing and for the messages of support that she has received.
"It humbles me, the kindness of strangers that have sent me private messages or commented on my posts, people are sharing and sharing, it's just so overwhelming," said Gratton. "The police are doing an amazing job, they're continually keeping me informed so I'm up to date with anything and everything."
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 Bodson-Gratton, you can call Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or submit an online tip on our secure website SudburyCrimeStoppers.com. You can also phone the GSPS at 705-675-9171.
