The homicide unit has taken over the investigation into a missing 29-year-old woman in Hamilton.
Holly Hamilton was reported missing by her family on Monday after she was last seen the night before on Jan. 14.
In a news release issued on Wednesday, Hamilton police said Hamilton has never gone missing before and described this incident as “out of character for her.”
A command post has been set up in the area of Barton Street and Fairfield Avenue, which is where she was last seen.
According to investigators, Hamilton drives a white 1996 Ford Escort with the licence plate BRBL 996, which has sustained some damage to the front of the vehicle.
She has been described as a black five-foot-seven woman weighing about 170 pounds with long black hair. Officers said she was last seen wearing a black parka style jacket with brown fur on the hood, blue jeans, a white three-quarter sleeve t-shirt with black writing on the front and black boots.
Investigators said they are looking to speak to Hamilton’s 30-year-old ex-boyfriend who they believe may have “valuable information” to her whereabouts.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Det. Dave Oleniuk said the ex-boyfriend is known to police but he is not being considered a suspect in this case at this time.
“We do know quite a bit about him but at this point we are unable to get a hold of him and we really need to get a hold of him,” Oleniuk said.
Oleniuk added that Hamilton and the ex-boyfriend have one child together who is safe and staying with her grandparents.
The woman’s brother Cass Hamilton told CP24 on Tuesday evening that there was a history of domestic abuse between his sister and her ex-boyfriend.
“We’re just trying to make sense of the whole story ourselves and just put together the timeline to think of what could have happened and we’re hoping for the best even though it could be a bad situation,” he said.
Cass Hamilton said the ex-boyfriend dropped off their child at the grandparents’ home on Monday without saying anything.
“She (the child) was on the doorstep ringing the doorbell and he (the ex-boyfriend) was about 100 yards across the roads,” he said. “It’s actually remarkable how calm she (the child) is acting. She is laughing and being playful like it’s just another day at grandma’s house right now – it hasn’t been long enough.”
Her brother is urging anyone with any information to contact police.
“We just want to bring this girl’s mom home,” he said. “The family is hurt, we’re all hurt.”
“If you see something get in touch with police or contact the family.”
Police said the homicide unit has taken over the investigation as there is reason to be concerned for Hamilton’s safety.
