'Praying for a miracle': Family members anxiously waiting for safe return of missing Whitby mother and daughter
Family members of two missing Whitby women are anxiously waiting and praying their loved ones will be found safe and sound after Durham Regional Police said the pair disappeared under suspicious circumstances Thursday.
Officers arrived at the home of Ava Burton, 58, and her 85-year-old mother, Tatilda Noble, on Thursday afternoon after they were called by a concerned family member.
On Friday, police said evidence of something suspicious was found in the home located on Scepter Place, just metres from the border with Oshawa.
Marcella Guthrie is the cousin of Burton’s late husband who passed away from cancer in May. She said she and Burton have a close personal relationship, and has been visiting her frequently since the spring to help and provide support.
“Very shocked and concerned for their safety,” said Guthrie, adding they’ve received very little information about the ongoing case. “We’re just waiting for some kind of information, some kind of closure because this is very hard to go through on a daily basis.”
The forensic identification unit worked at Burton and Noble’s home over the weekend and into Monday.
Guthrie encourages anyone with information or video related to the investigation to come forward.
“We want them to come home. If anyone has seen them out there, contact the police,” she said.
Guthrie said she took Burton to a family event on Sept. 25, and last spoke with her on Oct. 10. She said there was no indication anything was off. “Just like happy Thanksgiving. Hope all is well and she said, ‘All is well. Thanks. Love you’. Said love you back. Talk to you in a week.”
“She loves the Lord, as you can indicate there is a big heart in front of her house,” said Guthrie. “She’s just a loving person, so is her mom and the family, very quiet, you know helpful, caring.”
Richard Rodwell is Guthrie’s husband. He said the family is grieving, wants closure but, at this point, has been given no update on whether they are believed to be alive.
“Whether it’s a good outcome or a bad outcome, it’s the not knowing. I mean if there is some really bad news, which nobody is wishing for of course, at least we know, and we can try and get on with some sort of normal lives. It’s turned everyone’s life upside down,” Rodwell said.
“They wouldn’t hurt a fly. There isn’t a bad bone in Ava’s body … a very spiritual person and this is extremely difficult.”
Rodwell said, with the passing of Burton’s husband, she had just started to go out again and regroup. Now with the pair missing, it’s another hard blow to the family.
“We’re just waiting anxiously and just praying for a positive outcome,” said Guthrie. “You see it on the news all the time, that peoples family are missing and you feel so sorry for them and you think how can they cope with that, and now it’s in my backyard.”
Guthrie said Burton lives at the home with her son and her mother. She said cousins, siblings and other close relatives are panicking, nervous and worried.
“We’re just praying for a miracle.”
Sonya Sykes is a first cousin to Burton’s late husband and last saw her at a family gathering in the summer. She said like other relatives, she is in shock. She said Noble moved in with the family in November of 2020 so the family could care for her.
“There is a great sense of helplessness,” she said. “We’re praying for her return and her mom’s return and everyone’s well being.”
Sykes said the family is large and close-knit, and when something happens to one of the cousins, they all feel it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.