'We haven’t found a shoe, a wallet, or a hat': Search for elderly Toronto man approaches 3-month mark
The search for Antonio Madeira is almost at the three-month mark and his family tells CP24 that they are no closer to answers than they were following his disappearance from his west-end neighbourhood in July.
Madeira, who is 76, went missing just over 10 weeks ago. He was last seen on July 12, sometime between 10:30 and 11 a.m., near Winona Drive and Mulberry Crescent in the Oakwood-Vaughan neighbourhood.
Described as five-foot-five and 150 pounds with a thin build, a tanned complexion, hazel eyes, balding short white hair, and a full white beard, Madeira wore a dark or black jacket with a distinctive large white stripe on each arm, light khaki pants, white or light-colour shoes, and a multi-coloured baseball cap. He was also seen carrying his wallet and keys.
Madeira, who speaks Portuguese and understands Spanish and Italian, but struggles with English, walks with a slight, but distinct limp, and often clasps his hands behind his back.
He is a well-known resident of the Oakwood-Vaughan neighbourhood and has called the community home for four decades.
Antonio Madeira, 76, was last seen on July 12, 2022 near Winona Drive and Mulberry Crescent.
Since Madeira’s disappearance, his distraught family have canvassed and put up posters in several neighbourhoods throughout Toronto that he might have frequented. They’ve also searched parks, trails, laneways, yards, shelters and soup kitchens among other spots in an attempt to locate him. More recently, the search for Madeira has expanded its focus to outside of the city, especially in more rural or wooded areas.
A number of citizen groups have also come forward to help with the search. Some organizations have even brought in special sniffer dogs, but so far no concrete information about Madeira’s whereabouts has come to light, his son said.
“The unknown is really weighing on us. It’s the worst thing in the world and it’s really hard to bear,” Michael Madeira shared. “We haven’t found a shoe, a wallet, or a hat. We’re just asking everyone to keep an eye out,” he said.
Antonio Madeira's son, Michael Madeira, holds posters of his father that have been plastered throughout Toronto since the elderly west Toronto resident went missing on July 12.
Michael said in the first few weeks after his dad went missing there were some potential sightings of him, but in the end nothing came to fruition. The search is now at a “bit of a standstill,” he admitted.
As part of their investigation, Toronto police had initially set up a command post near Madeira’s home, but at this point they’re solely “following up on information the community provides in the form of leads and sightings,” TPS media officer Const. David Hopkinson said.
Michael, who said it is possible that his father may have undiagnosed dementia, said because it’s been so long since he went missing, people are starting to think he’s been found. Sadly, that’s not the case.
“He’s still missing and we’re still searching,” he said, adding anyone who wants to help look for his dad should get in touch through Facebook or Instagram. “Our concern now is that the weather’s changing. We need to get some answers before the snow falls.”
The Madeira family is asking anyone who sees Antonio to immediately call 911 and stay with him, if possible, until emergency responders arrive.
Both police and Madeira’s son said he will likely appear dishevelled and may be confused and afraid.
Anyone with further information should contact 13 Division at 416-808-1300, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.222tips.com.
People can also contact Michael Madeira directly at 647-282-8439, if they have any information or if they see his father.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.