Candlelight vigil planned after body found believed to be missing Bradford teen
Posted October 30, 2020 8:58 pm.
Last Updated October 31, 2020 7:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
South Simcoe Police say a body recovered from a Bradford pond Friday evening is believed to be that of a missing 15-year-old boy.
Acting Deputy Chief John Van Dyke said Siem Zerezghi was last seen leaving his home in the area of Professor Day Drive and Northgate Drive at around 7:45 a.m. on Oct. 24.
He said searchers in the area of Eighth Line and Professor Day Drive found items that belonged to the teen at around 3 p.m. Friday.
The OPP’s underwater search and recovery unit was then called to a nearby pond where a body was found, he said.
Searchers had been scouring the community for Siem using a drone, canine units and ATVs.
Van Dyke says the boy’s family has been notified and he thanked the community for its support.
“The last sightings of him were obtained by two separate security cameras in his neighbourhood,” he said. “Seim’s family have been notified and are requesting privacy at this difficult time.”
Chief Andrew Fletcher also expressed the force’s “deepest condolences” to the family, saying the search unfortunately ended “in a way no one wanted.”
“I would also like to extend our sympathy to the community of Bradford West Gwillimbury and everyone impacted by this,” read a statement released Saturday morning. “Our team is feeling the impact of this and wish we could have changed the outcome. We are continuing with the investigation and will be supporting the family in the weeks ahead.”
A candlelight vigil in honour of the 15-year-old is scheduled for Sunday night.
“Our community is devastated and in shock about Siem,” organizers said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“We need to give the family their privacy but we can also show them how much of an amazing community they live in by holding a candle light vigil for Siem.”
According to the event’s description, the vigil will be held outside the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library starting at 7 p.m.
Organizes as those planning to attend to bring a candle and adhere to proper physical distancing and local COVID-19 health measures.
