Video: missing man mystery

Castanet's Kelly Hayes reports.

This Friday marked the fifth anniversary of the disappearance of Aaron Derbyshire, who has been missing since September 30, 2006.

Photo: Contributed - File photo

During a Friday morning press conference, Kelowna RCMP Const. Steve Holmes made a public plea for anyone with more information to step forward.

The following is a transcript of his statement.

Today is exactly five years to the day that Aaron Derbyshire has been missing, vanished with no clear insight yet as to what happened or where he is now.

For the last 1,826 days, the Derbyshire family has had to wake up to the grim reality that their son and brother is still missing.

For the last 1,826 days, this family has also woken up to the hope that this day could be the one that brings them an answer to their questions, a resolution to their suffering and an end to their journey of grief.

The questions, as we all know, are: What happened to Aaron Derbyshire? Where is he now?

Someone knows this. That someone, needs to help his family. You've already been shown the way to do it. Don't make them wait any longer.

Aaron was last seen on September 30, 2006 at around 1:40 a.m., by his friends at Level Nightclub that was known, at that time, as Splashes, located on Lawrence Avenue in Kelowna.

Aaron's friends left the nightclub without him and he has not been seen or heard from since.

Aaron was supposed to meet his family for a rafting trip. When he didn't show up, his family became concerned and called police to report him missing.

His family knew that his failure to meet up for the trip, or to contact them, was completely out of character.

The investigation into Aaron's disappearance has not stopped and investigators continue to review past information and act on any new information in the hopes of finding answers that will bring closure for the family.

Despite countless hours of investigation and the through follow up of over 300 tips so far, as well as the interviewing of numerous witnesses, the elusive pieces of information that will solidify an answer is still out there.

The lens of this investigation is still wide open and possible scenarios and theories have been contemplated. We are not able to speak of any details because the information to confirm them is not yet known.

The integrity of this investigation is paramount and cannot be compromised by providing any information already gleaned.

Understand that if we had the information we needed, this press conference would not be happening.

Our goal today is to appeal to whomever has the necessary information to assist our case to it's conclusion. Five long years of silence have passed since Aaron has disappeared.

If this was your son, if this was your brother, would you not be here today pleading for the same thing?

Anonymity is guaranteed, gratitude is assured, closure is desperately needed.

Today, compassion needs to find those who can help the Derbyshire family.

Please, help us help them. 

Call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or click here to go to Crime Stoppers.