Found Deceased Canada - Murray Banfill, 72, Windsor, Ontario, 12 November 2018

[GuyfromCanada]

Case #: 2018-97274
Police Ask for Public Assistance in Locating Missing Male

The Windsor Police Service requests the public's assistance in locating a missing male.

Murray Banfill, 72 years old, was last seen on Monday, November 12, 2018 in the afternoon.

He is described as a male white, 5'5, 130 lbs, glasses, sandy brown thinning hair, mustache, last seen wearing navy coat, jeans. Some property belonging to missing was located in the area of Riverside Drive East and Strabane Avenue.

Please review the picture below and if you have any information call the police.

Police and family are concerned for his well-being.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor Police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com

November-13-2018-Update-1

I wonder what property was found and why was it abandoned in the street.

 

[ScootDV138]

This is a friend’s grandfather.
He left an apparent suicide note, but They have yet to locate a body. The property found was his car, parked near the river.

 

[Lexiintoronto]

This is a friend’s grandfather.
He left an apparent suicide note, but They have yet to locate a body. The property found was his car, parked near the river.

I’m very sorry.

Thank you for posting and looking out for your friend. I hope his grandfather is found soon.

 

[Bigred@1971]

Hello All,
This is my Dad. He is still missing as of Monday Dec 17.
The property left was his vehicle that he drove, he placed his jacket on a picnic table. Hours after these items were found we located a note that was in plain sight, however written on the reverse side of a piece of paper that said "I'm sorry", and "I love you all".
A search was completed by the Coast Guard and Helicopter that night, but turned up nothing. He is still considered missing with extenuating circumstances. We are still searching for him.

 

[Lexiintoronto]

Hello All,
This is my Dad. He is still missing as of Monday Dec 17.
The property left was his vehicle that he drove, he placed his jacket on a picnic table. Hours after these items were found we located a note that was in plain sight, however written on the reverse side of a piece of paper that said "I'm sorry", and "I love you all".
A search was completed by the Coast Guard and Helicopter that night, but turned up nothing. He is still considered missing with extenuating circumstances. We are still searching for him.

I’m sorry to hear the position you’re in. I can relate to a certain extent.

The note he left is important and I believe is the absolute truth.

Unfortunately, we’ve had similar cases here on WS. If you have any questions, some of us might be able to answer them.

It sounds as if you’re doing your best in trying to find him, as well as the first responders.

Has OVERT (Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team) become involved? The police would have to request their involvement.

Maps of approximate last known location:

 

[Bigred@1971]

Lexiintoronto- I have contacted them, however they are not dispatched by civilians and the local authorities believe him to drown and due to the variables, gave us a 'wait and see' outcome. His body could surface at any moment, and we have no idea where. The river front is being searched, less now due to the weather and the size of the river- it's almost impossible to cover the area on a daily basis. Some believe he is close by to where he jumped in, some believe the current could take him to the outskirts of town (where most 'bodies' surface) I am trying to maintain my searches, but my days become disheartening and extremely frustrating looking for him.. I do go to the park where he was last known but as far as walking the entire riverfront... we just don't know. I know there is also a male from Belle Isle in the water from Nov 20 so we look for him as well. At any moment, any day and any time I could get a phone call with NO CALLER ID and it could be 'the call' we've all been waiting for, until then we continue our search.

 

[Lexiintoronto]

Lexiintoronto- I have contacted them, however they are not dispatched by civilians and the local authorities believe him to drown and due to the variables, gave us a 'wait and see' outcome. His body could surface at any moment, and we have no idea where. The river front is being searched, less now due to the weather and the size of the river- it's almost impossible to cover the area on a daily basis. Some believe he is close by to where he jumped in, some believe the current could take him to the outskirts of town (where most 'bodies' surface) I am trying to maintain my searches, but my days become disheartening and extremely frustrating looking for him.. I do go to the park where he was last known but as far as walking the entire riverfront... we just don't know. I know there is also a male from Belle Isle in the water from Nov 20 so we look for him as well. At any moment, any day and any time I could get a phone call with NO CALLER ID and it could be 'the call' we've all been waiting for, until then we continue our search.

Good of you to be keeping the other missing person in mind when you’re searching.

You have to give yourself breaks.

Are you putting up missing posters as you go? In past searches we printed them off and covered them with plastic report covers from the dollar store. Clear packing tape and packing tape gun can be found there as well.

Dog walkers, hikers and joggers might see the posters and may be more vigilant. They might go off the beaten track.

It might help if you and anyone searching can mark on a map where you’ve placed the posters, and searched.

It’s a large area to cover. River searches are challenging because of the fast currents and the resulting soil erosion below, as you probably know.

Are you familiar with the currents in that area? You mentioned a location where the remains of other drowning victims have been found, could you mark that on a map or tell me the specifics so it’s on this thread so I can map it?

Placing this for reference, historical weather data for Windsor:

Weather in November 2018 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada

ETA: It’s a good idea to go out in pairs when looking. Bringing a walking stick is useful. If you find clothing or other items of interest, don’t touch them. Mark location and call the non-emergency police number or 222-tips line if you wish to remain anonymous.

‘Open mind: large net.’

 

[Lexiintoronto]

It began with Murray Banfill misplacing his wallet or keys, or repeating a story he’d just told.

Now, Terri Banfill is searching the innumerable recesses along the riverfront in the biting cold looking for her father’s body.

The four years in-between have been unimaginable.

This is what it’s like living with dementia and mental illness.

He’s getting old, Terri thought when her father’s behaviour began to change. He was only 68.

Retired from the minivan plant, Murray — people called him Gus — was the go-to guy on Malta Road, where he lived.

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/windsor...earches-riverfront-for-her-missing-father/amp

ETA: Photo of Murray (Gus)

 

[Lexiintoronto]

"It's completely out of the norm for him. He hasn't gone anywhere by himself. My brother takes him everywhere he needs to go."

But she did find a note that said, "I'm sorry and I love you all."

While she fears the worst, she will not give up looking for her father.

She is asking anyone who may see him to call police and not to scare him or ask him too many questions.

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/beta.ct...ws/en/local/windsor/2018/11/17/1_4181613.html

 

[Bigred@1971]

Good of you to be keeping the other missing person in mind when you’re searching.

You have to give yourself breaks.

Are you putting up missing posters as you go? In past searches we printed them off and covered them with plastic report covers from the dollar store. Clear packing tape and packing tape gun can be found there as well.

Dog walkers, hikers and joggers might see the posters and may be more vigilant. They might go off the beaten track.

It might help if you and anyone searching can mark on a map where you’ve placed the posters, and searched.

It’s a large area to cover. River searches are challenging because of the fast currents and the resulting soil erosion below, as you probably know.

Are you familiar with the currents in that area? You mentioned a location where the remains of other drowning victims have been found, could you mark that on a map or tell me the specifics so it’s on this thread so I can map it?

Placing this for reference, historical weather data for Windsor:

Weather in November 2018 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada

ETA: It’s a good idea to go out in pairs when looking. Bringing a walking stick is useful. If you find clothing or other items of interest, don’t touch them. Mark location and call the non-emergency police number or 222-tips line if you wish to remain anonymous.

‘Open mind: large net.’

I created missing posters and put them in zip lock bags and fixed them to places with zip ties, I have multiple maps and logged searches with dates, I've also gone to the marinas on the outskirts of town and contacted local news stations. We monitor the temperature of the water with a pool thermometer just for historical data. We also have a web site that we use to show us the depth of the water in the area he may have gone in. We have dragged a net in one area as well. I have driven 60 min outside of Windsor to search along an area that is known for bodies to surface.. no luck but I have not given up and still go on searches with a friend, stick, binoculars and more flyers.. Dec 31 marks day 49 of him missing.

 

[Bigred@1971]

I created missing posters and put them in zip lock bags and fixed them to places with zip ties, I have multiple maps and logged searches with dates, I've also gone to the marinas on the outskirts of town and contacted local news stations. We monitor the temperature of the water with a pool thermometer just for historical data. We also have a web site that we use to show us the depth of the water in the area he may have gone in. We have dragged a net in one area as well. I have driven 60 min outside of Windsor to search along an area that is known for bodies to surface.. no luck but I have not given up and still go on searches with a friend, stick, binoculars and more flyers.. Dec 31 marks day 49 of him missing.

i-Boating : Free Marine Navigation Charts & Fishing Maps

 

[Lexiintoronto]

I created missing posters and put them in zip lock bags and fixed them to places with zip ties, I have multiple maps and logged searches with dates, I've also gone to the marinas on the outskirts of town and contacted local news stations. We monitor the temperature of the water with a pool thermometer just for historical data. We also have a web site that we use to show us the depth of the water in the area he may have gone in. We have dragged a net in one area as well. I have driven 60 min outside of Windsor to search along an area that is known for bodies to surface.. no luck but I have not given up and still go on searches with a friend, stick, binoculars and more flyers.. Dec 31 marks day 49 of him missing.

You’re doing everything you can. I’ve been part of a few searches, and I’m impressed by how much knowledge you have and how you’re applying it.

 

[Darling136]

Body found, confirmed as missing man
Police find body of missing Windsor man after 50 days | CBC News

 

[Lexiintoronto]

Body found, confirmed as missing man
Police find body of missing Windsor man after 50 days | CBC News

Thank you for this update.

My condolences to Bigred@1971 and all of Mr. Banfill’s loved ones. You are a big, loving group of people and I expect that to continue despite this very painful loss.