Photo Credit: Angie Raphael

By Sam Bennison

Saik'uz First Nation

Loved ones to hold a ‘March for Jay’ in honour of his disappearance

Feb 2, 2024 | 1:04 PM

Northern B.C.—On February 25, 2023, Jay Preston Raphael walked away from his residence on the Saik’uz First Nation. He has not been seen since.

On the anniversary of his disappearance his family is still looking for answers. A March for Jay will be held on February 25, in Vanderhoof to raise awareness for missing people in the community and across the province and remind families of missing people to never give up hope that one day they may find answers.

“Jay was one of the kindest people you could ever meet, I’ve never heard anyone have anything bad to say about him never mind want to hurt him, he would give you the shirt off his back in freezing weather if you asked.” says Shelby Hately, organizer of the march. “Jay isn’t just another statistic on the highway of tears, he’s a father, a son, a brother, he is someone’s family and he deserves to come home. We deserve to have answers.”

Photo Credit: RCMP

Jay Preston Raphael is described as:

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• 175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
• 65 kg (143 lbs)
• Black hair
• Brown eyes

He was last seen wearing:

• Black coat,
• Blue jeans,
• Black runners,
• Baseball hat.

The family is asking that if anyone has any information that may lead to locating Jay Preston Raphael to come forward and contact the Vanderhoof RCMP at 250-567-222, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com