Group of youths seen leaving park before ‘suspicious’ death, police say

A group of youths was spotted leaving Hardy Park shortly after a man went missing on Thursday evening, Brockville police say.

Officers saw the youths while responding to a 911 call for assistance at the park between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m., according to Staff- Sgt. Andrew Harvie.

The 911 call was made by Damian Sobieraj, 33, whose body was recovered from the St. Lawrence River off Hardy Park on Friday, Harvie said.

He would not say whether police suspect the youths of being involved in Sobieraj’s death, which police regard as “suspicious.”

“It’s still under investigation; we’re still looking for any possible witnesses,” Harvie said.

When officers arrived at the park on Thursday night, Sobieraj was missing, but his dog was tied to a tree and his car was parked nearby. Police began a search for the missing man with the K9 unit and the Brockville police boat.

The search continued until late afternoon Friday when OPP divers discovered the body right off the shore of Hardy Park.

Meanwhile, friends of Sobieraj’s mother, Iwona, are rallying to help the well-known animal lover and rescuer pay for her son’s funeral.

A Gofundme campaign had raised $16,065 of its $20,000 goal by Monday. In an online post, Sally Mellon Bell describes Iwona Sobieraj as a kind, loving woman who is selfless in her pursuit of saving dogs and cats in need.

“She pulls unwanted animals from high-kill shelters, takes in the lost souls from owners who are no longer able or willing to care for them, and gives them a second chance at a better life,” Mellon Bell said in her post.

Sobieraj’s dedication to animals through her I Am Alive animal rescue comes at a huge financial cost, Mellon Bell said.

The Gofundme appeal shows a picture of Damian cuddling a cat. Online posts say the man shared his mother’s love for animals.