‘We don’t give up on our children’
Parents acknowledge kindness of those helping in the search for Newfoundland man missing in B.C. since Oct. 10
ST. JOHN’S — Jordan Naterer’s parents are not giving up on finding their son.
Jordan — who lived in St. John’s for almost a decade before moving to Vancouver about two years ago — disappeared in British Columbia almost three weeks ago.
“We still have time. It’s only Day 20,” his mother, Josie Naterer, said Wednesday. “Jordan is a smart boy. He’s a survivor.”
During a telephone interview with The Telegram Wednesday from Vancouver — where they’ve been staying for the past two weeks — Josie and her husband, Greg Naterer, both broke down in tears as they expressed their despair about not being able to find their son.
“It’s our responsibility as his mother and father to find him,” Josie said. “We don’t give up on our children.”
The 25-year-old Jordan — a 2018 Memorial University (MUN) engineering graduate who obtained a master’s degree from the University of British Columbia this year — was last seen leaving his Vancouver apartment on Oct. 10.
It’s believed he set out for a solo hike on Frosty Mountain Trail in Manning Provincial Park, about two hours east of Vancouver, but he didn’t leave a trip plan. When he didn’t show up for Thanksgiving dinner with friends two days later, the search began.
His bank card records indicate he bought camping gear days before, and a cup of coffee at the Manning Park resort that day.
The search involved the Vancouver Police Department, along with Hope RCMP, Hope Search and Rescue, Princeton RCMP, Emergency Management BC and B.C. Parks. When all efforts were exhausted, the search was called off on Oct. 17.
However, volunteers and private companies with a helicopter and drone hired by the family continued to look for Jordan. When a hat, a bag and down material similar to the kind in his jacket, were found, the official search was reactivated.
However, Greg Naterer told The Telegram that the family was again left heartbroken when they found out Monday that authorities had once again called off the search.
“There are no words to express how devastated we felt,” said Greg, the dean of engineering at MUN. “They suspended it a second time, but we didn’t find out until Monday.”
Vancouver police media spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin told The Telegram decisions are based on consultation with the search-andrescue experts, whether new information is available and the safety of the searchers.
“All public safety partners continue to be in regular contact and will evaluate search options as the weather
changes and/or new information becomes available,” she said.
The Naterers are now focusing their energy on looking for their son with private companies and volunteers.
“We believe we have a very strong team put together,” said Josie, noting the team members’ safety is a priority. “They’re a group of skilled professionals.”
The search is covering a large area. Manning Park — rated as a difficult hiking area — is about 50 square kilometres of rugged terrain, dense forest and mountains, including Frosty Mountain Peak that has an elevation of 2,300 metres at the peak and 1,400 metres at the base, where Jordan is believed to have started his hike.
However, Greg said there is a possibility Jordan got disoriented and went outside the park boundary and headed south across the United States border.
He said the ground searches have been mainly focused on drainages, which are the water sources.
“We think if Jordan still had the strength, he would’ve realized quickly he needs to get to a water source,” he said. “But there are still areas on the ground which have been not checked, or not checked enough, and that’s where we’re focusing on the private search at this time.”
Weather has also become a big factor. A week ago, the area was hit with a snowstorm. It has been sunny the last few days with warmer temperatures, he said, but the snow has made it difficult for searchers to walk through certain areas.
“Jordan has all the resources to survive,” Josie said. “I firmly believe he’s hurt and he’s hunkered down somewhere. That’s why we haven’t seen him somewhere.”
Jordan had high-quality equipment on his hike, including a tent, thermal clothing and a sleeping bag.
“He was well prepared for an overnight hike in cold weather,” Greg said. “So, it’s possible to survive this out there.”
He said their private search has been made possible by the generous donations of others.
“We are very grateful to all the kind-hearted and very generous people who have given so much and allowed us to continue this search,” Greg said, his voice quivering.
He said three companies, in particular — jSonar Inc., Jordan’s employer, Fortis in St. John’s and the Genoa Company in Mount Pearl, along with other smaller groups and individuals, have stepped up with financial donations.
When asked if they have a timeline in mind when they would give up the search if there’s still no sign of Jordan, he said, “We’re struggling with this because on one hand, we won’t give up, but on the other hand, everyone has a breaking point.
“We’re hopeful, but we’re also realistic. We know the window of time is getting smaller and we have two beautiful daughters at home (in St. John’s) and we have to think about the well-being of our family. But we haven’t come to that point of getting plane tickets back (to St. John’s). We’re still going to search.”