Police await forensic results on remains
Marine unit was conducting search for missing teen Quintin Bingley, who disappeared last May
There is no word yet on the identity of remains found in the Welland Canal Jan. 4 during a police search for a missing teen.
Niagara Regional Police found the skeletal remains on the second day of searching the nearly drained canal between locks 1 and 2 in St. Catharines after St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. closed the channel to shipping for the season.
“We recognize that there has been significant interest in this story by the community,” Const. Phil Gavin said. “We cannot provide the answer that so many want because we do not have the information at this point.”
The discovered remains are undergoing forensic examination. Gavin said when police do receive information about to whom the remains belong, the priority will be to communicate and give support to next of kin.
Members of the NRP’s marine and underwater unit started scanning the shore of the canal from Lock 1 south to Lock 2 on Jan. 3.
Quintin Bingley, 18, was last seen at his home at about 11 p.m. May 25. 2018. Bingley’s home is in the area of Parnell Road and Pearce Avenue, not far from the canal.
Police consider Bingley a missing person.
“We do not know the whereabouts of Quintin Bingley,” Gavin said. “He remains missing. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives.”
In the days following Bingley’s disappearance, police canvassed the neighbourhood by foot and brought a drone to search the area from the air. Bingley has an earring in his left ear and an arrow tattoo on his right forearm. The Governor Simcoe Secondary School student was set to graduate and was last seen wearing a light coloured T-shirt with khaki shorts and may or may not be wearing shoes. He left without his wallet or phone.
The family eventually hired private investigators to help with their search, which was aided by friends, family and well-wishers.