Longtime worker at John’s Place vanishes, sparking police search
As the search continues for a John’s Place restaurant employee, his sister sits more than 6,000 kilometres away, desperately waiting for news.
Ariannah Armstrong, who lives in Halifax, was likely the last person to speak to Robert Shepherd on Sunday during one of their weekly phone calls.
Shepherd, 49, was quiet and mentioned that John’s Place was closing for a couple of days, giving him some days off, Armstrong said.
When Armstrong was contacted by Liz Willis, a co-worker at the restaurant on Monday who was worried after Shepherd didn’t show up to work, his sister realized he had given her misinformation.
Willis asked for Shepherd’s phone number and when she called his landline, discovered it had been disconnected.
His co-workers went to his apartment and found it empty.
His cellphone was in the apartment but he had taken his wallet and backpack, Armstrong said.
Shepherd’s disappearance was reported to Victoria police, who have been looking for him since Monday.
Restaurant staff have been searching incessantly, going to all the places Shepherd is known to frequent.
“His co-wokers are great, they love him as if he was one of their own,” Armstrong said.
“I couldn’t be more grateful for them reporting him missing and making sure the police know everything they can to find him.”
Shepherd has worked as a dishwasher at John’s Place for 15 years and had a disagreement with a co-worker during his shift on Friday.
Shepherd had been struggling since the death of his twin brother, Alfie, in February 2016, his sister said.
The two had lived together their whole lives, even into adulthood.
“They’ve been close friends all their lives,” Armstrong said. “Life hasn’t been the same for him.”
Armstrong thinks there’s a chance her brother might have travelled to Salt Spring Island. The siblings grew up in foster homes and a foster home on Salt Spring Island was the last place all three lived together.
“It was the best part of our childhood,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong has spent the last three days checking for updates on the Internet.
She recorded an emotional YouTube video addressing Shepherd directly.
“If you’re anywhere near a TV or anywhere you can see this, please listen. Please come home … Robbie, I love you so much, I miss you.”
Anyone who sees Armstrong is asked to call 911.