THUNDER BAY — Family members and city police are hoping for information from the public that will help them find Joseph Alexander Lawson, nearly a year after the 65-year-old man was last seen.
A news conference was held Thursday morning by Thunder Bay Police Service investigators and Lawson's family members, announcing that a tip line has been established and that rewards have been established for any information that leads to his location.
Commonly known as Alex or AJ, Lawson's last confirmed sighting was on Nov. 27, 2022, in the 200 block of Madeline Street.
Kimberly Lawson was overwhelmed with emotion as she addressed the media about her missing father. She announced that on behalf of Lac Seul First Nation, there would be a $10,000 reward in addition to the one that police are providing. Both Lawson and his daughter are band members of the First Nation.
"We are approaching a year that he's been missing since his disappearance, and we are asking anybody with information to please come forward and do the right thing," she said.
"Help, help us bring our dad home."
The Thunder Bay Police Services Board has also approved a $5,000 reward.
Thunder Bay Police Service Det.-Insp. Jeremy Pearson said investigators have been reaching out nationwide to find answers.
"We have had reported sightings that we've been able to follow up with our policing partners essentially as far out as the west coast," Pearson said. "There has been nationwide traction to this story."
Multiple search efforts have been conducted in the past year.
"We utilized drone searches, canine searches, physical searches as well as, of course, doing all of our background investigation into banking information, telephone records, every avenue that we can think to explore we are doing and we'll continue to do so as new information comes forward." said Pearson.
Police have released new video footage of Lawson at the request of the family.
Pearson hopes someone will recognize him or his movements.
"This video is from our last confirmed sighting, and it shows his gait, his manner of movement in the hopes that perhaps seeing him in motion will trigger recognition in someone who may have may have seen Mr Lawson," he said.
A dedicated tip line has been set up in relation to the missing person case 807-684-1055.
Anyone with information can also contact Thunder Bay Police directly or submit a tip through Crime Stoppers.
