🟢 LOCATED SAFE!! – Updated information on missing youth from Prince George area…

Good News!! 12 year-old Luke has been found in the Hixon area the BC RCMP confirms. We have removed Luke’s photo. As of 6:50 PM March 26.

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PRINCE GEORGE, BC: The media has been updated on the missing boy from the Prince George region, including an updated age…

The Prince George RCMP and Prince George Search and Rescue are continuing their efforts to search for 12 year-old Prince George area resident, Luke.

Luke went missing from his family home in Hixon at approximately 5:30 PM on March 24, 2021.

Search and Rescue has a team of more than 35 volunteers from across the region searching for Luke. Volunteers have come from 100 Mile House, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Fort St. James and Houston to help with search efforts. Ground searchers are currently using an open-grid search method. At this time, Search and Rescue is not putting a call out to the public for additional searchers.

“Crews are working with extremely hilly and deep terrain in some areas and clear cuts or dense brush in other places. There is everything from thigh-deep snow on an adult to bare ground. The numerous creeks and rivers in the region are also factors we are dealing with. Search and Rescue crews are using ATVs, side-by-sides and even horses to increase their search area,” said Search and Rescue Coordinator Dave Merritt.

The Prince George RCMP has several members on scene coordinating police efforts with Search and Rescue crews. Investigators are utilizing the RCMP helicopter, Air 3, and our Police Dog Service team is on standby to assist with tracking.

“We are concerned that Luke may have attempted to hitch hike with a stranger, making us worried for his safety. There is also the very real possibility that he is still within the area where Search and Rescue is concentrating their efforts. Our concern is that there would be exposure to the cold overnight, as temperatures fell to -1 degrees Celsius during the last two days,” states Cst. Jennifer Cooper, spokesperson for the Prince George RCMP.

The Prince George RCMP and Search and Rescue crews will continue their search efforts south of Hixon.

“We continue to share information about this file with our BC policing partners and neighbouring detachments, particularly those near Prince George Detachment area, in the event Luke is seen elsewhere in the province,” said Cst. Jennifer Cooper.

If you believe you have seen Luke or know of his whereabouts, please call your local police detachment immediately. Please be advised that Luke may not comprehend conversation at his own age level.

The Prince George RCMP would like to correct an error that was made in our first release; Luke is currently 12 years old, not 13 as was originally stated.