Fifty years after a university student disappeared from his apartment in Sudbury, Ontario, his family is appealing any information that could finally lead to answers and closures.
Jane Smith was a 20 -year -old student at Laurentian University and aspiring social workers, says her family.
He was last seen on August 9, 1975 in his apartment in the basement in Charlotte Street by his roommate around 2 in the morning, and was reported as missing that morning.
In addition to what Smith was wearing at that time, nothing was taken out of his room, says his younger brother John, who lives in Bradford, Ontario. His bank accounts have never been played.
“It was devastating for all of us, especially not knowing, the lack of anything,” he said.
John said he is looking for answers for his mother, who is now 91 years old. While the whole family has been deeply affected by Smith’s disappearance, he said it has been particularly painful for her.
“I never want to imagine what someone would go to lose their daughter and then never know,” said Katie Smith, John’s daughter and Jane’s niece.
“Losing is one thing, never knowing is another.”
Given the time that has passed since his aunt disappeared, Katie said he believes that someone who is coming with new information is the only way in which the disappearance of his aunt will be resolved.
“The family would always be grateful for anyone to show up and say something,” he said.
“There is no trial. We would simply like answers.”
CBC Toronto has communicated with the Great Sudbury Police Service for an update on the case and will update this story if we receive an answer.
‘A true Go-Getter’
John remembers his sister as a bubbling and always smiling.
Smith volunteered for several causes and was chosen for the Student Council of Laurentian University during his first year. The summer that disappeared, had decided to stay in Sudbury and was working on a local Canadian tire.
“She was a true entrepreneur,” John said. “She was someone who wanted to make a difference.”
He said he believes that his sister escapes and then not contact his family for fifty years.
“I don’t think he was in his nature,” he said. “As far as I know, I was happy and he really liked being in Sudbury.”
Meanwhile, both Katie and her sister, Jennifer Smith, say they have felt the loss of an aunt they never knew.
They have heard stories about her, even of childhood friends, who paint the image of “such a charming person,” Jennifer said.
“She would have been a great influence on our lives,” he said.
Katie and Jennifer said they have seen the weight of Smith’s disappearance in her father and grandmother.
“It’s not something they really enjoy talking because they loved her a lot,” Katie said.
He recalled an incident where the Sudbury police called his grandmother and left a voice email. They were calling to ask if they could publish information about Smith’s disappearance online, but their grandmother thought the police had found her.
“See how annoying I was and knowing that all I wanted was the closing … that was really heartbreaking, and [is] Something that we want to make sure it really happens one day, “Katie said.
The 50th anniversary of Smith’s disappearance feels like the final opportunity to encourage people to present themselves, their nieces said. Smith would have turned 70 in March this year, and his nieces think that anyone who has information would be around the same age.
“[We’re] Only with the hope that any pressure they felt are not there and are willing to say something, “Katie said.
Even smaller details could be useful, the family said.
“People’s memories are fading or unfortunately died,” Jennifer said. “Before losing more information, we would like to be able to recover something.”
They also expect to listen to stories about Smith of friends and people who met her.
“That way we can cling to your memory a little better,” Jennifer said.
Smith was described as five feet and four inches high with reddish brown hair and blue eyes at the time of his disappearance, according to the Sudbury website Crime Stoppers. He had a small round scar between his eyebrows and wore contact lenses.
He was last seen with a blue sweatshirt with zipper, bag and hood, Wrangler blue jeans and red puma racing shoes. She also had a large black shoulder bag.
Any person with information can communicate with the Sudbury Police or leave an anonymous advice with Crime Stoppers.
