In the winter of 2011, a promising young man named Hamza Nayel Alsharief, a 23-year-old student from Saudi Arabia, was pursuing his dreams of a chemical engineering degree at the University of Saskatchewan. He was last seen in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on December 14, 2011, a day that would mark the beginning of a long and painful period of uncertainty for his family and friends.
Hamza, described as a shy and quiet person who was also friendly and well-liked, had just completed his final exams for the semester. The day he vanished, he had spoken with his sister Laila on the phone, discussing the possibility of spending the upcoming Christmas break together. This would be the last time his family heard from him. The sudden silence was deeply out of character, leaving his loved ones in a state of growing concern.
The investigation into Hamza's disappearance began when he could not be reached. A search of his apartment on 2nd Avenue North revealed that he had left behind his passport, wallet, keys, and one of his two cell phones. These are items that one would typically not leave behind if they were planning a trip, adding to the perplexing nature of his case. In the months that followed, search efforts were undertaken, with family members and representatives from the Saudi Arabian embassy traveling to Saskatoon to assist. In February 2012, a glimmer of a clue emerged when a passerby found a brown winter jacket, believed to have belonged to Hamza, on the walkway of the CP Rail Bridge. This discovery led to the prevailing theory that he may have tragically fallen into the frigid South Saskatchewan River during one of his frequent walks along the riverbank.
Despite extensive searches of the river, including the use of sonar and dog teams hired by the Saudi Arabian embassy, no trace of Hamza has ever been found. The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia also hired a private detective to look into the case. While law enforcement has stated that they have found no evidence of foul play, the complete and sudden nature of his disappearance remains a painful mystery. The case of Hamza Nayel Alsharief is a somber one, marked by the profound loss felt by his family who have been left without answers for over a decade. His sister Laila has expressed the enduring pain of not knowing what happened to her brother, stating, 'It's still very painful. Our happiness, laughter and achievements are nothing as we are still missing him among us. It's like part of our soul is gone.' The investigation remains open, a testament to the hope that one day, answers will be found and his family will have closure.Last Seen: Dec 14, 2011
