On a summer morning in Saskatchewan, a 58-year-old man named Wally Berny Giesbrecht began his day with a routine he enjoyed. It was July 6, 2014, and Wally, a resident of Elrose, was staying at a hotel on the Highway 16 bypass in North Battleford. Around 7:00 a.m., he stepped out for a walk, something that was a common practice for him. Before he left, he spoke with the hotel staff, inquiring about the walking bridges that cross the North Saskatchewan River and the paths on Finlayson Island.
Wally was described as a Caucasian male, standing 5'9' tall and weighing 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. On that particular morning, he was wearing a grey t-shirt, beige khaki pants, a black hoodie, and brown suede shoes.
As the hours passed with no sign of his return, his family grew increasingly concerned. It was uncharacteristic of Wally to be gone for such a long time. Taking matters into their own hands, his family began to search for him, but their efforts were unsuccessful. By 10:00 a.m., the North Battleford RCMP were contacted to assist in the search. The search was extensive, focusing on the areas Wally had expressed interest in. The North Battleford Fire Department deployed a boat to search the North Saskatchewan River, while RCMP officers and search teams combed the shoreline and Finlayson Island.
Despite the thorough search efforts by family and authorities, there was no sign of Wally Giesbrecht. For a time, his disappearance remained an active missing person case. Sadly, Wally was later located deceased. A memorial service was held to honor his life on June 20, 2015, at the Zion Mennonite Church. Born on May 26, 1956, Wally was a skilled autobody journeyman for over four decades and had a passion for restoring antique vehicles. He was a husband, a father to two sons, and a cherished member of his family and community. The case, which began with a man setting out for a simple morning walk, is now closed.Last Seen: Jul 6, 2014
