Summary based on the NamUs case record (can2009000299) and
1 other sourceOn a crisp autumn evening, a weekend of seasonal chores at a cottage on Fox Island would end in a way no one could have foreseen. On Sunday, November 5, 1989, 47-year-old George William Giles and a friend departed from the island around 5:30 p.m., setting out on Giles's boat across the waters of Lake Simcoe. Their destination was the Days Marina in Island Grove, situated on the lake's south shore.
The weather, however, had turned treacherous, and as they made their way, large waves began to swamp their vessel, partially submerging it and leaving them in a perilous situation far from the safety of the marina.
Faced with a life-threatening scenario, the two men made the difficult decision to abandon their boat and attempt to swim back to the familiar shores of Fox Island. Using gasoline cans to help them stay afloat, they battled the turbulent, cold water. Tragically, in the struggle against the waves and the elements, George Giles became separated from his friend. While his companion ultimately made it back to the island and was able to contact the police from Giles's cottage, Giles himself was never seen again. He was wearing a black 'Yamaha' jacket at the time of the incident.
An extensive search was launched by police and volunteers that same night and continued in the days that followed, but there was no sign of George Giles. He is presumed to have drowned in the unforgiving waters of Lake Simcoe. Nearly two weeks later, on November 16, the boat was discovered beached on a sandbar near Orillia, a somber reminder of the events that had transpired. Despite the passage of time, the body of George William Giles has never been recovered, leaving his case as an open and unresolved tragedy. The investigation into his disappearance remains with the York Regional Police, a cold case that serves as a heartbreaking testament to the power of nature and the fragility of life.Last Seen: Nov 5, 1989
