In the spring of 1981, 24-year-old Rene Bernard Laflamme was filled with plans for the future. He was preparing to move across the country from Quebec to Vancouver, British Columbia, to be with his girlfriend who had recently relocated. His family described him as being very close to them, particularly his mother, and it was uncharacteristic for him to be out of touch.
In late May, Rene traveled from his family's home in Ottawa, Ontario, to Montreal, Quebec, a city where he had been living. The purpose of this trip was to collect a welfare check that would help finance his move out west. He was last seen in Montreal around May 29, 1981. He had made arrangements with a friend to get a ride part of the way to British Columbia on May 31st, the same day he was expected to return to Ottawa to gather his belongings. However, Rene never made it back to his mother's house and he never met his friend for the planned ride.
As the days turned into weeks with no word from Rene, his family grew increasingly worried. His constant communication with his mother had ceased abruptly, a clear sign that something was wrong. The family's concern prompted them to report him missing. The investigation that followed uncovered few leads. At the time of his disappearance, Rene was described as a 24-year-old Caucasian male, standing at 5'6' and weighing approximately 150 pounds. He had black, straight hair that had recently been permed, and brown eyes. He had a scar on his right leg. The investigation into his disappearance involved both the Montreal and Ottawa police services. Despite their efforts, there were no immediate answers as to what had happened to Rene.
The years that followed were filled with uncertainty for Rene's loved ones. His case eventually grew cold, but his family never gave up hope of finding out what happened to him. Decades after he was last seen, the case remains an open and active investigation. In 2014, law enforcement met with family members to obtain DNA samples, a modern tool that could potentially help identify Rene if any unidentified remains were to be found. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain a mystery. He was on the cusp of a new life, with plans and people waiting for him. His sudden and complete silence was not in his nature, leaving a void and a series of unanswered questions for his family. The overview of the case is one of a young man with a promising future ahead of him who vanished without a trace after a short trip to tie up loose ends before a major life change.Last Seen: Jun 1, 1981
