On June 26, 1969, 16-year-old Anthony Philip Porter — known as Philip — left his family home on Giegerich Road in the Kimberley Townsite around 1:00 p.m. to run an errand for his mother and pick up groceries. He was expected home by 5:30 p.m. but never returned. The last confirmed sighting showed him carrying a bag of groceries near the house.

That evening the Porters received a telephone ransom demand for $100,000 and were warned not to contact police; a typed note followed reading BOY ALIVE WELL. MISSES MOTHER. SMARTEN UP IF YOU WANT HIM BACK ALIVE. YOU WERE TOLD NOT TO CALL COPS JUNE 26. DUMB. A later note gave instructions for a money drop. Hundreds of volunteers and the RCMP searched the area, which includes deep, abandoned mine shafts, but turned up no trace. Reports of sightings surfaced over the years but none were substantiated. Philip was described as slightly intellectually disabled and unhappy about the family’s planned move to Trail.

The disappearance remains an open investigation and a lasting wound for the Kimberley community. If anyone knew Philip, his movements that afternoon, or has information about the ransom communications, please come forward.