On the late evening of July 18, 1981, 41-year-old Indigenous man Jerry Torarak fell from a boat about 15 miles off the coast while returning to Hopedale from an area known as Railroads. Around 11:15 p.m. his family watched him sink out of sight into dark, cold water and he was never recovered.

At the time he was wearing a black nylon parka, black nylon snow pants, and black rubber boots. He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, about 154 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, and a burn scar on his neck. The Hopedale detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has kept his file active.

The loss was described as sudden and accidental at sea; no recovery has been reported and the disappearance has remained an open case passed down in the community. If anyone knew Jerry, was on that boat, or has information about the night he went overboard, please share what you know.