Hope is the word being used by Rob Joly when it comes to 2020, the ninth year since his son Luke Joly-Durocher disappeared.
“We hope this year is going to be the year,” Joly said. “We truly believe that [Constable] Dave Wilson and his team are closing in.”
At the time of his disappearance, on March 4, 2011, Luke was 20. This year he would have turned 30 says his father.
“It’s been a long time not having your son in your life,” Joly said. “His sister struggles with it, along with his mom and step-sister and our family too. It’s an ongoing nightmare that you can’t put aside.”
In October, North Bay Police Service (NBPS) announced new evidence in the case. Originally it was believed he had disappeared after being denied entrance to Cecil’s in downtown North Bay. Police then revealed they had discovered that he made his way to Shooters Bar at the Voyager Inn on Delaware Avenue.
From there, Joly-Durocher is believed to have accepted a ride from a patron of the bar. Along with the announcement of the new evidence, NBPS said they were partnering with the OPP to offer a $50,000 reward for information on the case, along with placing billboards across town.
For his father, Rob, the new revelations shine a bit of a light at the end of a very long tunnel.
“We were surprised when they said they were going to put out billboards,” Joly said. “We were so happy that they were keeping the investigation going as some people think it is a cold case but it’s very active. It includes Dave [Wilson] and his team that has grown over the years and it’s a good feeling for our family to know that.”
With his disappearance just over nine years ago, March 4 is not just another day to the family.
“It’s a sad time for us, but this year it seems like it is a happier time,” Joly explained. “We celebrated Luke’s life, and we’re not saying he’s not here but we are just trying to turn things around by lighting a candle, listening to music and just having some good memories of Luke and his upbringing with the family, the birthdays, the get-togethers’ and the camping and stuff like that.”
“The crying is never done,” he continued. “This year I tried to guide the family and tell them that this is a happy time because the following day is his sisters’ birthday. I don’t want to forget about her even though I am so invested in the investigation.”
Much like Constable Dave Wilson with the North Bay Police Service, the family is convinced that the disappearance of Luke can be solved with something as simple as someone coming forward with information.
“When a story goes away, people tend to forget about it,” he said. “My mission as Luke’s father is to keep the word out there. We have a huge social media family that helps us out and I can’t thank them enough. Every time we put a poster out there, or a picture of Luke or information, it’s shared by so many people and we are so grateful.”
“Every time I do it, I think somebody out there that has a bit of information, or who knows who picked up Luke at the Voyager that night will step forward and do the right thing,” Joly added. “If it’s not with police, I often urge them to call Crimestoppers or they can reach out to me on Facebook. Our family has been through enough and I urge them to do the right thing.”