Kateye Investigations

05/15/2026

James Candy was 17 years old when he disappeared from his family home near Vegreville, Alberta, during the early morning hours of August 7, 2017.

According to family, James had been facing personal struggles and uncertainty about his future, but there had been no arguments or issues at home prior to his disappearance. He was last known to be in his room around 11:00 p.m. the night before. By the next morning, he was gone.

It is believed James left sometime overnight through his bedroom window. A note was later found inside his room after family members searched the property and surrounding area.

Large-scale efforts were carried out in the area over the years, including ground searches and the use of specialized search dogs, but no trace of James has ever been found.

James reportedly left behind nearly all of his belongings. The only items believed to be missing with him were a cowboy hat, a rope lasso, and a Swiss Army knife.

There has never been any evidence to suggest foul play.

James is described as:
• 5’8”
• 112 lbs
• Blonde hair
• Blue eyes

He also had a scar on his right knee from a previous chainsaw accident.

At the time he disappeared, James was believed to be wearing:
• A grey shirt
• Blue jacket
• Dark blue jeans
• Cowboy hat

05/07/2026

05/07/2026

Please keep searching....💔 Don't give up.... The family and friends of a man who went missing in the Johnston Canyon area of Banff National Park on Friday, May 1, are expressing some frustration over the decision to end the search for him, after he was presumed to have drowned....😔

The man’s girlfriend, Nicolette Babbe, identified the missing man as 25-year-old Pavlo Shemchuk, who was originally from Ukraine, but has been living in Pennsylvania and Arizona for the past few years.

RCMP said they received a call around 6:40 p.m. on Friday from someone who told them a man had jumped into the rapids in Johnston Canyon — a popular tourist spot, located about 30 minutes west of the town of Banff — but he didn’t resurface.

▶️On Monday, Parks Canada announced, following an extensive search of the river and area, recovery efforts were being suspended and the man was presumed to have died.◀️

Parks Canada also announced Monday that the trails and area, which had been closed during the search, have also been reopened to the public.

On Tuesday, the victim’s girlfriend sent a email to Global News saying “very little information has been provided regarding whether search operations will resume.”

“This is an extremely difficult time for the family,” said Babbe, adding that Shemchuk’s family is “urgently seeking public awareness and support in hopes of continuing search efforts and bringing him home.”

Global News sent an inquiry to Parks Canada asking if and when efforts to recover the man’s body might resume.

Parks Canada responded with an emailed statement that said “Parks Canada Visitor Safety specialists, supported by law enforcement and partner agencies, conducted an extensive search of the area, including the upper and lower pools at the Lower Falls. Despite these efforts, the individual has not been located.”

“Due to ongoing hazardous water conditions, all feasible search efforts have been exhausted at this time, and recovery operations have been suspended,” the statement added.

As for the possibility of people searching for the missing man on their own, Parks Canada said it “advises the public to remain on designated trails for their own safety and the safety of others, and not to put themselves at risk by going off trail.”

Any relevant information or reports, said the statement, should be directed to Banff Dispatch emergency at 403-762-4506.

Author - Ken MacGillivray

05/07/2026

Twenty-four-year-old Natanis Merasty was reported missing by her family on May 9, 2025. The Edmonton Police Service assumed conduct of the investigation on May 22 and continues to coordinate with agencies across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, as the movements connected to her disappearance span multiple provinces.

Natanis was last seen in the early morning hours of May 5, 2025, at the Continental Inn near 166 Street and Stony Plain Road in Edmonton.

Surveillance footage shows that at 1:22 a.m., Natanis left the hotel driving her black 2007 Hyundai Tucson with Saskatchewan licence plates. The vehicle briefly returned to the location at approximately 1:30 a.m., before leaving again at 2:37 a.m. At 2:55 a.m., CCTV captured Natanis at a 7-Eleven located near 156 Street and 107 Avenue. This is the last confirmed sighting of her.

Investigators have since released details outlining the route her vehicle took after leaving Edmonton. The Hyundai Tucson was observed traveling through Sherwood Park, Buck Lake, Nordegg, and Lake Louise. On May 6, the vehicle continued into British Columbia. On May 7, it boarded a ferry to Nanaimo, B.C. The vehicle later returned to the Edmonton region on May 10, was seen west of Lloydminster on May 12, and on May 15 was located abandoned and repainted at James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan.

Police have not confirmed who was driving the vehicle at any point along this route.

The discovery of the vehicle in a different colour and abandoned has led investigators to deem Natanis’s disappearance suspicious. Officers believe that someone who saw either Natanis or her vehicle during this multi-day journey may have critical information.

Natanis Merasty is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, approximately 170 pounds, with brown eyes and medium-length brown hair. She has an average build. When she was last seen, she was wearing black clothing and white shoes. She has several identifiable tattoos, including a cross on her forearm, a flower on the top of her right hand, and lettering across her fingers.

Her family has stated that it is out of character for her to be out of contact and that they are deeply concerned for her safety.

Anyone with information about Natanis Merasty or her vehicle between May 5 and May 15, 2025, is asked to contact:
📞 Edmonton Police Service: 780-423-4567
📞 Crime Stoppers (Anonymous): 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

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05/07/2026

Thomas Andrew Grise was 59 years old when he was last seen in the Valleyview area of Alberta.

Thomas was last seen in May 2021, in the area of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. He was reported missing shortly after and has not been seen or heard from since.

At the time of his disappearance, Thomas did not have a permanent residence and was known to travel between Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek, and Edmonton. His familiarity with these areas has made it difficult to determine where he may have gone.

Thomas is described as approximately 5’8”–5’10” and around 200–210 lbs, with brown eyes and brown or greying hair. He may have facial hair. He has scars on his head, right hand, and around his eyes, which may be noticeable.

He was last known to be wearing a grey hooded sweater.

Thomas may also use the names Tom, Timothy, Andres, or Ander, and the last names Griese or Ducharme.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Thomas Andrew Grise, please contact:
📞 Valleyview RCMP: 780-524-3343 (File # 2021022793)
📞 Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477

📣 Please LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE.
It boosts visibility and supports families searching for answers.
🕊️ Follow for case updates & alerts across Alberta.

05/06/2026

Call Out for Facilitators – Drum Making

CKAM Main Office – Driftpile is currently looking for a Drum Making Facilitator.

Interested facilitators are asked to please send all information to:

📧 [email protected]

For any questions, please call:

📞 780-507-5018

🗓️ End Date: May 20

We look forward to hearing from facilitators who can help provide a meaningful Indigenous drum making experience for our community.