‘We still have no solid answers’: Family still searching for missing man with Down syndrome

It’s been years since Nathan Wise, a man with Down syndrome with ties to Waterloo Region, went missing from the streets of Toronto. CTV’s Hannah Schmidt reports

The family of Nathan Wise, who disappeared without a trace three years ago, is hoping renewed attention will bring closure to his case.

The 37-year-old was last seen in Toronto on May 12, 2023, near Jane Street and Sheppard Avenue West in North York.

Where he went next remains a mystery.

“It’s a difficult time for us,” his cousin Jason Babcock said in May 2026. “We just want some answers so we can bring him home.”

Search efforts

The disappearance triggered an immediate response.

Nathan, who has Down syndrome, functioned at the level of a seven-year-old and needed additional supports. As a result, a Level Three search was launched in the North York neighbourhood where he was last seen. That is the highest level for any missing person.

“Nathan has Down syndrome and his cognitive function is diminished,” Duty. Insp. Ryan Forde told CTV News on May 16, 2023. “This is extremely concerning for the Toronto Police Service and his family.”

Days later, a family contact told CTV News they had reason to believe Nathan was making his way to Kitchener-Waterloo, where he used to live, because the family heard of a possible sighting in southeast Guelph, around Gordon Street and Clair Road.

The search area covered more than 100 kilometres – from where Nathan went missing in Toronto to Waterloo Region – and more than 100 volunteers took part in the effort.

The Guelph Police Service also received a tip from Toronto police that Nathan was seen in The Ward neighbourhood and officers canvassed the area for surveillance video.

On June 3, 2023, volunteers combed the woods and thick brush in Campbellville, just west of Milton, an area his family said he knew well.

In the end, there was no sign of Nathan or where he might have gone.

‘We love you. We want you home’

Nathan moved to Toronto to live with his sister following the death of his father. However, he still maintained a close connection to his cousins Jason and Alison Babcock in Kitchener.

“Just reach out to us,” Alison urged. “You’re not in trouble. We love you. We want you home. Reach out to anybody that you feel safe [with] — police, fire, ambulance — anybody.”

Nathan’s orange sweater still hangs on a coat rack in Alison’s home, a symbol she holds on to.

“It’s just a hope that he can come and get it,” she admitted.

According to Jason and Alison, Nathan received Ontario disability support payments but, because Nathan’s sister managed his finances, it is not clear what happened to the money after his disappearance.

They hope that someone, somewhere, has information that can help bring closure.

“He just disappeared without a trace,” Jason said. “There’s something out there. Somebody knows something.”

Investigation remains active

The Toronto Police Service said it is still actively investigating Nathan’s disappearance.

“The family continue to be in communication with police and have been co-operative with this investigation,” a statement to CTV News read, in part. “We would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the community for their continued support. The hundreds of tips received to date reflect a strong collective commitment to missing person investigations.”

Jason said he regularly reaches out about the case.

“The investigation is going well. We do hear from Toronto police. They still keep us in the loop.”

Seeking answers

Please Bring Me Home Canada, a volunteer-run organization dedicated to missing persons and cold cases, has worked with the family to organize private searches for Nathan.

“Since taking over the case, our work has been exhaustive. We have conducted extensive interviews with a wide array of individuals who were part of Nathan’s inner circle, including members of his support network, caregivers and those who knew him through his community and social groups,” explained Jim Barry, a member of the investigative team. “We have also conducted detailed canvassing in both Waterloo [Region] and North York to reconstruct his daily routines. Our primary goal has been to move beyond the initial search areas and build a comprehensive, minute-by-minute timeline of Nathan’s life leading up to his disappearance.”

Barry said that, when investigating cases of this nature, they look at all factors in the missing person’s life, including their environment and support structure.

“As part of our process of reconstructing Nathan’s life and the changes in his care network, we have noted various transitions in his community,” he explained. “Our focus remains entirely on any information that relates to Nathan’s whereabouts and well-being.”

The focus now is on examining all possible movements in the hours and days after Nathan was last seen.

“We have established a very strong timeline up to a certain point, but there is a critical window we are still working to fully illuminate,” Barry said. “We know Nathan was last seen on March 11, 2023, and last communicated via text on March 29, 2023. We are looking for any information regarding his activities or any potential sightings in the period immediately following that March 29th communication. Even a single confirmed sighting during that window could change the entire trajectory of this investigation.”

This is part of an ongoing series focused on missing persons and cold cases in Waterloo Region and southwestern Ontario. For more stories, check out Unsolved 519.