Family members and Indigenous and First Nations leadership called for the public’s help finding Autumn Shaganash on the third anniversary of the Barrie woman’s disappearance. Shaganash, who was last seen at about noon on June 10, 2023, in the Sunnidale Park area, has not been heard from by loved ones since. “Whoever did this to her or whoever knows what happened. Just know that no one is going to stop until we find out the answers,” said cousin Kim Moore at a gathering inside the Hampton Inn in Barrie. It has been three years of tears and anguish for the family, who, with help from loved ones, police, and First Nations leadership have searched tirelessly for Shaganash. The family has hired a private investigator and posted photos of Autumn on buses and billboards across the city, but Shaganash has not been found. “She’s out there and I truly believe she is waiting for us to find her,” said cousin Angel Doucet. “Please come forward and set her free.” Shaganash’s sister Lili has led efforts across the city and online to find her sister to no avail. “You are very missed and very loved. I wish you were home. We were happy,” said Moore who described a sadness having consumed her family that worsens every day. Barrie Police offered a $100,000 reward in December for anyone with information leading to Autumn being found. Her phone was last traced back to Sunnidale Park where Autumn was also captured on surveillance cameras following a man on the street while she carried what appeared to be a set of skis over her shoulder. Shaganash was 26 at the time of her disappearance, her family said. Her family has advocated for more help from the government with thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous men and women across the country. Loved ones revealed Shaganash requires medication and struggled with her mental health and alcohol. Her family has expressed fears Autumn may have been taken against her will and become a victim of human trafficking “Someone has her and whoever has her, please let my baby girl go,” said her mother, Esther Moore. “She has family that loves her and misses her much, dearly. It has a big effect on our lives and it’s not the same without her around.” Her mother and uncle want Autumn to reach out and escape if she is being held captive. “Let us know that you’re okay,” urged Shaganash’s uncle Clarence Moore. “Call grandma. Grandma still has the same phone number. She’s waiting for you to call.” Her sister Lili believes someone knows what happened to Autumn and has the answers her family deserves. “You can’t hide this kind of stuff forever. I hope if someone out there knows where she is, knows what’s going on,” said Moore. Continuing to pray for her return home, Autumn’s loved ones urge anyone with information to come forward to police or Crime Stoppers.
