Ariel Kouakou: 7 years later, family hopes new poster will help find missing boy

It has been seven years since 10-year-old Ariel Kouakou disappeared while walking to a friend’s house in Montreal’s Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough.

Thursday, the Missing Children’s Network, in collaboration with the Kouakou family, Montreal police (SPVM) and others, unveiled an updated poster of the boy in the hopes he’ll finally be found.

• READ MORE: Montreal police end water search for missing 10-year-old boy

“March 12 marked the seventh anniversary of Ariel’s disappearance,” said the Missing Children’s Network. “His absence remains a deep sorrow for his loved ones and for the entire community. This updated poster symbolizes our collective commitment to never forget Ariel.”

The poster was installed at the junction of Henri-Bourassa Boulevard and de l’Acadie Avenue at the entrance of Parc Marcelin-Wilson, near where he was last seen.

“It draws my hope that something will be done,” said his father Frederic Kouakou.

“The new picture is a very, very important picture because for us, it’s going to give us more information,” said Montreal police (SPVM) chief Fady Dagher. “I’m convinced we’re going to receive more phone calls.”

Seven long years

Ariel Kouakou was last seen on March 12, 2018, walking to visit a friend a few blocks away.

Surveillance footage captured a person who looked like Kouakou entering the Parc des Bateliers, in Montreal’s north end, but there is no evidence that he ever exited the park.

• READ MORE: A year after Ariel Kouakou disappeared, father defiant he is still alive

During the initial search, police combed through the wooded areas and used icebreakers on the Rivière des Prairies, which runs along the park’s northern shore.

A few weeks later, police ended their river search, saying the waters had become too dangerous for the divers.

In the months following his disappearance, Montreal police received hundreds of tips, but none brought about any answers.

Ariel’s story shocked the community.

“It was particular that he disappeared all of a sudden and there’s no trace of him,” said Missing Children’s Network executive director Melanie Aubut.

• READ MORE: Renewed efforts to find Montreal boy a year after his disappearance

At the time, Ariel was described as 4′6″ tall and 90 lb in weight.

He has brown eyes and black hair and is French-speaking.

He was last seen wearing a black jacket, grey pants and yellow shoes.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call 911, contact their local police station or call Info-Crime Montreal anonymously and confidentially at 514 393 1133.

With files from CTV News Montreal’s Swidda Rassy.