The search for missing Pond Inlet teenager Rico Akpaleapik restarted Friday for the first time since October 2024, according to the RCMP.
A higher-than-normal police presence will descend on Pond Inlet along with rescue volunteers, Nunavut Emergency Management (NEM), the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary and low-flying helicopters.
"Search efforts were hampered last fall due to weather and snow conditions. The search will resume as conditions are more favourable," RCMP Sgt. George Henrie, of Nunavut RCMP media relations, told Nunavut News.
The Akpaleapik family, the RCMP, and NEM all agreed it was time to start looking again, Henrie stated.
Akpaleapik was 15 when he was reported missing on Oct. 4, 2024, two days after he was last seen. The search was called off on Oct. 29 after no traces of him were found.
He was last known to be wearing a grey hoodie, black pants, blue headphones and black shoes in Pond Inlet, the RCMP said at the time.
The previous search included aerial drones, all-terrain vehicles and a police dog unit that was flown in from Quebec.
RCMP and partner agencies like NEM and the Canadian Coast Guard collectively decide when to call off a search.
Akpaleapik's disappearance continues to be treated as a missing person’s case, police said.
If members of the public want to provide information on his disappearance, they can reach the Pond Inlet RCMP at 867-899-0123.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)