Toronto police say 14-year-old Esther, who had been missing for nearly two weeks from the city’s north end, has been found safe.
Police announced the update in a social media post shortly after 2 p.m. on Thursday. Investigators said more information would be shared at a command post in Earl Bales Park at 3 p.m.
Esther, affectionately known as Esti, was last seen shortly after midnight on May 16 in North York, near Bathurst Street and Hotspur Road, just south of Highway 401. Police said she had been seen about 30 minutes earlier at Earl Bales Park, near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West, heading in a northeasterly direction.
During the search, a media officer told CTV News Toronto that police had received other reported sightings of Esther, but would not reveal where in order not to compromise the investigation.
A Level One police search was launched, with several units involved and a command post established at Earl Bales Park. Community members also took part in the search, putting up posters across the city and helping to spread the word about her disappearance. Volunteers separately set up a command post on Wilson Avenue near Bathurst Street and offered a $25,000 reward for information that would lead to her safe return.
Police described Esther as five feet two inches tall, with a medium build and brown hair. At the time she went missing, she was wearing a turquoise sweater with words on the front and loose grey sweatpants that gathered at the ankles. Police said she may not have been wearing shoes.
Authorities and family members had expressed deep concern for her safety, noting that she is on the autism spectrum. The case prompted a broad search effort across Toronto, with police and residents working together to help locate her.
The safe return of Esther brings relief after an intensive search that drew significant public attention and community support. Police are expected to release additional details later Thursday as the investigation continues.
