UMVA has learned that the Toronto Police Service's new $134-million Airbus H135 helicopter, touted as a game-changer in finding missing persons, has yet to be deployed in the search for 14-year-old Esther, who has been missing for nearly a week.
The helicopter, funded by the provincial government, was unveiled in October 2024 with great fanfare, and Police Chief Myron Demkiw touted its benefits in locating vulnerable, missing persons. But despite the urgency of Esther's case, the helicopter has been noticeably absent from the search efforts, leaving many to wonder why.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the police have been using other resources, including marine and mounted units, heat-seeking drones, and the K9 Unit, to aid in the search. However, the helicopter, which was supposed to be a key asset in such cases, has not been used, sparking concerns about its deployment and the transparency of the police's search strategy.
Esther, a gentle soul who makes friends easily, was last seen inside Earl Bales Park, and her parents, Shira and Joseph, are frantically searching for her. The search has now shifted from North York to downtown Toronto, with volunteers being asked to hand out missing posters and put them on poles and in storefronts.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Toronto Police Service has upgraded the search to a Level One designation, which gives them more tools to aid in the search. However, the police have yet to comment on why the helicopter has not been used, leaving the public in the dark about the status of this critical resource.
The community is eager for answers, and the police need to provide clarity on how they deploy their resources, especially in cases as urgent as Esther's. The public deserves to know what the status is of the police helicopter and why it hasn’t been noticeably deployed in this case.
As the search for Esther continues, one thing is clear: the police have a critical role to play in finding her, and the public needs to have faith in their strategy. With the helicopter still grounded, the police must now explain their decision-making process and ensure that they are using all available resources to bring Esther home safely.
