The father and brother of a man missing for nearly two months appealed to the public Wednesday to help find him.
Jason Burns, 42, of Nanaimo, was noticed missing from Columbia House, his Rosstown Road assisted-living residence, sometime between May 2-6.
The search for Jason started May 12 when police were called to investigate his disappearance and found his medication and cigarettes in his room, which was considered highly unusual because he suffers from schizophrenia and needs his medication and is also a heavy smoker.
Two searches of a large wooded area between Rosstown and Northfield roads by police and Nanaimo Search and Rescue failed to turn up any sign of Burns and the trail has gone cold.
Police believe Jason took his wallet and bank card with him.
“We checked his bank accounts; there’s no movement,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. “He doesn’t have access to a phone, he doesn’t have a car and doesn’t take public transportation. We put calls out to the public and didn’t receive much feedback.”
Checks with hospitals on the Island and Lower Mainland turned up nothing.
Jason has gone missing twice previously, but only for a couple of days each time. He has no history of harming or threatening to harm himself.
Dr. Stephen Burns said his brother Jason is shy and keeps to himself. He likes drinking coffee and smokes up to two packs of cigarettes a day.
“He may appear slightly dishevelled, unkempt, growth of a beard,” Stephen said. “He may be talking to himself. He may be sort of disorganized, wandering around without any clear intent or purpose. We’re very worried at this point.”
Jason has lost contact with most friends over the 20-year course of his illness and has no interests or hobbies, but likes Ford Mustangs.
Burns is a large man, 6-foot-3, 240 pounds and has blonde hair and blue eyes. He might have been wearing a beige jacket when he left the group home. Police do not suspect foul play.
“Phone home and turn yourself in to the police and we’ll take care of you, Jason,” said Sidney Burns, Jason’s father.
“This is an investigation that’s gone as far as we can take it at this point,” O’Brien said. “We need the assistance of the public. If anybody has seen Jason Burns, has heard something or even remotely thought they saw him, call us or call Crimestoppers.”
Anyone with information, please contact the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, text 274637, keyword Nanaimo, or leave a tip online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.
