Danny Ballantyne was only nine years old when his father, Drew Ballantyne, disappeared. Recalling fond memories of playing basketball and soccer with his dad, Danny expressed admiration for his father’s humor and the moments they shared biking and shopping together. Drew, who was 34 at the time of his disappearance in June 2022, hails from Pelican Narrows, a community within the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in northeast Saskatchewan. The family has erected a 10-foot sign featuring two photos of Drew outside their residence on 15th Street West in Prince Albert to aid in the search for him.
Desperate to uncover the truth, Danny pleaded, “Bring my dad home. Don’t keep secrets from us and tell the truth.” Despite tireless efforts by their late mother, Loretta Ballantyne, who spearheaded search missions until her passing in October 2024 without closure, the family remains determined to find Drew. Carmelita Ballantyne, Drew’s sister, lamented the absence of her mother, emphasizing her unwavering resolve in pursuing answers regarding her brother’s whereabouts.
The family has distributed posters and engaged with local communities, including Prince Albert, in hopes of gathering information on Drew’s disappearance. Roy Ballantyne, Drew’s father, expressed concerns about gang-related violence potentially involving Drew. Furthermore, at the time of his disappearance, Drew was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching the conditions of his statutory release from federal prison.
Carol-Ann Ballantyne, Drew’s sister, criticized the initial response from law enforcement, highlighting a lack of seriousness in addressing the situation. She recounted dropping Drew off at a residence in Prince Albert and waiting for his call, which never came. Despite making plans to meet their mother the following day, Drew failed to appear, leaving Carol-Ann as the last family member to see him.
The Prince Albert Police Service confirmed Drew’s disappearance was reported by his family on July 1, 2022. Inspector Lisa Simonson affirmed ongoing efforts to investigate the case, urging the public to provide any relevant information. Describing Drew’s physical attributes and attire at the time of his disappearance, the police emphasized the significance of community support in resolving the mystery.
With the assistance of a private investigator, the family remains hopeful that individuals possessing crucial information will come forward. Carol-Ann recalled her mother’s poignant words, urging others to remember Drew’s face, smile, and essence, emphasizing his significance and the love his family holds for him.