Community members rallied around the family and friends of Jake Corbiere during a solemn vigil held in Garden River First Nation Friday evening as the one-year anniversary of his disappearance quickly approaches.
The 41-year-old was reported missing March 12, 2023 and was last seen in the Churchill Avenue area of Sault Ste. Marie. Once considered missing, police now suspect that foul play was involved.
Desperate for answers, Garden River First Nation has put up a $25,000 reward for information that leads Sault Ste. Marie Police Service to Corbiere.
“The information and tips about Jake have stopped coming in,” said Garden River First Nation Chief Karen Bell. “I’m unable to speak on the status of the investigation — but it can’t be good if we’re gathered here this evening, one year from the anniversary of being reported missing.”
Garden River band councillor Chester Langille — one of Corbiere’s cousins — read a statement from Corbiere’s family, who asked that media refrain from approaching them for interviews at the vigil.
“After all this time, it is difficult to hold out hope of Jake returning home to us on his own,” said Langille on behalf of the Corbiere family. “Our hope has dwindled over time and our worst fears — that Jake has been taken from us — appear more likely with each passing day.”
The family is urging the public to reach out to Sault police if they have any information about Corbiere’s location. “Let us have Jake brought back to us so our family can finally have some closure and heal,” Langille said.
The chief of Garden River First Nation believes "somebody out there knows something" about his whereabouts. Bell said the First Nation is “begging and pleading,” for people to come forward in order to bring some hope — and peace — to family members.
“We need your input. We need any little piece of information that you may have that brings closure to this family,” Bell said.
Anyone with information can contact Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Det. Sgt. Darren Corcoran at 705-949-6300 ext. 387.