Missing Sault woman’s son appeals to public for help

Duncan Gibson’s last communication with his mother, 74-year-old Sally Gibson of Sault Ste. Marie, was via text Aug. 6.

She left her St. Joseph Island cottage for Manitoba Friday, Aug. 14, travelling alone by car, not seen or heard from by family members or friends since.

“We really miss my Mom and we wish she would come home. If anybody has any information, please bring it forward,” said Duncan, speaking to SooToday. 

Duncan currently lives and works in Montreal but has returned to Sault Ste. Marie to be with his father at this difficult, anxious time.

Sally Gibson was travelling to a family reunion in Manitoba, specifically to Delta Beach, 25 km north of Portage la Prairie, 108 km northwest of Winnipeg.

Gibson set out on the voyage alone from her St. Joseph Island cottage, her husband too ill to accompany her.

“We believe she left the cottage on St. Joe’s on Friday the 14th and just never showed up at the family reunion. The following evening, the 15th, she was supposed to meet my aunt, her sister, in Winnipeg, and then the following day they were going to go out to the family reunion on Delta Beach, on the Sunday (Aug. 16),” Duncan said.

“When my mom didn’t show up on Sunday, people were concerned because she was already a day late and she hadn’t told anybody she was going to be late. On Monday we started getting really worried but were still hoping or assuming she would turn up, but just late. Then on Tuesday (Aug. 18) my sister and my aunt filed a missing person report with police.”

Duncan said she was travelling without a cell phone.

“She usually wouldn’t just not show up, even one day late, without notifying somebody, somehow. She used Facebook a lot, and messenger. She did communicate regularly...this is highly unusual.”

He said his mother is in good health.

Gibson was driving a 2010 Toyota Corolla of a “gold, brown” colour (not grey as shown in an earlier photo, Duncan said), Ontario plate number BVHZ 260.

She is described as:

• 5’8” tall
• wavy, collar-length brown hair
• hazel eyes
• wearing glasses

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Sally Gibson is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Geoff MacLeod of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service at (705) 949-6300 ext. 288.

Duncan said there has been no trace of financial records (debit or credit card activity) to use in the search for his mother.

“We’re trying to stay optimistic. We don’t know anything at this point. I’m just trying to be as optimistic as possible under the circumstances…(but) the community support’s been amazing.”