09/30/06: Aaron Derbyshire, 22, Kelowna, BC, Canada

Aaron Derbyshire is missing.

Aaron Charles Derbyshire, 22, was last seen on Saturday, September 30, 2006 at approximately 1:40 a.m. at Level Night Club (formally known as Splashes Night Club) located on Leon Avenue in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.

Derbyshire was at the club with a group of friends who last saw him went they went outside to investigate a fight outside the club. Derbyshire remained inside, and he has not been seen since.

Police have since said that they have received no credible tips placing Derbyshire at any other location after the bar.

Derbyshire's family reported him missing when he failed to show up for a planned rafting trip.

The Search for Aaron Derbyshire

"Any lead, no matter how small it may seem, could end up being important when added to what is already known."
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

According to The Province (12/26/06), "police have said they have no explanation for his disappearance and that he was not known to be involved with any illicit business. Also perplexing is that Aaron left his cellphone in his truck, which he parked at home, before going to the Level nightclub in downtown Kelowna. His mom said it was unusual for him to leave his phone behind since he always carried it with him. Aaron was carrying a bank draft for $6,500 made out in the name of a man from whom he was going to buy a Ski-Doo. But the draft was never cashed. His bank account has not been touched either."

In 2009, club owner Karli Wilson told Kelowna.com that staff members working on the night of Derbyshire's disappearance were never formally interviewed by police, making it impossible to know for sure what they may have seen. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Const. Steve Holmes confirmed that no such interviews took place, but said that Wilson was given a photo of Derbyshire and asked to show it to staff to see if anyone recalled seeing him. “None of them recognized Aaron from the picture,” Holmes related. “None of them had any information, so none of them were interviewed.” Holmes said Wilson was told to phone police if any tips came in. None were reported. Wilson says she does not recall this exchange.

Wilson also says police never took the bar’s surveillance tapes from that night. But this is disputed by Holmes. “Our guy talked to the manager and we confirmed their video surveillance was not working, because they were in the process of upgrading it. So we had nothing to go on for video surveillance.”

According to the Kelowna.com article, "Wilson insisted the footage existed, but noted it would have automatically been erased after four days. Holmes said investigators went to the club on Oct. 3, 2006, the day they learned Derbyshire had been at the bar, which is at the limit of the four-day grace period."

The article notes that Wilson had been trying to battle "negative perceptions about her club in the wake of the missing persons investigation."

According to reports, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) members from the Serious Crimes Unit have investigated nearly 270 witnesses in the case. Any lead, no matter how small it may seem, could end up being important when added to what is already known. If you or someone you know saw Derbyshire around the time of his disappearance, call the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or email a tip from http://www.solvecrime.ca/. Your information will be kept strictly confidential and could lead to a reward of up to $2,000.

About Aaron Derbyshire

"If you have any information about Aaron Derbyshire, call the RCMP at(250)762-3300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477."

Aaron Derbyshire is the second of four boys in a tight-knit family. His mother, Glenda, told the Kelowna Capital News that she and her husband were high school sweethearts, both from large families themselves, who got married and started a family right away. "Our children, we believe, are a blessing to us," she said. She described Aaron as an amazing young man with a wonderful future ahead of him, and said she and his family miss him every day. She added that it is out of character for their son to go missing and, "there's no reason that anybody would want to hurt him."

Aaron is described as "a vibrant, handsome and loving young man who has everything in life going for him. He is an avid snowboarder, golfer, bmx biker, soccer player, and technologist working as a land surveyor."

According to a Facebook page about Aaron, "Aaron Charles Derbyshire was a happy, young boy when he became very sick at the age of 8. In and out of Children's Hospital frequently, Aaron was eventually diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (severe inflammation of the intestinal tract). This disease limited his ability to grow up healthy, enjoying all the activities that most children do on a regular basis. Aaron almost died during this time. Aaron was homeschooled most of his life, however, he became well enough to go back to high school in grade 11. At this point, he started recovering quite well and fit in right away with everyone he met. He graduated from Civil Engineering 3 years ago at this time and was heading into a very promising life. However, this was all shattered when he went missing from Kelowna on September 29th, 2006. Words cannot explain our loss, and for anyone who knew Aaron or had the chance to run into him at some point in their lives, it is a complete shock to have him gone. (December 19, 2007)."

Aaron Derbyshire is described as Caucasian, 160 lbs, 5'10", clean shaven, short brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark blue shirt (possibly plaid) and dark jeans.

Facts of Interest:

Name/age: Aaron Derbyshire, 22

Date of birth: 05/13/84 (Mother's Day)

Last seen: 09/30/06, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Major: Civil Engineering grad, 2004

Physical Description: Caucasian, 160 lbs, 5'10", clean shaven, short brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark blue shirt (possibly plaid) and dark jeans.