01/10/10: Paul Foster, 28, Hamilton, ON, CAN

Paul Michael Foster, 28, of Hamilton, Ontario, was last seen at his parents' Burlington home on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at approximately 6:00 p.m. before he left to see a movie. It was the last time he was seen.

Foster's family became concerned about his well-being after learning that his faithful dog had been barking and howling for 3 days. It was out of character for him to leave his dog unattended. He had also not accessed his bank accounts or made contact with his friends, which was out of the ordinary for him.


Paul Foster recovered

On September 3, 2010, Foster's eroded truck was found in Hamilton Harbour with the license plate still intact. Fosters body was still inside. Police told the Hamilton Spectator that they believe the truck went through or over the guard rail, which is about 7.8 inches (20 centimeters) in height. They said they "have no reason" to believe it hadn't been there since Foster disappeared in January.

According to the Spectator, a crew of divers from the Department of National Defence Dive Team had been preparing the docking site for the arrival of HMCS Fredericton, a 4,750-ton ship due to arrive at the Catharine Street North pier on September 7. The crew was searching for scrap metal in the area when they discovered the fully submerged pickup truck. The vehicle was pulled up around 7:30pm at Pier 9 of Catharine Street North.

The autopsy results show no signs of foul play.


About Paul Foster

Foster had attended Lester B. Pearson Secondary School and was an apprentice at Taylor's Plumbing in Waterdown. He has been described as an outgoing, positive person, who was "fiercely protective of his friends" and who always had their backs. A friend from high school friend remembers him as someone who would always put a smile on your face.

Donna Dixon, a family friend, told the Spectator, "This wasn't the outcome that we hoped for. When you're looking for a missing loved one, you always wish for them to come home. Nobody deserves to have an ending like this." The disappearance and sad ending also hit too close to home for Dixon, whose own son, Billy Mason, has been missing for more than four years.


Case Details:

Name/age: Paul Foster, 28
Last seen: 1/10/10, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Recovered: 09/03/10, Hamilton Harbour, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Residence: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Physical Description: White male, 5'10", 195 lbs., medium build, short blonde spiky hair, blue eyes. Tattoo of dragon on shoulder and "FOSTER” on his back Ring tattoo on his ring finger.
Paul’s vehicle is also missing and it is unknown whether he left his home in his car. His vehicle is described as a black 1999 Chevrolet S10 pick-up, licence plate 343 1RJ. It is unknown what clothing Paul was wearing when he left his home.
Investigative Agency: Hamilton Police, Division One, 905-546-3833.
Links: Facebook page

Published: 01/10/10. Updated: 09/27/10 12:01AM.