Danny Ballantyne was only nine years old when his father, Drew Ballantyne, disappeared. Fondly reminiscing about their time together, Danny recalled playing basketball and soccer with his dad. He appreciated his father’s humor, the bike rides they shared, shopping trips for clothes, and his dad’s protective nature.
Drew Ballantyne, who was 34 years old at the time, went missing in June 2022. Hailing from Pelican Narrows, part of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in northeast Saskatchewan, his family erected a 10-foot sign displaying two photos of Drew in front of their residence on 15th Street West in Prince Albert to aid in the search efforts.
Desperate for closure, Danny pleaded, “Bring my dad home. Don’t keep secrets from us and tell the truth.” However, the search efforts were emotionally taxing, especially after their mother, Loretta Ballantyne, who spearheaded the search, passed away in October 2024 without discovering Drew’s whereabouts.
Carmelita Ballantyne, Drew’s sister, lamented the loss of their mother, who tirelessly searched for her son. Despite putting up posters, canvassing Prince Albert and neighboring areas, and liaising with authorities, Drew’s whereabouts remained a mystery. The family even explored back roads, chased leads, and scoured for any clues, fearing the worst due to rumors of gang involvement.
Roy Ballantyne, Drew’s father, expressed concern that gang violence may have claimed Drew’s life. Furthermore, at the time of his disappearance, Drew was wanted under a Canada-wide warrant for breaching the conditions of his release from federal prison.
Carol-Ann Ballantyne, Drew’s sister, criticized the initial police response, claiming they dismissed the report due to his parole status. She recounted dropping Drew off in Prince Albert’s West Flat neighborhood, waiting for his call that never came. Despite making plans to meet their mother, Drew never arrived, leaving Carol-Ann as the last family member to see him.
The Prince Albert Police Service confirmed Drew’s disappearance and subsequent sighting in Saskatoon. Inspector Lisa Simonson assured ongoing efforts to unravel the mystery, urging the public to step forward with any pertinent information. Describing Drew’s physical attributes and attire at the time of disappearance, she emphasized the importance of community cooperation in resolving the case.
The family’s relentless pursuit for answers led them to hire a private investigator, convinced that individuals possess crucial information about Drew’s fate. Reflecting on their mother’s words, Carol-Ann emphasized the importance of remembering Drew’s face, smile, and the love they hold for him.