West Kelowna family still grieves 7 years after son's disappearance

Glenda Derbyshire (right) is asking for the public's help in locating her son seven years after his disappearance.

(JULIE WHITTET / iNFOnews.ca)

September 30, 2013 - 2:12 PM

KELOWNA – It will be a painful Thanksgiving for a West Kelowna family who are no step closer to finding out how their son went missing seven years ago today. Aaron Derbyshire disappeared in 2006 and today his family renewed their appeal for any information that could help locate his remains.

It was on Friday September 30, 2006 that Glenda Derbyshire last saw her son. Then 22 years old, Aaron Charles Derbyshire was out with friends at the Level nightclub on Leon Avenue before he disappeared. His friends stepped outside the club around 1:40 a.m. while he stayed inside.

Nobody has seen him since.

Aaron was supposed to take family photos that Thanksgiving, his mother said.

“With that coming up in a couple of weeks I struggle to remember the first Thanksgiving we went through without him,” she said.

Not until they find out what happened can the family begin healing, Derbyshire said.

“We know there's people out there today that know exactly what has happened to him and where he is,” she said.

Over the years police received hundreds of tips and conducted hours of interviews. RCMP Constable Kris Clark said the investigation has not gone cold and remains active.

One tip suggested Aaron was walking along the bridge the night he disappeared or possibly went swimming after drinking, Derbyshire said.

“I don't know, but I don't believe he went on his own volition.”

Aaron was very close to his family and friends, and in the months prior to his disappearance started a new job as a civil engineer, moved into a new apartment and was pursuing a degree in engineering.

“He had amazing opportunities set before him,” she said. “He had a lot on the go.”

It's possible he may have heard or seen something he shouldn't have, she said. Still desperate for information his family hopes new information is called in.

“I believe that Aaron needs to be brought home, he deserves to have a proper burial, we as a family need to start our healing."

Part of her message urged people to cherish their families.

“These are very precious gifts that we have, our families and our children, and when one is taken from you it's hard, it's never fixed...the loss is always there.”

Aaron is described as:

- Caucasian

- 160 lbs and 5'10"

- Short brown hair

- Clean shaven

- He was last seen wearing a dark blue plaid shirt and dark jeans.

Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of Aaron Charles DERBYSHIRE is asked to call the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.