A man reported missing from Middlesex County nearly 38 years ago has been identified through DNA analysis after investigators determined he died in a motorcycle collision months after his disappearance.
Ontario Provincial Police said Bradley Verbeek, 19, was last seen on Exeter Road in London on Dec. 8, 1987. He was reported missing to the Middlesex County OPP on March 11, 1988, and remained missing despite decades of investigation.
In 2025, investigators received new information from partner agencies suggesting Verbeek may have been the victim of a fatal motorcycle collision at the intersection of Harbord Street and George Street in Toronto on May 12, 1988. Police said the deceased could not be identified at the time and was buried as an unknown male.
Following DNA confirmation, investigators notified Verbeek’s family on June 16, 2026.
The investigation was led by the Middlesex County OPP Crime Unit under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with assistance from several police agencies and forensic partners.
“While this outcome is tragic, it reflects the determination, perseverance and collaboration of our investigators and partner agencies. Every missing person matters. We remain committed to locating the missing, identifying the unknown and helping families and loved ones find answers,” said Detective Inspector Nathan Parker of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch.
In a statement released Tuesday, Verbeek’s sisters reflected on the decades of uncertainty their family endured.
“For 38 years, my family lived with the heartbreak of not knowing what happened to my brother. He wasn’t just my brother; he was my best friend. Every day I thought about him and hoped that one day we would be reunited,” Melissa (Verbeek) Godwin said.
“I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported us during our 38-year search for my brother. I also want to thank the detective for his unwavering dedication and compassion. I am profoundly grateful for his efforts in finding answers.”
“Although my parents are no longer here, I find comfort in knowing Bradley will finally rest beside them. My father passed away on May 12, 2019, the same date, 31 years after his son passed, which makes this moment especially meaningful for our family.”
“To every family still searching for a missing loved one, please don’t lose hope. Our family waited 38 years for answers, and I sincerely hope that one day you will receive the same gift of truth, peace and closure.”
Sarah Diver said the discovery, while painful, finally brought certainty to the family.
“While the outcome is heartbreaking, and it’s painful to imagine your loved one dying alone, afraid and possibly in pain, somehow the uncertainty of not knowing where they are can be even more unbearable. You spend years searching, hoping for answers while living in limbo.”
“I am deeply grateful to the law enforcement agencies whose dedication brought Bradley home to his family, giving them the answers they desperately needed and allowing him to finally rest in peace. Sometimes, your gut knows what your heart can’t explain. The universe has a way of sending signs, and when you refuse to give up on someone, closure has a way of finding you.”
