(HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON) –Members of the Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crime Unit have brought closure to a historical missing person case dating back to 1992.
James Scott WALTON (then 27-years-old) went missing in the City of Buffalo New York while enroute to Syracuse University to visit friends. His vehicle and personal effects were found near the airport and Walton was never seen or heard from again.
OPP investigators discovered that Walton had assumed the name of Michael Debourcier and had moved to Toronto Ontario in 2000. Debourcier befriended a workmate while in Toronto and died of natural causes in 2002.
Debourcier’s friend worked with the Toronto Police Service in an attempt to locate next-of-kin for Debourcier, however all attempts were unsuccessful. Ten years later, the friend hired a private investigator (PI) who discovered that the name of Michael Debourcier actually belonged to a 4-year-old boy who had died in a vehicle crash in British Columbia, whose age would have been close to Walton’s current age.
The PI provided this new information to the Haldimand County OPP Crime Unit in March of this year. The OPP, working in conjunction with Walton’s mother and the Regional Coroner were able to reopen the case. On May 7, 2015 using DNA from “Debourcier” it was determined that the true identity was really that of James Scott WALTON.
Though there are still many more questions than answers, the OPP is pleased to provide some closure for the family.
The OPP is interested in speaking with anyone who may have known James Scott Walton or had dealings with him prior to his disappearance or while under the assumed identity of Michael Debourcier.
They are encouraged to call the OPP at 1-800-222-8477 or their local police service. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.