'Sadness' hangs over start of school year because of missing B.C. teacher
At Katzie Elementary in Surrey, the start of a new school year began with a sense of sadness.
That’s because one of their teachers who was supposed to be there is missing.
“Everyone’s just feeling the weight of her not being here,” said Ashley Bunting, who serves as president of the school’s parent advisory committee.
Naomi Onotera, 40, is Katzie’s teacher-librarian.
Police say she was last seen the evening of Aug. 28 by her husband leaving their Langley home near 200th Street and 50th Avenue. Her mom reported her missing the following day.
Langley RCMP's Serious Crimes Unit is investigating. Investigators have received a couple dozen tips and are sorting through surveillance footage from the area.
“It’s surreal. It doesn’t seem real to us. It’s basically all of our worst nightmares,” said Onotera’s emotional sister, Kirsten Kerr, who spoke publicly about the case for the first time Tuesday.
“We all miss her very much we, we can’t live without her. We just want her home safely,” Kerr said through tears.
Those who know Onotera say her disappearance is completely out of character and that she would never leave her 20-month-old daughter.
“Naomi is probably one of the most gentle, kind, caring people. She loves her daughter so much and her family so much, so this feels out of character, feels unlike anything she would do,” explained Bunting.
Kerr last saw her sister a few days before she vanished and said Onotera never indicated anything was wrong.
“She really did love her job and was excited to go back,” her sister explained.
Friends and strangers alike have been searching for Onotera. Posters have gone up near her school. A candlelight vigil was held on the weekend.
“We’re so thankful for the help of the community. We’re so thankful for people putting up posters all around their neighbourhoods and just going out and searching,” said Kerr.
Onotera is believed to have been wearing black stretchy pants and a black t-shirt on the day she was last seen.
Langley RCMP”s tip line can be reached at 604-532-3398.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.