A 14-year-old Toronto girl who had been missing for more than a week has been found safe, bringing an emotional end to an intensive citywide search effort.
Toronto police announced this afternoon that Esther had been located safely after days of mounting concern and widespread public attention.
Authorities said additional information would be released at a media briefing at the command post established in Earl Bales Park near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West.
Before she was found, investigators said Esther had last been seen shortly after midnight on May 16 near Bathurst Street and Hotspur Road, just south of Highway 401. Earlier police updates had indicated she was also seen in Earl Bales Park on May 15.
As the search escalated, police elevated the case to a Level 1 investigation, the highest level available, enabling the department to deploy specialized resources including canine teams, mounted officers, and marine units.
Police also created a dedicated hotline and distributed a QR code to collect information from the public as the search intensified. Esther’s parents made emotional appeals asking the community to assist in locating their daughter.
Throughout the investigation, police released very few details about the circumstances surrounding Esther’s disappearance and did not indicate that they believed she had been abducted.
Authorities have not yet revealed where Esther was found or how police ultimately located her.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Esther’s family announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.
Statement from Shomrim Toronto:
The outpouring of support from the community throughout this search effort has been extraordinary. From the people searching streets at all hours, to those managing leads, checking surveillance footage, distributing flyers, delivering supplies, answering phones, and supporting the command centre — thank you for carrying this effort forward.
What took place over the course of this search was a powerful example of collective responsibility in action. Thousands of people stepped forward with a shared understanding that when a child is missing, an entire community responds.
That collective effort would not have been possible without the coordination, expertise, and dedication of countless organizations, volunteers, and emergency personnel working together around the clock.
A special thank you to Matzil and Chaverim of Rockland for coming to Toronto and providing invaluable expertise and support throughout the operation. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Toronto Police Service 32 Division, Misaskim Toronto, Hatzoloh Toronto, Chaverim Toronto, Unapologetically Jewish, UJA, and all partnering teams and organizations who worked collaboratively and tirelessly throughout these efforts.
While no family should ever have to endure something like this, it was a privilege to stand alongside a community that showed such extraordinary care, unity, and determination.
Statement from Esther’s Family
There are no words to describe the relief we are feeling knowing that Esti has been found safe. For the first time in days, we can hug our daughter and breathe again.
To be clear, while this is the end of the search, Esti still needs proper medical care, evaluation, and support, and our family is focused on making sure she is surrounded by the love and care she needs in the days ahead. We are incredibly grateful she is home, but we are still taking things moment by moment, and we ask that people refrain from speculating.
To the thousands of people who carried our family through this nightmare — thank you will never feel big enough. To every person who searched, shared her photo, hung flyers, checked cameras, sent messages, prayed, or simply held our family in their hearts: you gave us strength when we were running on none.
We are so blessed to have a Jewish community here in Toronto that stood behind us and relentlessly did what they could. There are not enough words to thank the overwhelming support from the Jewish community and every resident of Toronto and the GTA who searched for Esti as if she was their own daughter.
We want to thank the Toronto Police Service, Shomrim Toronto Safety Patrol and everyone who worked tirelessly to help bring Esti home safely. We also want to thank God for sending all of this support and ensuring Esti has come home safely.
What we witnessed over these past days was extraordinary. People from all over the city, the country, and around the world came together for a child they had never even met.
Complete strangers stopped what they were doing to help bring our daughter home. That love and humanity are something our family will never forget.
Right now, our focus is on Esti’s health, recovery, and well-being. We ask for continued prayers, love, and privacy as we begin the next stage of helping her heal.
{Matzav.com}
B”H
Baruch Hashem!!!
All our tefillos and the incredible efforts of our kehillos and rescue organizations!
Yashar koach to all of you.