Police say they believe foul play is a possibility in the case of a missing Toronto mother who was last seen at a Burlington home in August 2024.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Halton Regional Police said a $25,000 reward is being offered for credible information on the whereabouts of 34-year-old Irma Galastica or information leading to arrest of those involved in her disappearance.
Det.-Sgt. Mark Brewster said Galastica travelled to Hamilton with a friend on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 and attended the now-shuttered Sankofa Lounge in the early morning hours of Aug. 31.
Brewster said at around 4:45 a.m., Galastica left with a group of people and used a rideshare app to travel to a residence in Burlington.
Police said Galastica was last seen at the home, located at 629 Old York Road, in the afternoon hours of Aug. 31, 2024.
She was reported missing by her landlord in Toronto two weeks later and the Halton Regional Police Service’s missing persons unit began an investigation.
While officers were conducting an “extensive” search of the home and property where Galastica was last seen, they uncovered an “elaborate Clandestine drug lab,” Brewster said.
Galastica was not found and the case was transferred to the major crimes unit.
“With the information we currently have, Irma has not been seen or heard from since and we believe that foul play is a possibility,” Brewster said.
Police noted that with the exception of the homeowner, they believe they have spoken to everyone who was at the Burlington property at the time Galastica was last seen.
Brewster said that over the past 20 months, police have made “extensive efforts” to contact the man, but have not been successful.
“He remains somebody we will like to speak with in regards to this investigation,” Brewster said.
‘Somebody knows what happened to Irma’
When asked about what attempts police have made to contact the man following reports that he may be in Mexico, Brewster said police have not travelled outside the country to find him.
Brewster said the man is wanted for charges in relation to the drug lab that was found on his property, which police confirmed has since been sold.
“Somebody knows what happened to Irma and where she is,” Brewster said.
Deputy Chief Jeff Hill said police will not stop searching for Galastica and urged anyone with information to contact investigators.
“The disappearance of a young woman and a mother is something we take very seriously and I want to be clear from the outset, we are not giving up on this case,” Hill told reporters on Friday.
“It has been a painful 20 months since she has last been seen here in Burlington. Our thoughts remain with Irma’s loved ones during this difficult time.”
He said officers are pursuing all investigative leads but need help from the public to move the case forward.
“We are asking you to do the right thing. You may not have come forward yet. But right now in this moment, you have the opportunity. Now is the time, even if you have been reluctant. We are urging those who may be holding back to step forward and share what you know,” Hill said.
“Silence helps no one. Now is the time to speak up. It is about standing up for someone who cannot speak for themselves.”
