A family now has answers after police identified man killed in a crash in Toronto, Ont. 38 years ago as their missing relative from London, Ont.
On March 11, 1988, 19-year-old Bradley Verbeek was reported missing. He was last seen on Exeter Road in London on Dec. 8, 1987 and remained missing for almost four decades.
Investigators said they received new information in 2025 that Verbeek was potentially involved in a fatal motorcycle crash in Toronto on May 12, 1988. The man was buried as an unknown male, as officers couldn’t identify him following the crash.
On June 16, 2026, the OPP confirmed that the unknown man was Verbeek and his family was notified.
The family issued statements following the news:
“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,” said Melissa (Verbeek) Godwin.
“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 bedside 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.”
Another relative, Sarah Diver, shared her thoughts:
“While the outcome is heartbreaking, and it’s painful to imagine your loved one dying alone, afraid, and possibly in pain, somehow the certainty 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.”
The OPP says it is committed to locating the missing and identifying the unknown to help provide answers for loved ones.
