The missing husband of a high-profile Torontonian has been found alive and is recovering in hospital.
Christopher Peloso, who is married to former provincial cabinet minister George Smitherman, was found near railway tracks at Lansdowne Avenue and Dupont Road just before noon Wednesday, two days after disappearing.
Police said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon that a police dog led officers to Peloso. The 39-year-old man was found lying down on the ground and “bunched up” by a fence line near the train tracks, and though he looked up right away when police approached, Peloso appeared to be physically weak and groggy, according to Sgt. Scott Fowlds.
Though he appeared disoriented, Peloso was not suffering from any apparent injuries. He is expected to be OK.
Smitherman spoke to reporters from outside the hospital and while he did not specify what led to Peloso’s disappearance or his condition, he said his husband “safe.”
“The path ahead isn’t firmly clear but we know it will be long and hard,” he said. “He and me and the kids especially will be surrounded by an outpouring of love that will restore faith and confidence. He’s in good hands and we’re going to do all the work we need to to make sure we have long and rich lives.”
Smitherman, who was accompanied by close friend and former Toronto mayor Barbara Hall, said he would be at the hospital again later today “and quite a bit after that.”
Peloso was reported missing Tuesday morning after he failed to return home Monday night.
Police honed in on the area near the railway tracks after tracking down a signal from his cellphone to a nearby cellphone tower.
Peloso was seen leaving his home near Davenport Road and Bathurst Street on Monday at around 4 p.m.
Officers had set up a command post in the area of Dupont and Lansdowne to co-ordinate their search for the man because of information given to police and "other investigative leads," said Det.-Sgt. Savas Kyriacou Wednesday morning.
Witnesses had last reported seeing Peloso in that area Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Police would only say that they were concerned for Peloso’s well-being because he suffers from an unspecified medical condition.
Smitherman sent out a tweet shortly after Peloso was found, expressing his gratitude to Toronto police.
“Thanks to @TorontoPolice, Christopher is alive and safely in the hands of TO Western Hospital. Love&Thank you to all. George, Michael and Kayla,” the tweet said.
Michael and Kayla are the couple’s two adopted children. Peloso also has a daughter from a previous marriage.
Smitherman reiterated his gratitude for police officers at the news conference, telling reporters that police “with every breath of conversation were so compassionate and thorough.”
Police also expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the case.
“When we go out together…and we find the person it is a fantastic feeling,” Fowlds said. “Fortunately he was found alive. Unfortunately, he has to go to the hospital but sometimes you have to go to the door and say that their loved one didn’t make it.”
Peloso and Smitherman married in 2007.
Smitherman, a former deputy premier and health minister, was Ontario’s first openly gay MPP.
He quit provincial politics in 2010 and ran for mayor of Toronto, but finished second to Rob Ford.
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