Update:
On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at approximately 11:40 a.m, uniform members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 3 District (Welland/Pelham) responded to an unidentified human remains call for service located in the Welland Canal in the area of Highway 140 in the City of Welland.
The unidentified human remains were recovered. Detectives with 3 District Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) have taken carriage of the investigation. In addition, the Office of the Chief Coroner was notified and detectives with the NRPS Forensic Services Unit (FSU) attended to support the investigation.
The deceased male has been positively identified as Derek Gibbs who was reported missing on December 17, 2024, in the City of Port Colborne.
The Niagara Regional Police Service would like to thank members of the public who contacted detectives to assist with this investigation.
The investigation remains on-going and detectives are asking anyone with information to contact them by calling (905) 688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009167.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
#24-140349/#25-22958
Original:
Detectives are still looking for 31-year-old Derek Gibbs from Port Colborne who has been missing since Dec. 16, 2024.
Gibbs was reported missing on Dec. 17, 2024 by his family and was described as a five-foot-ten tall man, and weighing around 160 lbs.
He was last seen wearing a Budweiser toque, a dark camouflage puffy coat and green hoodie, with dark pants, running shoes and a red gym bag.
Police are asking residents in the area of Elm, Main and Clarence Streets along the area of King Street, and the properties on the west side of the Welland Canal to check their properties, outbuildings, garages and unused vehicles for signs of Gibbs.
Investigators say there will be an increased police presence in the area as officers continue their ground and waterway search.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
https://www.chch.com/chch-news/niagara-police-continue-search-for-missing-man-from-port-colborne/
