Volunteer Search for James Van-Veen Set for Feb. 8 Near Inglis Falls
Volunteers will gather on Sunday, February 8, to help search for James Van-Veen, missing from the Inglis Falls area since January 26. The effort is organized by Please Bring Me Home.
The volunteer organization Please Bring Me Home is organizing a coordinated search this Sunday, February 8, for James Van-Veen, who was reported missing from the Inglis Falls area in the early hours of Monday, January 26, 2026.
In an interview with Owen Sound Current on Thursday, the group’s co-founder emphasized that this effort is being carried out in support of James’ family, and in addition to, not in place of, the extensive search work already completed by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Emergency Response Team (ERT).
“We are confident in the extensive work that has already been completed,” said Please Bring Me Home Executive Director Nick Oldrieve.
“Our role is simply to expand the search footprint where appropriate and to support James’ family as they continue their own efforts.”
As of Wednesday, 42 volunteers had registered to participate. The organization is hoping to reach at least 50 participants to safely and effectively cover the planned search zones.
The Search for James Van-Veen
James Van-Veen was last seen early in the morning on January 26. Inglis Falls was a familiar place for him — both for its proximity to home and for its personal meaning, according to Oldrieve.
“It’s where he got married, and he would often visit at different times of the day,” he said.
The weather on the morning he went missing was not severe, but significant snowfall arrived on Tuesday and Wednesday, complicating search efforts.
When Van-Veen failed to report for work that Monday, police began a search and quickly located his vehicle parked at Inglis Falls. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) launched immediate ground and aerial search efforts with assistance from specialized teams, including the Emergency Response Team (ERT), Canine Unit, Aviation Services, and the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.
Crews conducted an intensive five-day search of cliffs, riverbanks, trails, and wooded terrain on both sides of the Sydenham River. Aerial units targeted hard-to-reach zones, including ice-covered sections of the river and steep escarpment slopes. Grey County staff and local conservation authority personnel assisted throughout the operation.
On February 2, the OPP announced they had suspended active search operations, citing snow, shifting ice, and dangerous terrain that made it unsafe for both ground and aerial teams to continue.
Police say they will resume the search when conditions improve, and continue to monitor the area.
This marks the most recent search Please Bring Me Home has undertaken in its ten-year history. The group typically focuses on long-term missing persons cases, but Oldrieve says their involvement in this case was prompted both by requests from family and community members, and the need to monitor moving water in the area, which poses an ongoing challenge in winter conditions.
Van-Veen, 64, is described as 5’10” tall, approximately 175 pounds, with shoulder-length grey-white hair, a full grey beard, brown eyes, and prescription glasses. He was likely wearing dark overalls and high-cut work boots.
Search Plan and Volunteer Details
Oldrieve noted Sunday’s search will only be cancelled in the event of blizzard conditions; cold weather alone will not postpone the effort. The search is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, weather permitting, and volunteers should be prepared to spend several hours in the snow.
“If your snow gets in your boots, you need to start thinking about ending the search,” said Oldrieve. “We don’t want anyone getting injured. People need proper winter boots, snow pants, gloves, hats, and layers. We’ll provide hot packs and walking sticks.”
Search parties will not enter areas deemed unsafe, particularly below Inglis Falls, where terrain and water conditions pose risks. Instead, volunteers will search several key locations:
Four trails above Inglis Falls, with teams of five (one walking the trail, two on each side searching off-trail areas)
The river perimeter between Inglis Falls and Grey Road 18
Ditches and roadside areas branching off from the entrance and exit to Inglis Falls, heading toward Grey Road 18, Concession 3, and Rockford
Residential areas, where volunteers will knock on doors to ask three questions:
Do you have exterior surveillance footage?
Have you shared it with police?
Have you checked your outbuildings?
“We’re not asking to see the footage or enter properties — just encouraging residents to check and share anything helpful with OPP,” Oldrieve clarified.
Another team will operate from Harrison Park, covering both sides of the river in two directions: northward toward Inglis Falls and south toward the Mill Dam. Drones are also being requested to assist in scanning areas that are inaccessible on foot, including small islands along the river.
“If someone has a drone that can record footage for review later, that would be a big help,” said Oldrieve.
How to Volunteer
Anyone interested in joining the search is asked to email: search@pleasebringmehome.com
Volunteers must include:
Full name
Phone number
Emergency contact’s full name and phone number (Note: your emergency contact cannot also be a search participant.)
Full search details will be emailed to registered volunteers on Friday, February 7.
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