Terry Thomas BAXTER Missing Person Case

Terry Thomas

BAXTER

44

15

68 inches

68 inches

119 lbs

119 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the autumn of 1996, a sense of unease settled over the community of St. Catharines, Ontario, with the disappearance of 15-year-old Terry Thomas Baxter. A Grade 10 student at St. Catharine's Collegiate, Terry was known for his happy-go-lucky nature, intelligence, and willingness to lend a hand. He was an active teenager who enjoyed cycling, snowboarding, and was an accomplished swimmer. On the evening of Thursday, November 21, 1996, at approximately 7 p.m., Terry embarked on what was meant to be a simple boat test on the upper Niagara River. He was accompanied by a 66-year-old family friend, Baron Mario Sciortino. The pair set off from the Ussher's Creek boat launch in a 14-foot aluminum boat. The outing was intended to allow Baron, who was considering purchasing the vessel for his winter home in Florida, to test its performance. When they failed to return as expected, they were reported missing, sparking immediate concern. A comprehensive search effort was launched the following day, involving dozens of volunteers, firefighters, military personnel, and both the Canadian and American Coast Guards. The search of the vast and powerful Niagara River soon yielded a somber discovery near Dufferin Island: the capsized aluminum boat. Found near the boat were gym bags containing liquor and cigarettes, a detail that would later prove significant. Tragically, the body of Baron Sciortino was recovered from the water near the brink of the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of the river. An autopsy was performed, and while the search for Terry continued with intensity, hope began to fade with each passing hour in the frigid waters. By Sunday, November 24th, the intensive search was scaled back to periodic checks of the shoreline, with authorities acknowledging the slim chances of his survival. The discovery of the liquor and cigarettes prompted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to take over the investigation from the Niagara Regional Police on November 26, 1996, suggesting that the incident was more than a simple boating accident. The investigation was expanded to include inquiries in New York State. Despite the extensive search and subsequent investigation, Terry Thomas Baxter has never been found. The case remains open, a painful and unresolved chapter for his family and community. The official police statement simply says, "Terry Baxter was last seen on November 21, 1996 in a 14-foot boat in the upper Niagara River in Ontario. The boat has been recovered. However, we are still trying to establish Terry's whereabouts." The narrative of this case is one of a youthful outing that ended in tragedy and mystery, leaving a family with unanswered questions and a community with the memory of a promising young life that vanished into the turbulent waters of the Niagara River.

Hat Black, Toque, Dark coloured Jacket Nylon, Light Blue, Starter Jeans Blue Pants Green, Hip Waders

Nov 21, 1996

Niagara Falls

Ontario

Niagara Regional Police Service

Niagara Regional

Ontario

905-688-4111

905-688-4111

Law Enforcement

1996-126573

Niagara Regional Police Service

Blonde

Blue

Blue

Build: Slender/Thin; Hair details: Short

No