Catherine LAFORTUNE Missing Person Case

Catherine

LAFORTUNE

50

48

64 inches

64 inches

126 lbs

126 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

In the late afternoon of May 1, 2024, a 48-year-old woman named Catherine, who was also known as Wendy Lafortune, was last seen in the New Sudbury area of Ontario. On that day, she was recorded on surveillance video walking along Lasalle Boulevard at 3:36 p.m. A subsequent sighting placed her across the street at the Montrose Mall on video at 4:10 p.m. From there, she was seen turning onto Apollo Terrace and walking in front of the Olivera Building at 721 Lasalle Blvd, after which she seemingly vanished. At the time of her disappearance, Catherine was wearing blue jeans, a grey hoodie, a black-and-white windbreaker, and brown leather boots. She is described as being 5-foot-4 and weighing around 125 pounds, with blue eyes and dyed brown hair. Distinguishing features include a surgical scar on her right wrist and a tattoo of angel wings on her shoulder. Catherine's disappearance has been described as being very out of character, as she has not had any contact with her family or friends since she was last seen. There has been no activity on her bank accounts or social media profiles. Her family, particularly her sister Lorry, has been vocal about the pain and uncertainty they have endured. Her sister has described them as being best friends who saw each other daily, as Catherine lived with their mother. The family has faced additional distress in the form of disturbing prank calls and even threats to their tipline. It has been reported that Catherine had been dealing with personal struggles, including the loss of a young daughter and grandson, and had recently left a chemical dependency treatment program. She was known to sometimes cope with grief and mental health challenges through addiction. The Greater Sudbury Police Service has been investigating Catherine's disappearance and has followed up on all tips received. Extensive search efforts have been made by family, patrol operations, criminal investigations, and search and rescue teams, including K9 units and the North Shore Search and Rescue, who have scoured marshlands and other areas she may have frequented. In the years since she went missing, community walks have been held to raise awareness and keep her memory in the public eye. The case has generated ongoing concern within the Sudbury community, particularly as another woman went missing from a nearby location under similar circumstances, though police have not confirmed a connection between the two cases. The investigation into what happened to Catherine Lafortune remains active as her loved ones and the wider community continue to hope for answers.

Scar Right Wrist, Surgical

May 01, 2024

Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury

Ontario

Greater Sudbury Police Service

Greater Sudbury

Ontario

(705) 675 9171

(705) 675 9171

Law Enforcement

M24-SU24031954

Greater Sudbury Police Service

Brown

Blue

Blue

Build: Slender/Thin; Complexion: Light/Fair; Hair details: Dyed

No