A vigil was held for a missing man from Prince George on Monday night.
Lucas James Degerness was 14-years-old when he was last seen on June 7th, 2007 after attending a meeting with his mother Gina at PGSS.
Following the meeting, the Vice-Principal asked him to return to class but never did and it would be the last time his mother saw him.
Gina is hoping this will be the final time she has to light a candle.
“This is our tenth one and I hope and pray this is our last one, the one year it was minus twenty-seven and snowing and it was terrible and there was still people here and he is very much loved and missed and we are here for him.”
The mother of the missing teen also has some simple advice for parents of missing children.
“Don’t wait to report your loved one missing, the sooner that gets done, the better your chances are of having a resolution but know that you’re not alone in your journey and my hope is that all of our loved ones come home safe,” added Degerness.
“I come out to spread the word, get more eyes and ears out there as that is my hope and my ultimate hope is to have him come back.”
Gina, mother of missing 25yo Lucas Degerness, hosting birthday celebration; about a dozen people are present to support her cause in finding him | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/1ZN5pFb9kc
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) January 30, 2018
The vigil was held on what would have been Lucas’s 25th birthday.
Since his disappearance, the RCMP’s investigation led to a search of the Hudson Bay Slough in November of 2010 but failed to produce any evidence.
Numerous leads have been followed up, including many possible sightings within the Prince George area. In those cases, it was determined the sightings were of a similar looking person.
Candlelight vigil taking place outside the courthousebro celebrate Lucas Degerness’ 25th birthday; he’s been missing since June 7th, 2007 | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/5gVvwNnjEe
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) January 30, 2018