It's been 51 years since Diane Prevost was reported missing in Grundy Lake Provincial Park. The OPP want to know what happened to her.
On Saturday, September 17, 1966, Diane Prevost, who was two years old at the time of her disappearance, was with her family at the beach at Grundy Lake Provincial Park, just south of the French River.
Afraid of the water, Diane played in the sand while her father fished on the dock and her siblings enjoyed the lake. Diane asked to return to the trailer at the campsite, which was approximately 500 feet from the beach.
Her father indicated that he would take her back but asked her to wait a moment while he reeled in his line. When he turned to take her back to the campsite, Diane was no longer on the beach. The family began to search for her immediately, and after about an hour, contacted the OPP. Despite an extensive search of the park and the lake that spanned more than a month, Diane was not found and has never been seen since.
To date, the OPP investigation has not determined the whereabouts of Diane. At the time of her disappearance, Diane was wearing a blue and red checked top with red plaid pants. Diane had a mark on her left knee and a scar on her right foot.
LETTERS FROM HOME
May is Missing Children's Month in Canada. During the month of May, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection has been sharing "Letters from Home." These messages are from mothers, fathers and siblings who are searching for a missing child.
Lise Nastuk, Diane's older sister, has written her a letter:
Dear Diane,
It has been so long since we last saw each other. You probably don't remember me but I want you to know that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you.
Fifty-one years ago, someone took you away from us and our lives have never been the same since. Our parents, grandparents, sister, brother, you and I were camping at Grundy Provincial Park on September 17, 1966 when you disappeared. You wanted to go back to the camper to see our grandparents, pepère et memère Prévost. You were afraid of the water and didn't want to play in the sand anymore. Mom asked Dad to bring you back and he said he would untangle the fishing line first. You were so headstrong Diane, you didn't wait, why didn't you wait? Someone was waiting to steal you away from us.
To this day, we don't know where you are. Dad never stopped looking for you. For many years, on the anniversary of your disappearance, he would go back to Grundy Provincial Park to look for you. He never gave up, even on his dying bed he wasn't ready to go, he had unfinished business, you weren't found. His only wish was to have you back in our family.
Diane, if you read this letter, please know that your real family are still looking for you. You were not given-up for adoption, you were taken from us. We want you to come back home, Diane. We haven't lost hope that you're still waiting for us to find you. Till we meet again, little sister.
Your sister,
Lise
The Canadian Centre and the Ontario Provincial Police are asking everyone to take the time to read and share this letter, in hopes that the Prevost family will be reunited.
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection provides support to Canadian families whose children are missing, have been recovered, or have been sexually abused or exploited. Call 1-866-543-8477 (KID-TIPS) or visit missingkids.cafor assistance or if you have any information related to a missing child.
"We believe that someone knows something about the disappearance of Diane Prevost," says Inspector Tina Chalk. "Although decades have passed, her case is not closed. Even the smallest piece of information could shed light on what happened to Diane, and resolve a 50-year mystery that has haunted this family and the community."
