The community of Terrace is rallying with unwavering dedication behind the family of Thomas “Tom” Kelly, the 46-year-old man who went missing while fishing on the Skeena River on July 12. As the search extends into its fourth week, a public petition and a series of emotional pleas from the family are highlighting the community’s demand for specialized search resources.
A petition, titled “Bring Tom Kelly Home: Request for K9 Barrett, Sonar, and Specialized SAR Support,” has quickly gathered nearly 1,000 signatures. The petition, organized by community member Jahaziel Charitye Trudell, is a direct call for Terrace Search and Rescue and the RCMP to authorize the deployment of a highly specialized team, including Okanagan Search and Rescue’s K9 Barrett and handler Terry Downs. The team is noted for its ability to recover remains in challenging deep-water and mudslide environments.
The community’s frustration and pain were powerfully articulated in a post from the Kelly family: “Why is it that a grieving family is left to carry the weight of ensuring that Thomas is not forgotten?… We are not asking for miracles. We are asking for support—from those with the power, tools, and responsibility to help.”
Tom’s wife, Shauna Kelly, has been a central figure in the volunteer efforts, searching daily for 8-10 hours with her two huskies. She has hiked and driven to numerous remote spots, checking logjams and back eddies as the river has dropped 16-18 feet since the incident. Shauna expressed her heartbreak, noting that while she has contacted outside search resources, local authorities have not yet requested aid, citing the river’s danger as a reason.
Hope, however, remains. Shauna shared that she met with local MLA Claire Rattée, who has agreed to advocate on their behalf to bring in the outside resources they so desperately need. This week, a small volunteer team continues to patrol by boat, with specific attention being given to a logjam where search dogs recently showed a strong interest.
The Kelly family and community organizers are urging the public to continue their support. Their call to action includes:
- Signing and sharing the ongoing “Bring Tom Kelly Home” petition at iPetitions.com. You can find the petition by searching for its title on the website.
- Respectfully contacting Terrace Search and Rescue and the RCMP to voice support for additional resources.
- Remaining vigilant and on the lookout for items matching Kelly’s clothing: a light beige hoodie, light grey sweatpants, and size 10 grey Skechers hiking shoes.
As Thomas’s daughter, Maddie Kelly, put it in her post, “I hope my dad gets found soon. Feeling so helpless, I just want him home rn no matter what has happened.”
The community’s powerful, unified voice sends a clear message that until Thomas Kelly is brought home, the search is not over. Skeena News will continue to follow this story and report on the community’s ongoing efforts.
