TERRACE, B.C. – More than three weeks have passed since Thomas Kelly, a 46-year-old Terrace man, went missing while fishing with his family near Usk on July 12. While initial search efforts by the RCMP and Search and Rescue have concluded, the search has not. In the absence of a coordinated official response, it is the community of Terrace that has taken on the tireless and heartbreaking work of finding him.
The family and dedicated volunteers, including those like Jahaziel Charitye Trudell, are actively coordinating their own search efforts. On social media, Trudell has been sharing specific search locations and GPS coordinates for logjams and other areas of interest along the Skeena River, calling for willing volunteers with boats and drones. The community’s response has been unwavering, a powerful testament to the compassion that defines this region.
Meanwhile, many in the community have noted a striking silence from the region’s elected officials. The past weeks have seen local leaders, including MP Ellis Ross and MLA Claire Rattée, appear at high-profile events like Riverboat Days. Yet, there has been no public statement or visible show of support from either official regarding the ongoing search for Thomas Kelly.
This is not a call for political posturing, but for basic human empathy and a recognition of the profound grief a family is enduring. In times of celebration, leaders are often the first to take the stage. True leadership, however, is most acutely needed during quiet crises—when a family is still waiting, and the community is picking up the pieces.
The ongoing volunteer search for Thomas Kelly is a powerful display of community resilience and dedication. It also serves as a stark reminder of the disconnect that can exist between elected leadership and the most urgent needs of the people they serve. As the search continues, many are left to wonder if and when our leaders will choose to stand with a grieving family and a community that has already stepped up.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Thomas Kelly, please contact the Terrace RCMP at 250-638-7400.
