THORNHILL / TERRACE — The search for 69-year-old Noel Ross Grant has transitioned into a high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional crisis as of the morning of February 21, 2026. Grant, an Indigenous elder who suffers from dementia, has been missing since February 6, sparking an unprecedented regional coordination of emergency services.
The urgency of the operation reached a fever pitch this weekend as a severe Arctic outflow warning gripped the Terrace and Kitimat areas, with wind chill values plummeting to −23∘C.
The Scale of the Search
As of February 22, Search and Rescue (SAR) teams from Terrace, Houston, Kitimat, and Prince Rupert have logged a cumulative 480 person-hours across 41 distinct search assignments. This massive mobilization underscores the critical nature of the survival window in northern winter conditions.
The search remains centered in Thornhill, focused on a 1,100-meter radius from Grant’s last known sighting near Highway 16 and Sharples Road.
Search Operation Profile – Noel Ross Grant
| Metric | Detail |
| Total Person-Hours | 480 hours (as of Feb 21-22) |
| Search Radius | 1,100 meters from Sharples Road and Hwy 16 |
| Participating Teams | Terrace, Houston, Kitimat, Prince Rupert SAR |
| Last Seen | Feb 6, 2026 (Lower Thornhill) |
| Weather Alert | Arctic Outflow: −23∘C wind chill |
Tactical Coordination and Technology
Under the direction of the Terrace RCMP, search teams are utilizing a blend of traditional ground tactics and modern technology:
- Canine Units: K-9 teams have been deployed to navigate dense brush, industrial sites, and complex drainage systems leading toward the Skeena River.
- Technological Canvassing: Investigators are meticulously reviewing CCTV and dash camera footage, specifically from the Muller Avenue area, to establish a definitive direction of travel.
- Community Sweeps: Authorities and the Grant family continue to urge residents of Lower Thornhill to inspect greenhouses, brush piles, and carports, noting that individuals with dementia often seek enclosed spaces when disoriented.
Environmental Impact
Constable Kelly Cates and the Terrace RCMP Newsroom have emphasized that the survival window in the current sub-zero temperatures is dangerously narrow. While investigators have hypothesized that Grant may have headed toward the river, no physical evidence has confirmed this trajectory as of Sunday evening.
The sustained intensity of the search into its third week reflects the community’s profound commitment to its elders and the “mutual aid” model that defines emergency response in the Northwest.
If you have any information, or if you reside in the Muller Avenue area and have dashcam or CCTV footage from February 6, please contact the Terrace RCMP at 250-638-7400.
