Family unveils updated poster of Ariel Kouakou 7 years after he went missing in Montreal
Ariel disappeared at the age of 10 from the Ahuntsic neighbourhood, in Montreal's north end, on March 12, 2018. At the time, police said they believed the boy fell into a nearby river.
Last year, the network presented an age-progression image of Ariel produced by Sûreté du Québec (SQ) experts.
The boy's father, Frédéric Kouakou, told reporters on Thursday that he believes the efforts of volunteers and police to find his son will not be in vain.
"Every day, it's true that we are still in pain, but we are still driven by this hope of finding him," Kouakou said.
Asked how he could remain hopeful, Kouakou said, "For us, no body must mean that Ariel is alive. That's one thing that no one can take away from me. No one can take that hope from me."
Mélanie Aubut, executive director of the Missing Children's Network, said the poster serves as a reminder that Ariel is still missing.
"It's a gesture to say that we continue to work together every day so that he comes home," Aubut said.
Montreal police chief Fady Dagher said the case remains open and, even after seven years, police are still receiving tips about the case. However, he didn't want to disclose more details to avoid jeopardizing the investigation.
"The new picture is a very, very important picture. For us, I'm convinced we're going to receive more phone calls and we're going to validate those calls," Dagher said.
He added that the public shouldn't underestimate the information they have and urged people to report what they know.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
21 minutes ago
- CBC
Man charged in attempted knife attack on Winnipeg pastor found not criminally responsible
A man who tried to stab a pastor in the middle of a Winnipeg church service earlier this year has been found not criminally responsible due to an untreated mental disorder that caused him to lose the ability to know the difference between right and wrong. Provincial court Judge Lisa LaBossiere delivered her decision June 23 in Winnipeg, based on a doctor's mental health assessment, which found the man was suffering from delusions and psychotic symptoms at the time of the attack. "He had grandiose delusions that he was a famous celebrity who had inspired popular songs," LaBossiere said, reading from the doctor's report. "His delusions of persecution reached a crescendo and caused him to lack an understanding that what he was doing was morally wrong." Crown prosecutor James Wood and the accused, who represented himself in court, jointly recommended the judge find him not criminally responsible. His older brother previously told CBC News the man was discharged from hospital in January, despite raising concerns with his doctors and nurses about hearing voices that were telling him to kill a priest. His brother showed the CBC a text he said the accused sent him on Jan. 11, while the man was hospitalized. It said he felt threatened and voices told him to kill a priest to save his own life. Less than a month later, on Feb. 9, the man walked to the front of Holy Ghost Parish on Selkirk Avenue during a service and moved at the pastor with a four-inch blade. It was caught on video. The pastor escaped without being stabbed, and the man then stuck the knife into the altar. An off-duty RCMP officer present for the service detained the man. He was charged with assault with a weapon, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and disturbing a religious worship service. WATCH | Man tries to stab priest during mass (February 2025): Pastor attacked with knife at Winnipeg church 6 months ago The judge, prosecutor and the man all acknowledged he approached the pastor with a knife during the church service. However, the medical assessment suggested the man had a longstanding belief that he was being "continuously recorded by the church and government of Canada." He was "genuinely distressed by his perceived infamy" and felt he had to escalate the matter to a member of the church, the report says. Court also heard he was previously diagnosed with delusional disorder, hospitalized for it and prescribed medicine for the condition, but his compliance with taking the medication in the past was poor. The Canadian Criminal Code has provisions that allow the courts to find someone not criminally responsible for their actions due to mental disorder. "Jail is … not an ideal place for me to be, especially if I am having mental issues. It's better for me to be in a hospital," the man told the judge. LaBossiere approved his request to be transferred from jail to a mental health unit where he will be held in custody once a bed opens up. "I am certainly in agreement that being at the hospital, receiving mental health treatment, is certainly what's best here," she said. The man told court he is already in the process of seeking a pardon. "I am very satisfied with today's hearing and I can't show my respect and gratitude for your professional conduct. I really appreciate that," he told the judge and prosecutor. A review board will hold a meeting this summer to determine the conditions of the man's treatment, counselling and potential release.
CBC
21 minutes ago
- CBC
Montreal teen facing terrorism-related charges, RCMP say
A Montreal teenager is facing terrorism-related charges after a months-long investigation revealed he was allegedly planning an attack on behalf of the Islamic State, according to the RCMP. The minor was arrested around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at an apartment building on Kent Avenue in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges borough, RCMP Cpl. Erique Gasse said in a phone interview. He said about 40 officers were involved in the arrest, which was carried out without incident. "The investigation showed that he was taking various steps to carry out at least one attack on behalf of the Islamic State," Gasse said. "We know that he had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State." According to an RCMP news release, the suspect published threatening comments on social media. Gasse could not say which platform was used, but noted the threats targeted "various groups of people." He did not specify which groups. The suspect cannot be named because he is underage. He is facing charges that include: Providing, making available, etc., property or services for terrorist purposes. Participation in the activity of a terrorist group. Facilitating terrorist activity. The teen is scheduled to appear Thursday before the Youth Division of the Court of Quebec. Gasse could not provide the suspect's age. Gasse said the investigation began in April and revealed the suspect was trying to obtain a firearm. Specifically, he said the suspect was seeking a long rifle-style gun. Gasse said the public was not at risk, nor were police officers during the investigation. Gasse said the RCMP is always watching social media, and sometimes tips come in from partners or citizens. He encourages people to report suspicious posts or conversations to the police.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
$171M in cocaine seized at southern Ontario border crossings over seven months: CBSA
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says in the first seven months of 2025, its officers in southern Ontario had seized 1.37 metric tonnes of cocaine coming from the U.S.(Source: CBSA) The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says in the first seven months of the year, CBSA officers at land ports of entry in southern Ontario seized 1.37 metric tonnes of cocaine coming from the United States. The border agency said the estimated value of cocaine seized was worth $171.4 million. The ports of entry include the Ambassador Bridge and Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, and Blue Water, Queenston, Peace, and Rainbow Bridges. ~ By Dustin Coffman, AM800 News.
