MONTREAL — Authorities investigating the disappearance of an Akwesasne, Que., man whose boat was found near the bodies of eight migrants pulled from the St. Lawrence River last week confirmed Tuesday he is connected to the case.
In a statement, Akwesasne Mohawk police said Casey Oakes, 30, is linked to the tragic discovery, but they didn't provide further details.
"Akwesasne Mohawk police investigators now believe Casey Oakes was connected to the eight deceased victims recovered from the water on (Thursday and Friday)," the police said in a brief statement. "The investigation continues to evolve."
Police continued their search for him for a sixth day Tuesday in the territory about 130 kilometres southwest of Montreal. Quebec provincial police and RCMP units joined the Akwesasne police in the search. Authorities have said they have about eight kilometres of waterways to comb.
Police have said the eight victims consisted of two families, one of Romanian and another of Indian descent. They have been identified as Florin Iordache, 28; his wife, Cristina (Monalisa) Zenaida Iordache, 28; their two-year-old daughter, Evelin; and one-year-old son, Elyen. Both children were Canadian citizens.
The other four victims were from a family hailing from the western Indian state of Gujarat — Praveenbhai Chaudhari, 50; his wife, Dakshaben Chaudhari, 45; their 20-year-old son, Meet; and 23-year-old daughter, Vidhi.
The bodies of five adults and one child were found in a marshy area on Thursday, and the bodies of a second child and an adult woman were recovered on Friday.
Authorities have said the eight people were allegedly attempting to illegally cross into the United States from Canada through Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, which straddles provincial and international boundaries and includes regions of Quebec, Ontario and New York state.
In February, police in Akwesasne reported an increase in human smuggling into the Mohawk territory. Authorities have said the area's geography makes it a popular spot for human smugglers, with police making 48 separate interceptions involving 80 people trying to enter the United States illegally since January.
Most of them have been of Indian or Romanian descent.
Oakes was last seen Wednesday night operating a boat that was found next to the migrants' bodies, and police have said some items of clothing that belong to Oakes have also been found. Police said the boat has been placed in secure storage for inspection.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2023.
Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press
