Requesting assistance to locate missing person 62-year-old Michael Vagnini

Unfortunately, 62-year-old, Michael Vagnini was located deceased a short distance from the vehicle. Detectives are in the preliminary stages of the death investigation and at this time, foul play is not suspected.

Detectives are working in collaboration with the OPP and the Coroner’s Office in relation to the death investigation. A postmortem will be conducted through the Coroner’s Office to assist in determining the cause of death.

Our deepest condolences go out to Michael’s family and friends. We ask that you respect their privacy during this very difficult and emotional time.

We would like to thank our officers, police professionals and detectives, as well as members of the OPP and North Shore Search and Rescue who dedicated hundreds of hours to this investigation. Many of these individuals knew Michael personally and wanted nothing more than a positive outcome.

Since the time that Michael was reported missing, the outpouring of support from the community has been unparalleled. Michael Vagnini was a beloved member of this community and an advocate for GSPS, not only through his role on City Council but as a member of the Police Services Board having served as both the Chair and Vice Chair. We are extremely saddened to hear of his death, and we will continue to support his family throughout the investigation.

UPDATE 9

As a result of the aerial search by the O.P.P. helicopter and the ground search conducted by members of our Searc

h and Rescue Team in collaboration with North Shore Search and Rescue in the area of McCharles Lake Road and Panache Lake Road over the weekend, no new information has come to light related to the whereabouts of Michael Vagnini.

This afternoon, February 6, 2024, members of our Search and Rescue Team working in collaboration with North Shore Search and Rescue will be conducting a ground and aerial search in the Moonglo neighbourhood as part of the overall search effort to locate Michael. There is no specific information to suggest that Michael or the vehicle may be in the area, however as part of our due diligence approximately 10 individuals (officers and NSSR volunteers) will be conducting the search with the assistance of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).

We are continuously in contact with Sirius XM, cellular companies and banking establishments; however, these investigative tactics have not generated any leads regarding the whereabouts of Michael Vagnini or the black 2021 Ram 1500 truck with Ontario license plate BK22178.

We continue to ask community members to be on the lookout for the vehicle in both public and private parking lots across the city and for residents and business owners to check all outbuildings on your property.

Anyone with information related to the whereabouts of Michael Vagnini or the vehicle is asked to contact police at 705-675-9171 extension 2320. The extension is now a dedicated tip line for this incident and will be checked regularly by Detectives in our Criminal Investigation Division; however, if you have immediate and actionable information related to the whereabouts of Michael or his vehicle, please call 9-1-1. 

UPDATE 8

Today the Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.) helicopter will be in the Greater Sudbury area to assist with the search effort for missing person 62-year old Michael Vagnini. We have also called upon the North Shore Search and Rescue Team who will assist in the ground search today. General areas of focus for today’s search will include the McCharles Lake Road, Panache Lake Road and surrounding areas.  We request that the public remain away from these locations today to allow for search personnel and emergency vehicles to access and effectively search these locations. 

We truly appreciate the support and efforts of those in our community that have taken it upon themselves to help find Michael. We ask that you please be mindful of your own safety. Let someone know where you will be going and when you should be expected to return. Avoid entering onto our local waterways as the waters are not frozen. It is important to remember that different lakes within our community freeze at different rates, and safe ice thickness can change with the fluctuating weather. We highly recommend staying off of lakes and rivers. 

General Search Areas of Focus: (see photo of map)

UPDATE 7

We continue to ask for the public’s assistance in locating missing person, 62-year-old, Michael Vagnini who was last seen driving a black 2021 Ram 1500 truck with Ontario license plate BK22178 on January 27, 2024. There is damage to the back right taillight of the truck.

Around 5:40 p.m. on January 27, 2024, a residential video surveillance camera captured Michael’s truck traveling westbound on McCharles Lake Road. Based on that information, it is believed that the vehicle and driver may have left the area.

Shortly after 5:40 p.m. on January 27, 2024, a vehicle matching the description of Michael’s truck was captured on video surveillance by a local business on RR55 West of Highway 24. The vehicle was travelling eastbound towards Lively, however, due to the make and model of the truck, the time of day and the quality of the video, we cannot confirm that it was Michael’s truck.

Officers continue to canvass residences and businesses in Lively and East of Lively heading towards Greater Sudbury

 for additional video surveillance footage to confirm whether the vehicle was in fact Michael Vagnini’s.

Michael was last seen wearing a bright yellow hooded sweater, green pants and black running shoes. Earlier in the day Michael was seen wearing an Erie Otters jersey (image attached) overtop of the yellow hooded sweater.

Anyone who spoke with Michael in the days prior to January 27, 2024, who has not spoken with police is asked to call 705-675-9171 extension 2320 as Detectives in our Criminal Investigation Division are looking to gather additional information regarding conversations prior to Michael going missing.

We continue to liaise with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in relation to the use of the helicopter. Due to the current weather conditions, it is not safe to fly, however, that is regularly re-evaluated throughout each day.

Officers have notified municipal and provincial law enforcement agencies of the incident including information related to Michael and the description of the vehicle. Officers continue to check publicly accessible parking lots, establishments and roadways, as well as the hospital.

We continue to ask community members to be on the lookout for the vehicle in both public and private parking lots across the city and for residents and business owners to check all outbuildings on your property.

Anyone with information related to the whereabouts of Michael Vagnini or the vehicle is asked to contact police at 705-675-9171 extension 2320. The extension is now a dedicated tip line for this incident and will be checked regularly by Detectives in our Criminal Investigation Division; however, if you have immediate and actionable information related to the whereabouts of Michael or his vehicle, please call 9-1-1. 

UPDATE 6

We continue to ask for the public’s assistance in locating missing person, 62-year-old, Michael Vagnini who was last seen driving a black 2021 Ram 1500 truck with Ontario license plate BK22178. There is damage to the back right taillight of the truck (image attached).

Michael was last seen driving the truck around 5:30 p.m. on January 27, 2024 in the area of RR55 and McCharles Lake Road. Michael was reported missing shortly before 11:00 p.m. on January 27, 2024. Although officers continue to dedicate resources to the area where Michael and the vehicle were last seen and where he is known to frequent, due to the time lapse and being mobile in a vehicle, there is a possibility that Michael traveled well outside of the McCharles Lake Road area.

We continue to liaise with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in relation to the use of the helicopter. Due to the current weather conditions, it is not safe to fly, however, that is regularly re-evaluated throughout each day.

Officers have notified municipal and provincial law enforcement agencies of the incident including information related to Michael and the description of the vehicle. Officers continue to check publicly accessible parking lots, establishments and roadways, as well as the hospital.

We continue to ask community members to be on the lookout for the vehicle in both public and private parking lots across the city and for residents and business owners to check all outbuildings on your property.