MISSING: The O’Brien Brothers (1996) - Torbay, NL
By S.M. Published 07/22/20 | On Instagram 05/24/20
The Abduction of Adam, Trevor and Mitchell O’Brien
Missing since November 9, 1996 Torbay, Newfoundland and LabradorAges: 14, 11 & 4At 14 years old, Adam O’Brien was the oldest. Trevor was 11, and Mitchell was just a few weeks shy of his 5th birthday. On the day their father kidnapped them, Mitchell was feeling sick; their mother, Diana, had tried to keep him home. But Gary O’Brien was adamant that all three boys come to his home in Torbay, Newfoundland, for their scheduled visit on November 9, 1996.
At 8:30 p.m., Diana got the call. It was the day after her 39th birthday. Gary said the boys were not coming home, and that his home was rigged to explode if anyone tried to enter. He told her she would know what life would be like without her boys on her next birthday, then said “later” and hung up the phone. Diana’s sister was with her and immediately called the police. When they arrived at Gary’s home, it was wired with two 400 lb. tanks of propane. The house and the surrounding area would have been destroyed had anyone tried to enter.
Adam, Trevor & Mitchell’s whereabouts remains unknown 24 years later.
The Search for the O’Brien Brothers
The abduction of the O’Brien brothers made international headlines. Thousands of tips have come in from across Canada and the United States. Gary O’Brien — who had a history of violence and psychiatric issues — is wanted by Interpol. He is described as 5’10” tall, 132 pounds with blue eyes and grey hair. He has a false tooth and was known to frequent swimming pools and arcades. There is a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
In 1997, one year after the boys were kidnapped, the engine from Gary’s 1989 Ford Tempo was found 10 km off the coast of Flatrock Cliff in Newfoundland. Diana thinks it was part of Gary’s plan to mislead investigators, and has always believed her boys are alive.
The Caller from Thunder Bay - 1998
In 1998, a woman from Thunder Bay, Ontario, called investigators and said she she had babysat for Gary.
She knew intimate family details, including the boys’ unpublished nicknames. The tip is considered credible, and it’s believed that Thunder Bay is the boys’ last known whereabouts.
The woman never contacted investigators again. All attempts to locate her and confirm her tip were unsuccessful, and her identity remains unknown.
Diana’s Search
Diana has never stopped searching for her boys. In 2011, she met with former Prime Minister Stephen Harper to raise awareness about her sons and other missing children. She believes Adam, Trevor and Mitchell might be living in a cult-like community, or have been brainwashed and are unable to make contact with her.
Adam O’Brien is now 37, Trevor is 35 & Mitchell is 29. Gary O’Brien is 64. If the boys made it over 4,000 km to Ontario, someone must have seen them.
Someone can help bring them home.
Adam, Trevor & Mitchell O’Brien
Physical Characteristics & Details
WANTED: Gary O’Brien
Map - Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador
If you have information about this case, please contact any of the following:
St. John's RNC: 709-729-8000
Reference Case#: 96-30299Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or online at www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/tips
Crime Stoppers provides anonymous tippingSend email to the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains at:
canadasmissing-disparuscanada@rcmp-grc.gc.caCase reference: 1996006630
Links & Sources:Star-Phoenix | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada | Mon, Nov 03, 1997