By Canadian Press

Police say missing Akwesasne man tied to migrants found dead in St. Lawrence River

Apr 4, 2023 | 9:17 AM

MONTREAL — Authorities investigating the disappearance of an Akwesasne man whose boat was found near the bodies of eight migrants pulled from the St. Lawrence River last week are confirming he is connected to the case.

In a statement, Akwesasne Mohawk police say Oakes is linked to the discovery on Thursday and Friday of the eight victims, but they did not provide further details.

The 30-year-old Oakes remains missing and police are continuing their search for him today in the territory about 130 kilometres southwest of Montreal. 

Police have said the eight victims consisted of two families, one of Romanian and another of Indian descent.

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.

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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.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2023.

The Canadian Press