Police said no foul play involved in the drowning death of missing Bradford teen, Siem Zerezghi

South Simcoe Police have confirmed the body found in a pond Oct. 30 was Siem Zerezghi, the missing teenager from Bradford. 

Siem’s death was due to drowning, Chief Andrew Fletcher said at a news conference held at the Bradford Leisure Centre at 471 West Park Ave. Nov. 2. 

“This was not the ending we had hoped for,” Fletcher said.

Siem was missing since Oct. 24, and was last seen at around 7:45 a.m. in his neighbourhood in the area of Professor Day and Northgate drives. 

During a “large scale” search that involved SSP’s ATVs and drone, and policing partners including York Regional and Ontario Provincial police, searchers found some of Siem’s items near a pond about 100 m away from his home at 8th Line and Professor Day. 

“Every possible resource was utilized for this investigation,” Fletcher said. 

Fletcher said Siem’s jacket and one of his flip flops were found in mud on the bank near the pond. 

OPP Marine Unit was called in to search the pond and found Siem’s body. 

Following an autopsy, police said there is no foul play involved in Siem’s death. 

Fletcher said he doesn’t believe Siem knew how to swim.

The reason for Siem going to the pond that day is still under investigation. Police said they know Siem would often walk to his aunt’s house nearby, but he did not go there the day he went missing. 

“We haven’t been able to determine why he left that morning,” Fletcher said. 

Siem was a very private, quiet person who did not tell people about his plans, Fletcher said.

That morning, Siem’s father was at work. 

Based on the information police have, they are unable to determine his movements the day he went missing, Fletcher said, adding the investigation continues as they try to obtain more video footage. 

Many members of the community who took to Facebook wrote their concerns, questioning why an Amber Alert was not issued the day of Siem’s disappearance. 

Fletcher said they were not permitted to use an Amber Alert, which is only used for people who go “missing in suspicious circumstances early on in the investigation and it’s usually in the case where we have an abduction or a child removed from a home, we have a vehicle or a person, we have something to go on. That was not the criteria for this investigation.”

Fletcher said his team and policing partners involved in the search for Siem will be grieving the outcome, but are “thankful” to have found his body, as it provides the family and investigators with some closure. 

Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Rob Keffer also attended the news conference and said the support from the community was “heartwarming”. 

“This certainly isn’t the outcome we were wanting but we are here to support one another, Siem’s loved ones and family get through this very trying time,” Keffer said. 

“I am very proud of my community for the support they have showed.”

On Nov. 1, the community gathered at the library and held a candlelit walk in Siem’s memory. Siem’s family also attended. The walk was organized by a member of the community. 

A , also created by a member of the community, was created to support the family. More than $30,000 has been raised so far. 

On Oct. 29, .

“Please Siem, your family loves you, miss you. Please come home, Siem,” his eldest sister, Ruta, 21, said.

Siem also had a twin sister. 

The family and community were hopeful for Siem’s return. Many stores across Bradford hung posters of him when he was missing. 

Police said the family is “understandably” devastated at this time, and ask for their privacy, while feeling grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. 

SSP asks anyone with information to contact the force at , or , or Crime Stoppers at . You can also submit information online at .