N.S. man searching for missing son finds 38-year-old message in bottle from young boy
N.S. man searching for missing son finds 38-year-old message in bottle from young boy
A Nova Scotia man who has searched for his missing son almost every day for nearly three years recently came across a letter in a bottle written by an 11-year-old boy about four decades ago.
Jason Ehler, of Truro, N.S., was searching for his son Dylan along Salmon River. While looking for clues of his whereabouts, Ehler unexpectedly stumbled upon a bottle.
“I decided to try to open it. I couldn’t open it so I broke the glass and it was a note,” said Ehler.
The letter read, “My name is Greg Brightman. I am 11 years old. Would you please send a letter back should you find it?” The note also included an address and a number.
Ehler made a post on social media that included a video of the letter and asked for any information on the person who wrote it.
Brightman, now 50 years old, was enjoying his weekend when he received a call from his wife about the post.
“My wife said people were looking for me,” said Brightman.
After hanging up, Brightman saw the video of the letter and could not believe it. “Complete shock. I knew it as soon as I saw it. I knew it was my writing. It was amazing.”
He said he thought about it frequently throughout the years.
“I never expected to get anything back, never.”
Ehler drove to Maitland, where Brightman lives, and gave him the letter, which he framed.
Brightman hopes to pass the letter on to his daughter.
For Ehler, the reunion was bittersweet.
He says it's nice to go out on a search and find something that will bring someone happiness, “and make you feel good, instead of the life I’m used to.”
Dylan Ehler vanished, almost without a trace from his grandmother’s backyard on May 6, 2020. (Ehler/Brown family)
Ehler’s son vanished without a trace from his grandmother’s backyard.
Police believe Dylan fell into a stream and presumably drowned, however, his body has never been found. The only evidence found was his rain boots.
Every passing moment since then has been excruciating for the grieving father. “His birthday is coming up on April 16 and it’s a tough go without answers.”
Ehler holds many memories of Dylan close to his heart. “We’d read farm animal books and we’d go through them but when he got to the chicken that was his favourite."
"I’ll never forget it. I miss his voice. I miss everything about him.”
The federal government will be providing $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures at parades and other events this year, CTV News has learned.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to use procedural tools to delay passage of the federal budget in the House of Commons if the Liberals don't meet his demands.
Paul Bernardo should be returned to a maximum-security prison, the lawyer representing the families of his young murder victims said as he called on the Correctional Service of Canada to be more transparent about what led to his transfer to a medium-security facility in the first place.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to provide an update on the wildfires that have forced thousands of people from their homes and caused widespread property damage in several provinces.
Apple appears poised to unveil a long-rumoured headset that will place its users between the virtual and real world, while also testing the technology trendsetter's ability to popularize new-fangled devices after others failed to capture the public's imagination.
Newly released documents say the intelligence community's relationship with its key watchdog has been particularly strained over the last year due to a 'level of resistance' to scrutiny.
Paul Bernardo should “rot in a maximum-security prison” for the rest of his “miserable existence,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Monday after the notorious serial killer was moved to a medium-security prison.
People in Toronto will experience poor air quality and reduced visibility due to the wildfires burning in Quebec and northern Ontario, Environment Canada said Monday.
A public meeting will give Calgarians an inside look into the exact details of an agreement in principle that could land the city a new event centre, but critics are already skeptical of the cost breakdown.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced a plan to protect iconic Prairie grasslands, considered one of the most endangered and least protected ecosystems in the country.
Community Contact newspaper managing editor Egbert Gaye has died. He was 67 years old. He founded the newspaper 31 years ago to serve Montreal's English-speaking Black and Caribbean populations.
Paul Bernardo should be returned to a maximum-security prison, the lawyer representing the families of his young murder victims said as he called on the Correctional Service of Canada to be more transparent about what led to his transfer to a medium-security facility in the first place.
Air quality remains a concern in regions throughout Quebec, including the Greater Montreal area which is currently under a smog warning. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued smog warnings for the Greater Montreal Area, and special air quality statements are in effect for large portions of the province due to the growing number of forest fires.
The federal government will be providing $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures at parades and other events this year, CTV News has learned.
Photos released by NASA taken from International Space Station show the immense scale of the wildfires in Nova Scotia, with billowing smoke engulfing the landscape.
A wayward and unresponsive business plane that flew over the nation's capital Sunday afternoon caused the military to scramble a fighter jet before the plane crashed in Virginia, officials said. The fighter jet caused a loud sonic boom that was heard across the capital region.
A much more seasonal week, temperature wise, is on the way for the London area. The sunshine remains but temperatures will drop a few degrees to between 20 C and 24 C — the normal for this time of year being around 24 C.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced a plan to protect iconic Prairie grasslands, considered one of the most endangered and least protected ecosystems in the country.
After a long hockey season, most kids are done with the cold rinks by spring. But for the chance to rub shoulders with a locally grown hockey superstar, you dust off the gear and skate in June.
At the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in February, reeves passed a resolution asking the Water Security Agency to require those who are illegally draining to remediate their unapproved works.
The federal government will be providing $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures at parades and other events this year, CTV News has learned.
At the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in February, reeves passed a resolution asking the Water Security Agency to require those who are illegally draining to remediate their unapproved works.
British Columbia Premier David Eby says his trade mission to Asia is part of an effort to grow trade and reduce the risks that come with international uncertainties.
Dylan Ehler vanished, almost without a trace from his grandmother’s backyard on May 6, 2020. (Ehler/Brown family)
