On a frigid evening of December 7, 2001, 14-year-old Justin Pollari walked out of his family home in Hilton Beach, nestled on St. Joseph Island, Ontario—and was never seen again.

It was a seemingly ordinary teenage disagreement. Words were exchanged. Emotions flared. But what no one realized was that it would be the last time anyone in his family would lay eyes on him. Justin, bundled in a hoodie, backpack slung over his shoulder, and clutching his most cherished possession—a skateboard, walked out into the -4°C night… and vanished without a trace.

A Quiet Island, a Loud Silence

St. Joseph Island, known for its sleepy atmosphere and tightly-knit community, soon found itself gripped by confusion and growing dread. Where could a 14-year-old boy go, alone, with barely any supplies, in freezing temperatures?

His backpack contained just a few clothes. No money. No cellphone. No plan, at least not one he shared with anyone.

In the days that followed, dozens of potential sightings were reported—strangers in nearby towns, rumors from Toronto, whispers of a teenager matching Justin’s description hopping a truck or heading west. But every lead, when chased down, ended in disappointment.

The only thing more chilling than that December night was the silence that followed.

Theories, Rumors, and Dead Ends

Over the years, the mystery only deepened. Family members hoped Justin had made it to Toronto, where a runaway might disappear into the crowd. Some investigators, however, feared he had crossed the nearby U.S. border, either with help—or by desperate means.

But with no passport, no resources, and no confirmed sightings, every theory remained just that: speculation.

In 2005, four years after his disappearance, the case was briefly re-ignited. Authorities organized a 4-day search operation across St. Joseph Island, combing woods, creeks, and cabins. Not a single item was found—not a footprint, not a backpack, not even the skateboard that was said to never leave his side.

It was as if the island had swallowed him whole.

Questions That Still Haunt

What really happened that night? Did Justin leave to prove a point, only to succumb to the elements? Did he accept a ride from a stranger? Did someone take advantage of a vulnerable teenager on a cold, dark road?

And if he is still out there, somewhere—why hasn’t he come home?

Two decades later, the Pollari family continues to live in the shadow of that winter night. Photos have faded, and Justin would now be well into his 30s. But for his family, he is forever frozen in time—14, hopeful, stubborn, and carrying a skateboard into the unknown.

Can You Help?

If you have any information, no matter how small or long ago, that could help solve the mystery of Justin Pollari’s disappearance, please contact Crimestoppers or local authorities. Someone out there knows something. And after more than 20 years, it’s time for answers.