Missing Vancouver man’s family pleads for help ahead of search
Posted May 5, 2023 1:36 pm.
Last Updated May 7, 2023 10:59 pm.
The loved ones of a man who went missing in Vancouver over the weekend have planned a downtown search, appealing to all to help find him.
Irshaad Ikbal’s family and friends are set to gather at the Plaza of Nations at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
“So far we have around 200ish people and we’re just hoping to get a lot more than that, as much as possible. That’s our best chance of finding him and at least getting some type of information of where he might be and any leads,” the man’s cousin, Reza Rahiem, told CityNews Friday.
“We’ve had a lot of traction on social media so far about his whereabouts and everyone is concerned. We’ve had a lot of ask from the public about doing a search because we haven’t heard anything from any police institution or anything like that. So we’ve decided to gather as many people as we can to do a search all over Vancouver.”
The 36-year-old was last seen around 2 a.m. on April 29 near the Parq Casino on Pacific Boulevard. Vancouver police say he was separated from his friends and hasn’t been heard from since.
Ikbal’s family has said it’s out of character for Ikbal to go this long without contacting loved ones.
The family of Irshaad Ikbal is concerned for his well-being after he has not been seen or heard from since April 29. (Supplied)
Rahiem says anyone who can help is invited to join the search effort.
“It’s still a lot of stress and heartbreak and not knowing — that’s kind of the main thing, we still have no idea of what’s going on or where he might be. That’s the biggest issue that we have. Every day that we go to his house it’s a lot of the same, just sorrow and sadness. It’s tough,” Rahiem explained.
“Irshaad has been a key cornerstone in our family for the longest time. This family has been through so much heartbreak and so much tragedy over the last 10, 15 years. He’s always been there as the centrepiece, helping everyone in any way he can. Now, it just feels so surreal that we’re doing this for him. It still doesn’t make sense. He’s the kindest person you’re going to ever meet and he wears his heart on his sleeve.”
The family is asking anyone who wants to join the search to bring tape, scissors, and a stapler to help put up missing person posters.
Ikbal is described as 5’8″ tall, weighs 155 pounds, and has a medium build. He has short black hair, hazel eyes, and a black beard.
Police say he was last seen wearing a white button-down shirt with a pink and blue pattern, light blue and ripped denim jeans, and white high-top Converse shoes.
-With files from Greg Bowman
