UPDATE Nov. 29: The family of Joseph Maku, 18, learned on Friday, Nov. 29 that he had been found deceased more than five weeks after he was first reported missing. In a social media post in the Missing Person: Joseph Maku Facebook group on Friday evening, his older sister, Brenda Maku, said the family learned today that Joseph has been found deceased in Delta.
Original story:
Police in Surrey reissued an appeal asking for the public's help in locating Joseph Maku, who has been missing for more than two weeks.
He was last seen in the 13000-block of 96th Avenue on Tuesday, Oct. 22. He is described as Black, six-foot-five and 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes and has braces on his teeth. Surrey RCMP says he is believed to be wearing a black hoodie with GAP written on the front, black North Delta Huskies basketball shorts, and black and white basketball shoes with reverse swoosh symbol.
In a news release Friday (Nov. 8) police released more information surrounding the disappearance of Maku.
"The Surrey RCMP Missing Persons Unit has conduct of the investigation and investigators have determined that Joseph boarded a number of transit buses that day between 3:50 pm and 6:30 pm, mainly between 120 Street and King George Boulevard," reads the release.
The bus routes were as follows:
• 3:48 pm - Route 314 Location Stop Point: 60654 - King George Station Bay #1
• 4:10 pm - Route 316 Location Stop Point: 55065 - Eastbound on 100 Avenue at 128 Street
• 4:11 pm - Route 316 Location Stop Point: 55074 - Westbound on 100 Avenue at 129A Street
• 4:29 pm - Route 314 Location Stop Point: 55007 - Southbound on 124 Street at 96 Avenue
• 4:47 pm - Route R6 Location Stop Point: 54975 - Northbound on Scott Road at 92 Avenue
• 4:52 pm - Route 316 Location Stop Point: 54920 - Westbound on 96 Avenue at Scott Road
• 5:20 pm - Route 316 Location Stop Point 55055 - Northbound on 116 Street at 90 Avenue
• 6:26 pm - Route 319 Location Stop Point 55202 - Southbound on Scott Road at 93A Avenue
Police are sharing a new photo of Joseph as well as a map of the bus routes and locations where he boarded buses that afternoon. We are asking anyone who may have been traveling on those buses, to call Surrey RCMP if they recall seeing Joseph Maku that day,
Sgt. Tammy Lobb, Surrey RCMP media relations officer, said.
Police ask anyone with information about Maku to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 quote file 2024-157805. or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit solvecrime.ca.
Maku's family is planning a search party Saturday (Nov. 9) starting in Holland Park.
On Saturday (Nov. 9), organizers are asking people to meet at 11 a.m. in Holland Park (13428 Old Yale Rd), near T&T Supermarket. "From there everyone will be divided into groups, and will have a designated area to put posters up, chat with people in the area, and potentially find clues regarding Joseph," reads a post in the Missing Person: Joseph Maku Facebook group.
As rainy weather is expected on Saturday, organizers ask that people dress warmly and bring an umbrella and "please don’t let the rain prevent you from showing up!"
For more information, visit the Missing Person: Joseph Maku Facebook group.
