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As death investigation continues, police name missing man

41-year-old Curtis Hesselink of Cambridge is the man police are searching for following the death of an eight-year-old boy in Cambridge on Saturday

CAMBRIDGE – Police have released the name of a man they believe knows something about the suspicious death of an eight-year-old Cambridge boy.

Waterloo regional police confirmed that Curtis Hesselink, a 41-year-old Cambridge man, is the person they are searching for as they continue their investigation into the suspicious death of the child at a home in the area of Townline and River roads in Hespeler.

“At this point investigators believe there is a concern for his safety and well-being. We are asking anyone who sees him not to approach,” said Cst. Andre Johnson during a press conference Monday afternoon at WRPS headquarters on Maple Grove Road. 

Hesselink has been missing since early Saturday morning when the incident occurred. Police are saying he is known to the child, but will not release more details at this time. 

WRPS is working with OPP to find the man. They have deployed drones and helicopters to search the vast wooded area near the house.

Officers have also been on the ground combing the area for any signs of Hesselink. 

When asked why police waited to release the name and photo of Hesselink, Johnson said there was a cause for concern for his well-being, and at the time that was the priority in terms of locating him.

“As the investigation has progressed, we are releasing more information in hopes of locating this individual, both for his well-being and both because we believe that he has further information that could assist in the investigation,” said Johnson. 

"The tragic death of an eight-year-old, especially under unclear circumstances, raises many concerns for our community," said police chief Bryan Larkin in a press release. "I want to reassure Cambridge residents and the broader Waterloo Region community that we have dedicated investigators working around the clock to determine exactly what took place and locate Mr. Hesselink safely."

When the incident first occurred police said based on previous information Hesselink was known to have firearms and was considered armed and dangerous.

Through further investigation, police say he is no longer believed to be armed and there is no immediate cause for public safety. 

The cause of death of the child is still unknown, even though a post-mortem autopsy has been completed. 

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Waterloo Regional Police Service at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.  

Community supports are available through Victim Services of Waterloo Region by visiting www.vswr.ca or by calling 519-585-2363 or 519-570-5143. Support is also available through Here 24/7 by visiting www.here247.ca or by calling 1-844-437-3247.


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Joe McGinty

About the Author: Joe McGinty

Joe McGinty is a multimedia journalist who covers local news in the Cambridge area. He is a graduate of Conestoga College and began his career as a freelance journalist at CambridgeToday before joining full time.
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