Early November would close a chapter on a missing person’s mystery that haunted the province for four years.

On October 31, human remains were found in the area of Three Island Pond in Paradise. Two days later, police were able to confirm that the remains were those of Trevor “Pepsi” Hamlyn, last seen at his Imogene Crescent home in Paradise on June 16, 2018. Hamlyn was preparing for a gathering with friends later that evening but disappeared without a trace.

The site was only a ten-minute drive from where Hamlyn was last seen. The cause of death has still not been determined, and the police investigation into his disappearance and death continues.

Family and friends were finally granted closure and a chance to say goodbye, as Trevor was laid to rest with his father in Grand Falls-Windsor.

A Mother’s Love

One family’s profound loss would serve as a call for action heard across the country.

Jeanette Russell, the mother of Marc Russell of Mary’s Harbour, who along with crewmate Joey Jenkins of Lodge Bay, was lost in September of 2021 on a fishing trip off the southeast coast of Labrador, would call for increased Search and Rescue resources in Labrador in an address to the Newfoundland and Labrador Fish Harvesting Safety Association on November 2.

Russell’s emotional and impassioned plea would strike a nerve, with the provincial government pledging its support. Ministers Lisa Dempster and John Hogan would travel to Ottawa to lobby for a primary search and rescue unit for Labrador.

Fishing industry leaders Keith Sullivan of the FFAW, Derek Butler of the ASP and Merv Wiseman of SEA-NL would also back Russell’s call, as would federal cabinet minister and Long Range Mountains MP Gudie Hutchings, and Labrador MP Yvonne Jones.

Federal minister responsible, Joyce Murray would remain non-committal however when questioned by reporters outside a Seal Summitt in St. John’s. Media were barred from discussion at the summit, which drew a variety of industry players and interest groups.

Minister Murray defended the decision, arguing it allowed participants to speak freely and openly.

A Bill of Controversy

Legislation covering the merger of the province’s four regional health authorities into one met with some controversy amid accusations that government was pushing the legislation through without adequate scrutiny.

Most surprising for the province’s Privacy Commissioner was that no meaningful consultation occurred prior to notice being given to the introduction of the Bill in the House. Michael Harvey said at the time that a copy of the Bill was never forwarded to his office, despite his requests. Government would chalk the oversight up to human error, and Harvey agreed to put the matter behind them. That did not stop the Opposition from accusing government of trying to rush the Bill through the House. The Bill would pass on November 8 as the Legislature wrapped up its fall sitting.