Tom Leonard failed to return from a fall hunting trip in Northwestern British Columbia at Spatsizi Plateau Provincial Wilderness Park. Tom signed in at the Eaglenest Trail Head on September 11, 2005 and continued on backpacking on his limited entry sheep hunt. When he failed to return home on October 2, 2005 RCMP conducted a search and located his truck at the base of the mountain at Eaglenest Trail. Search and rescue was called in and they conducted a search using aircraft and ground trackers but there was no trace of the missing man. Due to weather conditions the search was called off on October 8, 2005.
Since this area is so massive and rugged, the family is in need of ANY help they can get to locate their loved one.
Toms clothing was all camouflaged, including his backpack. He was packing a brown tent and quite a bit of gear. If you go into the area, please report anything that is found, and the exact area it was found, to tleonard@goldcity.net.
Timeline since 2005
In late June 2006, an extensive one week voluntary search was conducted by family and friends searching various areas of the park. Again poor weather hampered the search.
In mid July 2006, an RCMP air search was conducted for a day but again failed to produce any answers.
In 2007, family searched another area on the Waterfall Trail.
In 2008, there was another voluntary search that took place in July. The area of focus was the Cartmel area.
In 2010, the family believes Tom will be found but at this point feel it will be by another hunter.
In 2013, a hunter stumbles upon an old camp while hunting the Rams Creek area.
In 2019, the same hunter sees a plea on social media from the family about Tom still being missing and relates the camp he saw in 2013 to possibly being Toms. Family was notified and they in return notified the RCMP. This information was received too late in the year so plans were made to investigate in 2020.
In 2020, the road leading to the Eaglenest Trail Head was washed out and the RCMP helicopter was unavailable to assist in the search of the reported camp.
In 2021, the road was still washed out to the trail head. The RCMP helicopter was again unavailable so BC Parks was asked to assist but due to staffing shortage they too were not available.
In 2021, Tom’s daughter produced a passionate video on her dads missing case. This video caught the attention of Terrace Search and Rescue who offered to help out of pocket as they were turned down for funding for this search.
Upcoming 2022 year, Terrace Search and Rescue possibly returning to further search the Ram’s creek area.
It has been sixteen years since my husband has gone missing. Due to this website many hunters who have gone to Spatsizi have made contact. The girls and I are truly grateful for the support and kindness they have shown us.
The family is asking anyone in the area to please report anything that is found, and the exact area it was found, to tleonard@goldcity.net
There is a reward of $2500 for any information leading to the location of Tom
Tom Leonard failed to return from a fall hunting trip in Northwestern British Columbia at Spatsizi Plateau Provincial Wilderness Park. Tom signed in at the Eaglenest Trail Head on September 11, 2005 and continued on backpacking on his limited entry sheep hunt. When he failed to return home on October 2, 2005 RCMP conducted a search and located his truck at the base of the mountain at Eaglenest Trail. Search and rescue was called in and they conducted a search using aircraft and ground trackers but there was no trace of the missing man. Due to weather conditions the search was called off on October 8, 2005.
