Family of Weyakwin Lake man offers $100,000 for his safe return

By Derek Cornet

A $100,000 reward has been offered for the safe return of a Weyakwin Lake man who went fishing Sept. 23 and has not been seen since.

“He went out fishing at about 6 p.m. in the evening,” James Hamm said about his son Matthew in an interview with larongeNOW. “He was going to go catch a couple of fish for supper.”

As the owner of the Ramsey Bay Campground, Hamm explained, it was common for Matthew to go fishing after work and that he was experienced in operating a boat. About half an hour after he left to catch fish, his mother Helen called his cellphone to find out if he was bringing home supper.

James Hamm noted there was no word from his son in the following hours, so at about 8:30 p.m., he, Helen and some neighbours went out to look for Matthew. The RCMP was called at around 11 p.m.

“We were out searching all night,” Hamm said. “It was very rough conditions out there. Us and one of our neighbours were out searching at night.”

It was later discovered Matthew’s boat had been found empty, running and going in circles about an hour and a half after he went fishing. On Sept. 25, the Saskatchewan RCMP said a large-scale search was underway at Weyakwin Lake and the underwater recovery team was deployed.

The search involved the Canadian Rangers, Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, Montreal Lake RCMP, conservation officers, volunteers, friends and family.

James Hamm said 1,100 acres of the lake were thoroughly searched from where Matthew’s boat was discovered to the original spot it was located before it drifted. Several other groups have also attempted to find him with a recovery team, most recently searching underneath the ice in February.

The $100,000 reward for Matthew is being offered because his parents believe he might not be in the lake. James Hamm said it was later discovered there was a “ping” to Matthew’s cellphone and records showed a text message went through to the phone at 11:31 p.m. the night he went missing. Hamm doesn’t believe the text message would have gone through if the cellphone was in the lake.

“We did our own experiment with that,” he said. “The area where we are at is on the outside of the cell coverage area, but from what we found, cell service does not go through water.”

In response to an information request, the Saskatchewan RCMP stated in an email the file is still open and an underwater search team is planning to do another search this spring.

The RCMP added any information received about the file is carefully considered as the investigation continues.

“At this time, based on evidence gathered and investigation to date, no foul play is suspected in relation to missing person Matthew Hamm,” the email states. “We do follow up with information we receive and the RMCP is not involved in the advertisement or provision of a cash reward for the safe return of Matthew Hamm.”