MITCHELL, ADAM AND TREVOR O’BRIEN

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Mitchell O’Brien

Date of Birth: November 29, 1991

White Male

Height: 3’0” Weight: 47 lbs

Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue

Missing: November 9, 1996 From: Mount Pearl, Newfoundland

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Adam O’Brien

Date of Birth: October 28, 1982

White Male

Height: 5’2” Weight: 100 lbs

Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue

Missing: November 9, 1996 From: Mount Pearl, Newfoundland

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Trevor O’Brien

Date of Birth: May 8, 1985

White Male

Height: 4’8” Weight: 70 lbs

Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue

Missing: November 9, 1996 From: Mount Pearl, Newfoundland

Distinguishing Features: Trevor has a small scar on the back of his head.

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On November 9, 1996, Diana Boland’s worst nightmare came true. It was on this day that her ex-husband, Gary O’Brien, abducted their 3 sons, Adam, Trevor and Mitchell. 17 years have passed, and Diana still remains hopeful that her boys will come home alive and well.

Diana describes her ex-husband as resourceful, and intelligent, and fully capable of anything. She also believes that those close to O’Brien may have assisted in the abduction. Before O’Brien disappeared with the boys, he put in motion a sequence of events to mislead police that could have resulted in mass destruction and chaos.

At the time of their disappearance, the boys lived with their mother, and O’Brien had visitation each Saturday. On the day they were abducted, Diana had called O’Brien to advise him that Mitchell was sick and suggested that he stay home. O’Brien insisted that she have all three boys ready for him to pick up. At 8:30 that evening, her world was flipped upside down. O’Brien called her and stated that he was not returning with the boys, and had built a trap in his home that would explode when someone entered the home. Diana called police who went to the residence, and found O’Brien had jerry-rigged two 400 pound propane tanks into a bomb that could have flattened the entire neighborhood. The bomb was an attempt to mislead police and waste valuable time that could have been spent looking for O’Brien and the boys. Then, 11 months after the boys’ disappearance, the engine of a 1989 Ford Tempo, the same model car O’Brien was known to be driving, was found in the waters off Red Head Cliff, a 90 meter drop into the ocean. The serial number on the engine matched the serial number of Gary’s car. However, there is no indication that anyone was in the car when it went into the ocean. It is believed that this was another diversion to mislead police.

When Diana is asked why she thinks none of her sons have contacted her, she responds with her belief that O’Brien took their boys to some sort of religious commune. The compounds that host these communes are often without any outside contact. The members have no access to the news, and can remain oblivious to their families efforts to locate them. Diana also states that O’Brien had complete control over their sons and they would have done anything he asked them to do. Believing this is what has happened to the boys, allows Diana and her family to maintain the belief that her sons are still alive. When hearing the circumstances that surround the boys’ abduction, it absolutely leads credence to the boys being alive.

It took time before Diana was able to feel hopeful and optimistic. She recalls how in the beginning she was totally numb, and no longer cared about anything or anyone. Diana had to learn to cope, or die. Her first step was to reach out, and that wasn’t easy for Diana. She sought professional help and realized that she had to release the bitterness and anger. It was eating her up, and she needed to let go of the guilt of not being there to protect her sons. Recognizing that this was not her fault and that O’Brien was responsible for the nightmare, Diana was able to begin healing. She also credits missing child organizations for reaching out to her in her time of need and helping her get through the process. As time passed Diana became more involved with these organizations and has been able to offer support to other parents whose children have been abducted. Being able to network with these parents and provide and receive the support of these relationships has been vital in encouraging the hope that left behind parents so desperately need.

In May of 2011, the first Canadian organization to form a database of missing children was launched, and Diana played a large role in these efforts. After the launching of missingkids.ca, authorities received a tip that O’Brien and his sons may be in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Police in Thunder Bay are searching for the woman that may hold vital information in finding the boys. She made an anonymous tip, after she recognized the boys’ pictures which were on a Visa bill. The woman identified herself as a babysitter who had taken care of the boys, and had family related details, such as one of the boys’ nicknames. Authorities have gone public in a plea for the woman to come forward. Police in Thunder Bay are also on alert should O’Brien by in the city and attempt to flee.

Diana says she is now back to where she was before the abduction. She is able to enjoy life, and believes that her sons and their children will be a part of the next stage in her life. Some think it may be time to put the case to rest, however that is simply not an option for Diana, as is the case with other parents whose children have been abducted. She says it best, “Once you’re a parent, you will be one until the day you die, and no matter what could happen in my life I will always be looking for my sons.” Although she is enjoying life again, she keeps her sons’ belongings and media coverage of their disappearance in a trunk. She hopes that when her sons do come home, she can show them the truth, and then allow all of them to move on, and not dwell on the past. She still cries, and has her good days and bad days, but she has been able to strike a balance between grief, hope and the ability to continue life so that when the boys do come home, they are coming home to a happy and healthy mother who can guide them through becoming reacquainted again. Her advice to others – “Have hope like me. Be positive like me. I take a lot of strength in staying positive and I do believe in miracles happening, and I believe I’m due one.”

O’Brien has felony warrants on file for kidnapping, attempted murder, and crimes against life and health. He has a history of psychiatric problems and suicidal tendencies.

A $50,000.00 reward is offered for any information leading to the recovery of the O’Brien brothers.

EXTREME CAUTION IS ADVISED: O’BRIEN MAY BE VERY VIOLENT

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Gary O’Brien

Date of Birth: October 17, 1956

White Male

Height: 5’10” Weight: 135 lbs

Hair: Grey Eyes: Blue

Distinguishing Features: Gary has a false tooth.

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If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Mitchell, Adam and Trevor O’Brien, please immediately contact the Royal Newfoundland Constaburly at:

1-709-729-8000

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The National Center For Missing & Exploited Children at:

1-800-843-5678

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