Rico Akpaleapik, a 15-year-old from Pond Inlet, Nunavut, was last seen walking alone on a road outside town in the fall of 2024. Reports conflict on the exact last-seen date, listing either September 27 or October 2; he was reported missing on October 4, 2024. Rico is described as slender, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a grey hoodie, black pants, black shoes, and distinctive blue headphones.

A large, multi-agency search followed the report: Nunavut Emergency Management coordinated efforts involving the RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Baffinland Iron Mines, Canadian Rangers, community volunteers, drone teams, and a police dog flown in from Quebec. Despite searches on foot, by ATV, by air and by water, no trace was found; the active search was suspended on October 29, 2024. The Pond Inlet RCMP continued the missing person investigation, and an official search was scheduled to resume in August 2025 when conditions improved.

The circumstances of Rico’s disappearance remain unknown and his family and community continue to seek answers. If anyone has information about Rico or his movements that fall of 2024, please come forward.