Mark Gerald Bird, born Mark Gerald Turner on March 14, 1964, disappeared from Welland, Ontario on March 17, 1997. He was 33 at the time and had been living in the basement of his mother’s rental property while struggling with financial, mental, and health issues. He left home leaving behind all personal belongings and, alarmingly, without his German Shepherd Astro — a pet the family says was his constant companion; Astro died a few days later.

Mark was 6 feet 2 inches, about 181 pounds, with a medium build, blue eyes and long, curly brown hair. He was last seen wearing size 14 black winter boots, denim jeans (possibly black), a San Francisco 49ers hoodie and a blue plaid shirt. The only thing missing from the residence was his mother’s un-plated car, which was found abandoned on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, an area known for a high transient population. No contact or definitive evidence of his fate has been found since his disappearance.

Anyone who knew Mark, saw the vehicle on or after March 17, 1997, or has information that could explain what happened is asked to come forward.