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Family of missing Abbotsford man seeks help to locate him

Ken Berghall, 51, has had not contact with family or friends since May 20
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Rita Heslop


Rita Heslop usually speaks to her younger brother Ken Berghall every few days.

Berghall, 51, also kept in regular contact with his 25-year-old daughter Christina, who lives in Kamloops, and he always looked forward to her visits.

So it was out of character for Berghall to be absent from his Abbotsford home when Christina arrived for a scheduled weekend visit on May 22 and for him to not answer any of her phone calls.

That's when his family became concerned and, on May 27, Rita reported to the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) that Berghall was missing.

Rita and her husband Bruce, who live in Aldergrove and own Diamond Bar Equipment, attended a press conference Thursday morning outside of the APD to issue a plea to help locate Berghall.

"I know that people looking at his picture see a 51-year-old man. I see my little baby brother, and I just want him to be found. Any help would be greatly appreciated," she said.

APD Const. Paul Walker said Berghall has not been seen or heard from since May 20. On that day, he was active on Facebook, and at about 4 p.m., video surveillance (photo at left) captured him making a purchase at the Highwayman Pub liquor store in Abbotsford.

Walker said that is the last known location of Berghall. He has not done any financial transactions since, and possible sightings reported by the public have been unfounded.

Police believe that Berghall was last driving a black 2000 Ford Explorer – a vehicle that he often borrows from a friend – with licence plate 806 XNR.

Walker said police do not believe foul play is involved in Berghall's disappearance.

Rita said her brother – her only sibling – is a heavy duty mechanic and an "avid outdoorsman" who loves four-by-fouring and is a "mud racer." He always informs her when he is going away on camping trips and lets her known when he will be back, she said.

Berghall has no history of mental-health concerns, and he had recently seen a doctor about some heart issues, but the family wasn't aware that it was anything serious, Bruce said.

Rita said Berghall was in an ATV accident a few years ago and the resulting back injury left him with a noticeable limp on his right side.

Walker urged the public to keep an eye out for a Ford Explorer that might have gone off the road, and issued a plea to Berghall.

"If Ken is out there (reading) this, the family, as well as police, would just like to hear from you. Let us know you're OK."

Anyone with information is asked to call the APD at 604-859-5225, text abbypd (222973) or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

 

 

 



Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
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