Burnaby boy’s disappearance still brings more questions than answers over one month on

More than a month has passed since the reported disappearance of an 11-year-old Burnaby boy, and his family is still searching for answers.

The Burnaby RCMP says it received a request for a well-being check for Kai Pavlovic on Sept. 26. They were not able to locate him, and say they have been searching for him ever since.

Since then, police have regularly reissued appeals  — including putting up billboards —  for information on his whereabouts, believing he is staying with a caretaker, whom they are trying to identify.

Mounties have so far not activated an amber alert, explaining that the action is reserved for cases of confirmed abduction and when the child is believed to be in imminent danger.

In a statement to The Leader Spirit, the boy’s aunt, who lives in New Zealand, says the family is “devastated” and “gravely concerned” by the situation.

She explains that Kai relocated to B.C. with his mother and stepfather in 2023.

“Between then and now his extended family from both Montenegro and New Zealand have lost contact with him. We love him deeply, and miss him terribly,” said the aunt.

She says the family also does not know the identity of the reported caregiver.

In recent responses to 1130 NewsRadio’s request for information, the Burnaby RCMP has said there is no update to share.

Private investigator Steve Hoffman says the lack of answers from police only leads to more questions about what is actually going on here.

“I’m confused as to why somebody did a welfare check on them. Why? Why that was requested? I’m curious who the caretaker — that’s been identified in the media — I’m curious who that is. I’m wondering how the parents play into this, and perhaps other people in the community are playing into this,” said Hoffman.

He says there are always ways to find someone who doesn’t want to be found, but police are limited in what they can do within the law.

“There could be information out there on cell networks that would give an indication as to where they are or, perhaps, where they have been. And I think there are certain scenarios that, certainly, the police can access that information. And there are times where the private sector can access similar information as well.”

Hoffman says he’s “confident the Mounties are doing everything they possibly can to resolve” the case.

Kai is described as being 5 feet tall with a thin build and brown hair. Police have released several photos to help the public identify him.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999.

—With files from Emma Crawford and Dean Recksiedler