A year has passed since Liam Gabriel Toman's disappearance at a Quebec ski resort, and his family is still searching for answers. This heart-wrenching story is a testament to the enduring strength and determination of a family in the face of unimaginable loss.
'A Mystery Unraveled'
Kathleen Toman, Liam's mother, has made the 500-kilometer journey from her home in Balsam Lake, Ont., to Mont-Tremblant, Que., almost monthly for nearly a year. This weekend, she will make the trip once more, joined by her ex-husband, Chris Toman, in a quest for any clues that might lead them to their beloved son.
"Even the smallest detail could be a crucial piece of the puzzle," Kathleen shared. "A selfie, an odd encounter, or a brief conversation—nothing is too insignificant."
And yet, despite their relentless efforts, the mystery of Liam's disappearance remains unsolved.
The Night That Changed Everything
On January 31, 2025, Liam, 22, embarked on a long-awaited ski trip with friends Kyle Lemmings and Colin Warnock. As they approached Tremblant, the five-hour drive from Whitby, Ont., was rewarded with a breathtaking view.
Lemmings described the moment to Radio-Canada's Enquête: "It's like a shock to the eyes. The hill with cabins on the side, and then the mountain just rises. It's an incredible sight."
They checked into their hotel and began their vacation. Saturday unfolded as planned, with skiing, pizza, and drinks at Lucille's bar. As the temperature dropped to around -25°C, Lemmings retired to the warmth of their room, leaving Liam and Warnock to continue the night at Le P'tit Caribou.
"We had a few more drinks and then split up inside," Warnock recalled. Shortly after 2 a.m., as the club emptied, he texted Liam, but received no response. He decided to call it a night.
A Disappearance That Shocks
Liam never returned to the room that night. His friends assumed he had crashed elsewhere, but their concern grew. They tried reaching out again on Sunday morning, but to no avail.
"I called him every hour," Warnock said. "After a couple of hours, I was calling him twice an hour, and then three times an hour. Twenty calls later, we knew something was wrong."
By the end of the day, they raised the alarm, contacting Liam's family and the authorities. Liam's father, Chris Toman, remembers receiving the call just before 6 p.m.
"I knew we had to involve the police and the resort. We had no idea where he was," he told Enquête.
A Community Rallies
In February, the Quebec provincial police, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), launched a search for Liam. They deployed officers on foot, horseback, ATVs, and snowmobiles, with dogs and helicopters overhead. The community of Mont-Tremblant also joined the effort.
"The helicopter was so low, it felt like it was in my living room," said Sylvie Blais, a resident of Mont-Tremblant. Yves Delvallet, owner of Mont-Tremblant Cruises, turned his daily dog walks into an extensive search for Liam.
Kathleen was moved by the community's support.
"It gives you faith in humanity," she said.
In March, a resort employee found Liam's wallet near one of the parking lots, prompting the SQ to renew their search. However, their efforts yielded no results.
A Mother's Resilience
With few answers and her son still missing, Kathleen found herself at a crossroads.
"In situations like these, you don't know what to do. You're not an investigator, and you trust the police to handle it. But you have to keep pushing, keep searching, because it's a mystery that doesn't make sense," she explained.
So, she didn't give up. And she hasn't since.
Accidental Investigators
Within days of Liam's disappearance, the Tomans began spreading the word. Shireen Khamissa, one of Liam's childhood friends, took charge of social media, but was initially met with resistance from the resort.
Undeterred, the Tomans and Khamissa continued their efforts, reaching out to the media and granting interviews. They returned to Tremblant, conducting their own inquiries and taking notes.
"We've become investigators of our own," Kathleen said. "I have books of notes from the beginning of the investigation, and Chris and I have collaborative notes in PowerPoint."
Kathleen's persistence paid off when she contacted Radio-Canada's investigative journalism program, Enquête. Host Marie-Maude Denis joined the Tomans in retracing Liam's last-known steps at Tremblant.
The Enquête team and the Tomans tracked down several witnesses, spoke with locals, and gathered security camera footage. In September, the SQ shared surveillance footage, which, when combined with Kathleen's clips, provided a clear picture of Liam's movements after leaving Le P'tit Caribou.
An Ongoing Search
Following Enquête's report in November 2025, the SQ received tips, but none led to Liam's whereabouts. A $10,000 reward for information was increased to $50,000, but has yet to generate new leads.
The ski resort also changed its stance, meeting with the Tomans and launching an awareness campaign.
The SQ's investigation continues, and they have not determined if a criminal motive is involved.
"It's a rare disappearance," said the SQ's spokesperson. "The lack of evidence makes it difficult to understand why Liam is missing."
"It's important for the public to consider all possibilities. Even the smallest detail can be crucial."
A Year of Heartache
As the investigation continues, Liam's mother finds purpose, but it comes at a cost.
"There are days when you're busy coordinating, and then there are days when you're immobilized, curled up in a ball. But you have to keep going for Liam. He wouldn't want to see me like this. I have to keep fighting, keep looking, keep investigating."
With the resort's collaboration, the Tomans are returning to Tremblant to raise awareness about Liam's disappearance. They will also meet with the resort, police, and municipality.
"Each visit takes its toll, especially with the anniversary approaching. One year is not something you want to acknowledge, but for Liam, we have to. It's been too long, and we need answers."
SQ investigators will be in Mont-Tremblant village on January 31 to meet anyone with information.
Living with uncertainty and no sign of her son leaves Liam's mother feeling lost.
"You can't explain what it's like living without answers. It's indescribable."
But she is certain of one thing: "We are at a loss. This is the impact on our family—we're completely lost."
The Sûreté du Québec urges anyone with information about Liam Toman's disappearance to contact their information line at 1-800-659-4264.
