A month after he disappeared, the family of Sooke man Ryan Mazar are still searching for answers about his fate.
The 43-year-old went missing on April 22, when he, his partner Mykaila and their infant daughter Ariel fell overboard from their boat into the waters of the Finlayson Arm.
While mother and baby were found alive on shore, Mazar was nowhere to be seen.
“Although the hope is alive, the family is struggling to accept the possibility that Ryan may not be coming home,” said Joyce Volek, the wife of Mazar’s former father-in-law and friend, in an update posted online. “Their deepest desire now is for closure.”
As the family navigate their emotional limbo, they are also grappling with the far-reaching consequences of the accident, shares Volek.
Now back home after a stint in hospital, partner Mykaila is facing an uncertain financial future as Mazar was the “sole family provider.”
To help, Mykaila has applied for government assistance and low-cost housing options. An online fundraiser, launched days after Mazar went missing, has also amassed over $12,000 to support the mother and daughter.
“[Mykaila’s] priority is to create a new stable, affordable home for Ariel and have some precious time with her before the inevitable return to the workforce,” Volek says.
For their four-month-old daughter Ariel, behind the happy smiles, the physical recovery is ongoing. “Ariel is improving her ability to swallow and will continue to receive developmental checks for the next two years,” writes Volek.
Mazar’s adult son, Drue, from a previous relationship, is also struggling with “emotional and psychological wounds” caused by his father’s absence.
In the weeks after the accident, Drue and his partner Ella welcomed a newborn son, Shiloh Ryan, making Mazar a grandfather for the first time.
“A joy tinged with the absence of Ryan, who eagerly looked forward to being a grandfather,” said Volek.
Working as an apprentice at Mazar’s flooring business RyGuys Resurfacing, the young dad is now facing the daunting task of stepping into his father’s role to keep the business afloat.
“Driven by the desire to honour his father’s legacy and provide for his own family, Drue is committed to learning and growing the company,” explains Volek.
While the future remains uncertain for the family, the immense support from the community has remained a constant comfort, helping them find the strength to move forward each day.
All the authorities involved in the search for Mazar, including the friends, strangers and community members who have scoured – and continue to scour – the rugged, steep shorelines and waters of Finlayson Arm, have also been praised by the family.
“Ryan remains a constant presence in their thoughts and is profoundly missed by all who knew and loved him,” Volek says. “[The family] find solace and comfort that his presence is always felt.”
It's support Volek and the family have asked to continue – until they find the answers they are waiting for.
“The family urges everyone to hold on to hope and continue to pray for Ryan’s discovery so he can come home one last time,” she says.
To make a donation to the fundraiser for Mazar's partner and baby, visit the website: www.gofundme.com/f/please-support-ryan-mazars-family-after-devastating-tragedy.
