Family still searching for missing Victoria man in Spain, blames Canadian embassy for inaction
The family of a Victoria senior who’s missing in Spain without life-saving medication feels the system designed to help Canadians in an emergency has failed them.
Scott Graham’s two daughters say their dad was last seen at the Canadian Embassy in Madrid on July 15. He had visited the consular service after he lost a bag on a bus that contained his phone, passport and medication to manage his kidney transplant.
"It was very difficult to look those people in the eyes that were the last people to see him and have them be like, 'You know, there’s not a lot we can do,'" said one of Graham’s daughters, Kaiza.
"It’s very, very painful," she said.
She and her sister, Georgia, along with Georgia’s partner have spent the last seven weeks looking for the Victoria-based senior. They travelled to Spain in August, where Georgia and her partner James Player remain.
The trio has documented three visits to the embassy in Madrid – on top of visiting Spain’s national police service, area hospitals, and homeless shelters – trying to retrace Scott’s potential steps.
They feel they’ve been left alone to investigate.
"I’m shocked at the lack of accountability that has been taken," said Georgia.
SIGNS OF EMERGENCY
Graham would’ve been on day four without his necessary medication by the time he visited the embassy in Madrid. His daughters say without it, his body will reject the transplant and he’ll show signs of cognitive impairment, something they believe was occurring during his visit to the embassy.
"There were so many things, so many details that should have alerted the embassy that this was an emergency situation," said Player.
The family members allege the embassy failed to accompany Graham to the hospital next door, even though he doesn’t speak Spanish; failed to contact family members through an e-mail Graham provided on paper as an emergency contact when he didn’t show up to a second meeting; and failed to document some details in his case, among other concerns.
Victoria man Scott Graham was reported missing in Madrid on July 15, 2022. (Submitted)
Graham apparently couldn’t remember his passwords to reach out to family at the time.
"I would call it a total failure," said Player. "And honestly, I would go farther to say that if the embassy had recognized this was an emergency, erred on the side of caution, he might not be missing today."
Global Affairs Canada has acknowledged an interview request from CTV News, but did not respond in time for publication.
A Facebook group called Help Find Scott Graham is taking tips and sharing updates. The senior’s family says it has to persevere in its search.
James and Georgia are planning to leave Madrid for San Sebastian where they think Scott might’ve gone to find his bag – weeks after a bus there drove off with it, and without him onboard.
"We are three artists leading an international missing persons investigation," said Kaiza. "Who can help us, and will they?"
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.