Community Alert: Ongoing Search for Missing Canoeist on Teslin River

The RCMP in Yukon has issued an update on the search for missing canoeist Dominic Bandorski, who was reported missing on June 11, 2026. His canoe and personal belongings were previously discovered along the Teslin River, a key waterway in the territory that eventually connects to the Yukon River.

Since his disappearance was reported, police and search teams have carried out wide-ranging efforts by air, water, and land along both the Teslin River and Yukon River. Despite several weeks of intensive operations, Mr. Bandorski has not yet been found. Investigators are now urgently asking anyone who was on these rivers between June 4 and June 11, 2026 to come forward with any information that could assist.

Official Details of the Search and Request for Information

According to the official update, the search for Dominic Bandorski has involved extensive multi-day and multi-agency operations focused on the Teslin and Yukon river systems and the surrounding backcountry.

Search actions reported by the RCMP include:

• Multiple helicopter patrols conducted along sections of the Teslin River and Yukon River and adjacent terrain.
• A dedicated fixed-wing aircraft search covering broader stretches of river and remote areas that are difficult to access from the ground.
• Boat patrols along river corridors to examine shorelines, currents, and accessible banks for any sign of Mr. Bandorski or additional belongings.
• Ground searches using off-road vehicles to reach trails, campsites, and river access points near the search area.
• Deployment of RCMP Police Dog Services to support ground teams in targeted search zones.
• Contact with numerous paddlers and river users travelling on the Teslin and Yukon Rivers, with information from these individuals reviewed and assessed as part of the ongoing investigation.

Despite these measures over several weeks, Mr. Bandorski has not been located. The RCMP has acknowledged the significant and ongoing emotional impact this situation is having on his family and loved ones, and confirms that investigators will continue to review and act on any new leads or relevant information.

How the Public Can Help Right Now

CrimeCanada.ca is asking our community to assist RCMP investigators. If you were travelling on the Teslin River or Yukon River between June 4 and June 11, 2026, even briefly, your observations may be important.

If you saw:

• A lone canoeist fitting the timeline in this area;
• An unattended canoe or gear along the riverbank during that period;
• Any unusual or concerning activity on or near the Teslin or Yukon Rivers between June 4 and June 11;

you are urged to contact police.

Contact for information related to this investigation:

• Whitehorse RCMP: 867-667-5555

Even details that may seem minor or uncertain can help investigators reconstruct movements on the water and along shorelines. Community members in and around the Teslin area, including regular river users and paddlers, can also review local safety data such as the Teslin, Yukon crime statistics and safety trends to better understand broader regional risk factors while using remote waterways.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, any prolonged missing person case in a remote wilderness setting is a serious community safety concern, particularly in regions like Yukon where rivers serve as major travel and recreation routes. While this incident remains a missing person investigation, it underscores how quickly situations on northern waterways can become life-threatening, even for experienced paddlers.

We encourage all residents and visitors using rivers and backcountry areas to take additional precautions: file a clear trip plan with a trusted contact, carry reliable communication devices (such as satellite messengers in areas without cellular service), wear personal flotation devices at all times on the water, and monitor weather and river conditions closely. Most importantly, report any sign of distress, abandoned equipment, or unusual activity on remote routes to the RCMP immediately. A vigilant, informed community is essential to supporting search efforts like those for Dominic Bandorski and to reducing risks for future river users across Yukon.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the yukon community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.