Missing Youth Alert: RCMP Search for 16-Year-Old in Pictou County

Section 1: The Alert

Pictou County District RCMP in Nova Scotia are urgently asking for the public’s help to locate 16-year-old Grace Hayden, reported missing after she was last seen in the community of Plymouth late in the morning on July 3, 2026, at around 11:50 a.m.

Grace is a youth, and investigators believe she may have travelled from the Pictou County area toward the Halifax region. Police are appealing to residents, drivers, transit users, and businesses in both Pictou County and Halifax to remain alert, review any recent encounters, and contact authorities immediately with any information that could help locate her.

Section 2: Official Details

The following details are taken directly from the official information provided by the RCMP regarding the missing person investigation involving Grace Hayden:

• Name: Grace Hayden
• Age: 16 years old
• Last seen: July 3, 2026, at approximately 11:50 a.m.
• Last known location: Plymouth, in Pictou County, Nova Scotia
• Possible destination: May have travelled to the Halifax area
• Height: Approximately 5 feet 5 inches
• Weight: Approximately 110 pounds
• Hair: Brown
• Eyes: Brown
• Clothing last seen wearing: Shorts and a red sweatshirt
• RCMP file number: 2026-936023

Image provided by the RCMP to assist the public:

How the CrimeCanada Community Can Help

CrimeCanada.ca is asking our community to actively assist in this search. If you live in or travel through Pictou County, Plymouth, or the Halifax region, please pay close attention to youth matching Grace’s description, especially anyone wearing or recently seen in a red sweatshirt.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Grace Hayden, you are urged to contact:

• Pictou County District RCMP: 902-755-4141
• Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers (anonymous tip line): 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
• Online tips: Submit a secure web tip via Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers
• Mobile tips: Use the P3 Tips App to report anonymously

Even seemingly small details—such as surveillance footage, dashcam recordings, or a brief sighting—can be critical in a missing youth investigation.

While this case is specific to Nova Scotia, communities across Canada face similar concerns related to youth safety and vulnerability. For broader context on how different Canadian communities track and respond to crime and safety risks, you can review localized data such as the crime statistics and safety trends for Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador, which help illustrate patterns of community response and vigilance.

Section 3: Crime Canada Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, a missing youth alert like this is one of the most time-sensitive situations a community can face. When a young person is unaccounted for, the emotional and practical impact on families, friends, and neighbours is profound, and rapid public awareness becomes essential. In Nova Scotia communities—from smaller areas like Plymouth to larger centres like Halifax—coordinated vigilance can greatly increase the chances of a safe outcome.

We encourage residents to stay informed, share confirmed police information responsibly (avoiding speculation), and regularly check on the wellbeing of youth in their networks. If you observe a young person who appears lost, distressed, or out of place, especially one matching Grace’s description, prioritize safety: remain at a respectful distance, ensure your own safety, and promptly contact police rather than intervening directly. Reporting information quickly through 902-755-4141 or 1-800-222-8477 helps authorities act on real-time leads and supports the broader mission of building safer communities across the province.

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 nova-scotia 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.