In the early hours of March 17, 1995, six teenage boys from Pickering, Ontario, vanished without a trace. Jay Boyle, Michael Cummins, Daniel Higgins, Jamie Lefebvre, Chad Smith, and Robbie Rumboldt, all between the ages of 16 and 18, had spent the evening at a house party before making their way to the shores of Lake Ontario. It is believed that, in the spirit of youthful adventure, they decided to take boats out onto the lake—despite the frigid temperatures and the dangers of the open water.

Sometime between 12:50 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., the boys were last seen near Frenchman’s Bay, a small harbor in Pickering. By morning, they were gone. Concerned parents and friends reported them missing, and an extensive search effort was launched. Investigators found that two boats and a three-wheeled ATV were also missing, leading authorities to conclude that the boys had attempted to cross the lake. However, no distress calls were made, and no bodies or wreckage were ever found.

Despite an exhaustive search by the Canadian Coast Guard and local authorities, only a gas canister—matching one from one of the missing boats—washed up on the shores of nearby Wilson, New York, weeks later. Beyond that, there were no signs of the boys or their vessels. The case baffled investigators, as the lake that night was reported to be rough and unfit for such an excursion. Some theorized that the boys capsized and drowned in the icy waters, while others speculated that they may have made it to land and disappeared under more mysterious circumstances.

Over the years, many theories have emerged, including possible foul play, an attempted escape from troubled home lives, or even a run-in with criminal activity on the waterfront. The lack of physical evidence has kept the case open, fueling speculation and hope among the families that answers may still come to light.

Decades later, the Lost Boys of Pickering remain one of Canada’s most haunting unsolved mysteries. What really happened on that fateful night?