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'Life has no meaning': Mother of missing UBC student makes tearful plea for answers

'Life has no meaning': Mother of missing UBC student makes tearful plea for answers

The mother of a missing UBC student from Ecuador made a tearful plea to her son and the public for any information on his whereabouts at an RCMP news conference Thursday morning.

Louis Gonick, 21, was reported missing by friends on April 17 and has not been seen or heard from since.

His mother, Lupe Carrera, appealed to her son and the public for tips on what may have happened.

"Louis, you are the greatest gift that life has given me," she said through tears in Spanish.

"Life has no meaning without you in it, and we are all counting the seconds to see your smile again. You are the most loyal friend and the best son a mother could imagine."

Staff Sgt. Annie Linteau said their investigation revealed Gonick was last seen on April 16 — when he asked a taxi to drop him off at the side of the road by the Stanley Park causeway.

She says an extensive land and water search of the area near the Lions Gate Bridge has not turned up anything.

His banking, social media and cell phone records have been inactive, and there has been no evidence of foul play, she added.

"We continue to explore all avenues of investigation including the fact that Mr. Gonick may have chosen to disappear on his own accord or that he may have ended his own life," she said.

Regardless of whether that is the case, Linteau says her hope is that anyone with relevant information will share it as the family continues to look for answers.

Gonick is described as:

- Hispanic.

- Brown hair.

- Brown eyes.

- Five feet seven inches.

- 141 pounds.

- Last known to be wearing a dark blue shirt, blue jeans, dark blue jacket and grey scarf.