EXCLUSIVE: Friend denies wrongdoing in disappearance of Hamilton’s Emily Bailey

Hamilton police have wrapped up their search of a duplex home in the lower city that they believe may hide evidence related to Emily Bailey’s disappearance and their belief she was met with foul play.

One of the people who lives in the home says she knew Bailey for years, but tells CHCH News she had nothing to do with her disappearance.

She also says Bailey’s boyfriend, Jeff Johnson — who police say was the last person to see her before she disappeared — isn’t involved either.

“I don’t even feel, I’ve never felt that she’s even gone … we had, they have nothing to do with it,” Nicole Margerison said.

Denying any involvement in Bailey’s disappearance, 43-year-old Margerison says her boyfriend, Dean Johnson — who lives with her inside the Stinson Street home — wasn’t involved either. She added that neither was Dean’s brother, Jeff.

When asked if she thought Jeff or Dean had anything to do with it, Margerison replied, “Nothing. Nothing. Nothing at all. It doesn’t make sense.”

Margerison recalls the last time she saw Bailey was on New Year’s Eve at the home on Stinson Street.

“When she left here New Year’s it was like the best New Year’s she was going to have in years,” Margerison said. “They were going home, they were going to hang out, they were going to party together. And that was it. They might have been going to a party later but that was it. When they left she was super happy.”

Police say Bailey was last seen the very next day, Jan. 1, 2022, by Jeff. Officers have long said they believe the 23-year-old mother of two met with foul play.

WATCH MORE: Police execute warrant at Hamilton home in search for missing Emily Bailey

Today, nearly four and a half years after the disappearance, detectives wrapped up an extensive three-day search of Dean and Margerison’s rental unit, which they say was predicated on a new tip.

“We’re here to search for Emily Bailey and any evidence in relation to her disappearance,” Hamilton police Det. John Obrovac said Wednesday.

The storage lockers brought by police Wednesday and filled with objects from inside the home are now empty, with the contents all brought back inside. 

Police declined to say if the search turned up anything to advance the investigation.

Margerison says nothing appeared to be missing from her home.

“All my stuff in my house is everywhere,” Margerison said. “They didn’t dig up the floors, though. They didn’t dig nothing, not a thing. But the floors are all clean.”

Police told CHCH News ground-penetrating radar was not used to check below the basement floor, but also didn’t volunteer if any other methods were employed.

No charges have been laid in Bailey’s disappearance, and police have declined to say if Jeff, his brother Dean, or Margerison are considered suspects in the case.

Investigators say they believe there are people out there who know something about the disappearance but have not come forward yet. They are asking anyone with information to contact them.

WATCH MORE: Police spend second day searching Hamilton home for clues in finding missing Emily Bailey