Police seek $20K reward to help find missing Hamilton woman

The mother of missing Hamilton woman Emily Bailey is hoping a nightmare that’s gone on for more than a year may finally be coming to an end.

Hamilton police say they’ve investigated extensively but don’t know where Bailey is and are now treating the investigation as a homicide.

Lori Bevan spoke to CHCH News Tuesday about the anguish that followed the disappearance of her daughter and her struggle with the possibility that Bailey may not be coming home.

READ MORE: Hamilton police search for missing 23-year-old woman

Bevan said no parent should have to go through what she and her family have endured.

“I’m losing hope. Every day those tears come more and more and the thoughts, and in 18 months nobody should have the thoughts, like a parent should never have the thoughts of where their child is,” Bevan said.

Bailey hasn’t been seen since January 1, 2022. She reportedly left her home on New Year’s Day and disappeared.

She was 23 at the time and has two young daughters.

READ MORE: Forensic evidence collected in missing Hamilton woman case

Police said they’re now asking the Hamilton Police Board to approve a $20,000 reward for information.

In their submission to the board, Police Chief Frank Bergen said investigators believe Bailey was murdered.

He said they “believe there are individuals with knowledge of what happened to Emily Bailey and the location of her remains.”

Police said they hope the reward money would provide an incentive for someone with intimate knowledge to come forward to help solve this murder.

READ MORE: Hamilton police investigate TikTok posted on missing Emily Bailey’s account

Bevan is struggling with the thought that her daughter may have been murdered … or may come home.

“I go down to the beach, the lake, thinking ‘are you in there?’ What a horrible thing to have to think of,” Bevan said.

“I had to tell her five-year-old yesterday that there’s a possibility mommy’s not coming back. And she was just so upset.”

Bevan said she’s convinced somebody knows something about where Bailey is and hopes a reward could help.