STORY UPDATED
One day after police announced they had found the body of Tim Bosma, Sharlene Bosma made a statement to the media in a press conference held at the Ancaster Christian Reformed Church.
“Yesterday was the most horrifying day of my life,” Bosma said. “I am broken. Part of me is gone.”
Bosma said words cannot express the family’s gratitude to the Hamilton Police Service for finding her husband, to the media for keeping Tim on the hearts and minds of the public, and to the public for its immense outpouring of support. She also asked for prayers for the weeks, months, even years ahead, noting that this will never really be over for them.
“We will remember Tim. Our daughter will grow up knowing how much he loved her, how he would sometimes watch her sleep, or chase her through the house to tickle,” Bosma said through tears. “She will know how much he was loved, by me, his family, his friends, and even perfect strangers. Tim will always be loved, and he will always be remembered. I love you, Tim.”
Heidi DeJonge, a pastor in Kingston, Ontario, invited congregations across the denomination to stand in solidarity with the Ancaster CRC as they are mourning, by singing "In Christ Alone" on Sunday, May 19.
MAY 14 -- On Tuesday, May 14, Hamilton (Ontario) police announced they had found the body of Tim Bosma.
“It is with heavy heart that we announce the death of Ancaster resident Tim Bosma,” said police chief Glenn De Caire.
Bosma, 32, was abducted one week earlier on May 6 after going with two men who came to test drive a black 2007 Dodge Ram pick-up truck he was trying to sell.
“It is only a truck,” a tearful Sharlene Bosma said in news conference a few days after her husband went missing.
The Bosmas are members of Ancaster (Ontario) Christian Reformed Church. They have a 2-year-old daughter. His parents, Hank and Mary, also attend Ancaster CRC.
Bosma’s disappearance made national news headlines across Canada and galvanized church communities, Christian Reformed and many others, across Canada and the U.S. to pray. Sunday church bulletins of Christian Reformed churches across Ontario included information about Bosma’s disappearance with requests to further publicize the search for Bosma and to pray for all concerned.
Social media sites were flooded with words of support and encouragement from around the world. Towns across southern Ontario were plastered with posters seeking information about Bosma’s whereabouts.
John Veenstra, transitional pastor for Ancaster CRC, said the church has been hugely supportive of the family. A prayer vigil 24 hours after Bosma disappeared was attended by 250 people even before the media had picked up the story. Another service held on Friday evening drew more than 400.
“We’re the body of Jesus. When one part hurts, we all hurt, and then we take it to the Lord in prayer,” Veenstra said.
Sharlene Bosma echoed that faith in her statement to the media. “Our faith in God has been keeping us strong and has been getting us through the past few days.”
Police have one suspect in custody and are seeking as many as three others.
About the Author
Gayla Postma retired as news editor for The Banner in 2020.