UPDATE: Montreal police confirm the body of Cottard was found in the Notre-Dame Basin at Parc Jean-Drapeau on April 20, 2015. They do not believe it was a criminal matter.
The extended family of a man originally from Normandy, France has crossed the Atlantic to help in the search David Jean Cottard, 42, who left his work downtown at lunchtime on Monday December 15 and has not been seen since.
Authorities had been hoping that a woman in her early twenties, who appeared to be standing with Cottard near a cash machine in a video surveillance image might help in the search. Police have since located and interviewed the woman but they now confirm that she had nothing to do with Cottard.
Cottard's metro pass has also failed to turn up any leads as it has not been used since his disappearance. He had also not used any of his bank or credit cards.
Cottard would routinely park his car at a bus terminal near his home in Joliette and take public transit to his work near The Bay in downtown Montreal.
Cottard, who moved to Quebec about two decades ago, was last seen having lunch at Complexes Desjardins.
Cottard's brother has come to Montreal from Brazil to do what he can in the search.
He told CTV Montreal that the family is not enjoying Christmas with the stress of his absence.
"This is nothing like the person we know so this is why we are extremely worried," said the man's brother Aurelien Cottard. "If I could have my brother with me for Christmas it would be the best Christmas of my life."
Cottard stands 5’8” (1.72m) and weighs 250 lbs (113.5 kg). Anybody with information is asked to contact police or Info-Crime at 514-393-1133. A Facebook page has been set up to help spread the word.
