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‘I’m preparing for the worst:’ mother of missing N.B. man

Jun 17, 2016 | 3:36 PM

It’s been 11 days since a North Battleford man went missing, and his family said his disappearance has turned their lives into a “living Hell.”

Andrew Sawatzky was last seen Sunday, June 5 in North Battleford. His mother, Tammy Ring, said her life is now consumed with looking for him.

“From the time I get up, to the time I go to bed, I’m searching and looking. I’ve had so many people say he’s dead, so many people say he’s here or there or wherever else. It’s very depressing. As a mother, there’s really no words to explain that your child is missing. It’s a big part of you that’s gone,” she said in between bursts of tears.

Since his disappearance, Ring said they’ve heard he’s been sighted in North Battleford, Prince Albert, Maidstone and Edmonton, but nothing has been confirmed.

She suspects someone is behind her son’s disappearance, but couldn’t confirm any theories.

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“How does a 6’2”, 250 lbs. person just vanish? It doesn’t happen,” she said as she reached for another Kleenex.

Sawatzky’s mother said her son struggled with depression. She alleged he had a “toxic” relationship with his wife, from whom he recently separated. This led to a rift in the family, but, according to Ring, they were working on repairing their connection. She admitted, however, his depression made reconnecting difficult.

“I said ‘I love you, I love you with all of my heart, but you’re this person I don’t know.’ He’s always been a clown, and then all of a sudden it’s gone,” she said as she wrung her Kleenex between her fingers.

Ring said everyone has been affected, even her four-year-old grandson.

“He goes and knocks on [Sawatzky’s] door and says ‘Uncle gone? Uncle gone? Where’s uncle?’ He’s only four, he doesn’t understand,’” she said.

If anyone has seen Sawatzky, they are asked to contact Battlefords RCMP or Crimestoppers. Ring’s only wish was for her and her family’s ordeal to, somehow, resolve itself soon.

“My daughter messages me every day asking what we’re going to do, and I don’t have answers,” she said. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I’m the mom and I don’t know where to turn anymore.

ssterritt@panow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit