A 17-Year-Old Was Murdered. Now His Family Is Fighting for the Truth.
On May 16, 2026, the lives of one Toronto family changed forever.
Every parent dreams of watching their child grow up, build a future, and live a long life.
Since that day, the family has dedicated every waking moment to seeking the truth—not only about how Damien died, but about everything that happened in the months leading up to his death.
This is not just the story of a murder.
It is the story of a family that spent months desperately trying to save their child.
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“He Was Selling Drugs. He Wasn’t Innocent - Where were the parents ?”.
Those are comments the family say they hear regularly.
Their response is simple.
They already knew.
In fact, they say they were the ones who told police and made it public.
From the very beginning, when Damien disappeared in September 2025, the family informed police that they believed Damien was recruited into selling drugs.
They never hid that fact.
No parent wants to publicly admit that their child was involved in selling drugs.
But the family believed the truth mattered more than protecting their own feelings.
According to the family, they told police because they believed Damien was in serious danger.
They say they repeatedly warned investigators that they believed Damien had been taken from Toronto to another city and was being used to sell drugs.
According to the family, that was one of the main reasons they feared for his safety.
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They Never Stopped Looking
When the family felt their concerns were not being fully addressed, they began searching on their own.
They spent countless hours reviewing social media, following digital trails, contacting people, and chasing every lead they could find.
Eventually…
They found Damien themselves.
Not once.
Twice.
According to the family, both times they convinced Damien to come home.
The last time was April 15, 2026.
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What They Saw Changed Them Forever
When Damien walked through the front door…
The family says they were shocked.
They describe him as being extremely thin and appearing malnourished.
They say his body had bruises.
They say he had long, deep scratches on multiple areas of his body.
According to the family, Damien was limping badly, and his foot appeared to be seriously injured—possibly even broken.
Damien’s parents and sister all say they personally witnessed his physical condition.
According to the family, they believed Damien had been physically harmed while he was away and became deeply concerned about the environment in which he had been living.
While Damien was home, he stayed with his family.
From everything they personally observed, the family says Damien was not drinking alcohol, did not appear to be under the influence of drugs, and was acting like the Damien they knew and loved.
They remember him laughing with them.
Spending time together.
For the first time in months…
They believed they were finally getting their son back and promised he was done and never going back.
The family arranged to take Damien to the hospital because they were deeply concerned about his injuries, his weight, and his overall health.
According to the family, Damien refused.
One week later…
On April 22, 2026, he left again.
After Damien’s death, the family says they gained access to his accounts and discovered messages which, in their view, showed he had been persuaded to return after previously coming home. They say those messages were later provided to police as part of the investigation.
Just three weeks later…
Their 17-year-old son was murdered.
One of the last messages the family says they received from Damien read:
“I’ll be home in four days.”
He never made it home.
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The Questions That Keep Them Awake
Nearly a month after Damien was murdered, the family says they had to contact police themselves because no investigator had reached out asking questions or requesting information.
According to the family, they were told during those conversations that, up to that point in the investigation, police did not believe drugs were involved.
They say they were shocked.
The family maintains that drugs had been one of the very first concerns they raised when Damien disappeared with evidence.
They say they had been telling police that from the very beginning.
According to the family, that is one of the reasons they eventually chose to make this information public.
Not because they wanted people to judge their son.
But because they believed the full picture needed to be understood.
According to the family, based on everything they knew before Damien’s death and the information they have gathered since, they believe robbery may have been a factor in what happened to Damien as he was found with no belongings no clothes not even a pair of shoes - no drugs and no money that he was recently sharing with friends on social media. Those pics and videos are now evidence and have been preserved and sent to the police.
The family continues to seek answers about the circumstances surrounding his death and hope the criminal justice process will determine exactly what occurred.
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Why They Need Your Help
Since losing Damien, the family says they have spent hundreds of hours gathering records, preserving evidence, building timelines, filing Freedom of Information requests, communicating with investigators, and trying to understand exactly what happened before and after their son’s death.
They are now seeking experienced legal counsel to help them:
* Review the circumstances surrounding Damien’s death.
* Obtain and analyze police and government records.
* Examine how their repeated warnings and requests for help were handled.
* Navigate Freedom of Information appeals.
* Protect Damien’s rights and memory.
* Determine whether civil legal action is appropriate.
* Ensure every lawful avenue for accountability is explored.
The family believes this fight is far bigger than themselves.
If what happened to Damien can help prevent another child from suffering the same fate…
Then they owe it to him to keep fighting.
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This Isn’t About Pretending Damien Was Perfect
The family has never claimed Damien was perfect.
They acknowledge that he made mistakes.
But they also point out that he was 17 years old.
He was still their child.
Children can make mistakes.
Children can be manipulated.
Children can be groomed.
Children can be exploited.
None of that means they deserve to die.
None of that means they stop being someone’s son.
The family believes justice is not reserved for perfect people.
Justice exists because every human life has value.
Every child deserves protection.
Every family deserves answers.
Every victim deserves a thorough investigation.
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Help the Family Continue Fighting for Damien
The family is seeking donations to retain experienced legal counsel and continue their search for the truth.
If you are unable to donate, they ask that you consider sharing Damien’s story.
Help ensure he is never forgotten.
Help seek accountability.
Help seek justice.
Forever 17.
Forever Loved.
Never Forgotten.
Justice for Damien Joshua Rego.