[e-drive][EQUIFLASH: MISSING PERSON ALERT]

[Patricia Joyce]

~~~~~~~~~~ e-drive ~~~~~~~~~~

For Immediate Release
July 22, 2002
TERRY COSTA - MISSING PERSON ALERT

Vancouver, British Columbia - Terry Costa, new-comer to the Vancouver theatre community and producer of A Queer Theatre (AQT) is believed to have left his residence on Tuesday, July 16 at 7:00 a.m. and has not been seen since. He is not known to be in possession of his cell phone, wallet or any other valuables. It is believed that he may be in possession of his passport. While a phone call was received on the eve of his disappearance, the last known contact with Mr. Costa, was an email sent at 6:00 a.m. to family in Toronto and Vancouver from on internet café on Davie street wherein he indicated an intent to commit suicide. A two-week disappearance last year left him with amnesia.

Terry Costa is described as a white, 28-year-old male, of Portuguese background with blue eyes, standing 187 CM (5' 10"), and weighing 68 K (150LBS). At the time of his disappearance he is believed to have a few days of facial hair and a shaved head. He has been known to wear both sideburns and a goatee. He has significant scarring on his scalp from a motor vehicle accident that is clearly visible. It is believed that he was wearing loose fitting, draw-string cotton pants, a T-shirt, white sneakers or brown sandals, and a regular-sized, grey and white nylon backpack.

Port and Airline authorities have been notified of his disappearance, as have intercontinental bus and passenger train-lines, along with the border crossings. Notices have been posted throughout the Vancouver area with particular emphasis on Vancouver's, Granville, Hastings, Robson Street's, and the West End areas. Posters have also been disseminated through theatre mailing lists, and businesses he is known to have frequented

At the time of his disappearance Mr. Costa was in production for the theatrical fundraiser " Golden Shower" scheduled August 1, 2002 at the Vogue Theatre, and the Summer Frolics Festival", a celebration of the works of Canadian playwright, Sky Gilbert, scheduled, August 7 - 24 at the Roundhouse. At this time both events as envisioned by Mr. Costa have been cancelled for their currently scheduled dates and locations. 

Members of the Vancouver theatre and queer communities are shocked. The individual artists who were involved in the projects are considering future possibilities for these works and hope to have an announcement soon.

Until further notice, AQT, which operated as a sole-proprietorship of Terry Costa, has suspended all business and its bank accounts have been frozen. There has been no activity on the accounts since his disappearance. Those with business concerns or information ONLY should call 778-882-6278 by August 2, 2002.

Doris, the sister he was living with in the Vancouver area, is very concerned and "just wants him back safe and sound."

Those with information leading to his discovery, should contact:
- The Vancouver Police Department, Missing Persons Office at 604-717-2530, or
- Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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