Victim of notorious Saint John child predator shares his story

Bobby Hayes talks about being sexually abused by former Saint John, NB police
officer Kenneth Estabrooks, and the damage done to dozens of his friends.

This week on 16×9, we update an exclusive report we originally aired in September 2013.

Our story featured the dark memories of survivors of childhood sexual assaults committed by former Saint John, N.B., police officer Kenneth Estabrooks. The abuses spanned 25 years from 1957 to 1982 and it was the first time many of the survivors had ever told anyone their stories. Over a six-month investigation, we uncovered the names of 40 victims and communicated directly with ten.

Then, just two days after our story aired, the City of Saint John revealed shocking new victim numbers that were much higher than anyone had imagined. Investigators hired by the city said they had received information leading them to believe Estabrooks assaulted 263 children, making him one of the worst child predators in Canadian history.

But still, the victims were shrouded in secrecy. They would only speak to 16×9 on the condition of anonymity.

Now, for the first time, one of the survivors is stepping out of the shadows.  (more...)

Victim of notorious Saint John child predator shares his story