Canadian Family Discovers Hundreds of Stuffed Toys Used as Wall Insulation

Connor Nijsse expected the usual renovation headaches—mold, maybe a critter or two—when he began removing old drywall in his garage. But instead of the typical issues, he found something completely unexpected: a stash of stuffed animals hidden behind the walls.

Saanich Core Couple Uncovers Hidden Stuffed Animal Trove in Garage Wall

“It’s hard to believe,” Connor said, still surprised by the discovery. “This is just strange.”

His wife, Brianne Hinkkuri, started filming as Connor pulled down another section of drywall. To their disbelief, even more stuffed toys were packed behind the wall, all the way up to the ceiling.

“It’s unreal!” Brianne can be heard saying on the video. “You couldn’t make this up!”

Rather than insulation, the couple found a collection of stuffed animals filling the entire wall. Neither of them could explain why or how the toys got there, and since they don’t have contact with the home’s former owners, it remains a mystery.

They decided to share the bizarre find on TikTok, thinking their friends would get a kick out of it. But within days, the video had exploded, reaching over five million views.

“We realized people wanted to see more,” Connor said, laughing. “So, we kept sharing!”

How Many Stuffed Animals Did They Find?

In a follow-up video, the couple showed the 115 stuffed animals they had removed and cleaned. Then something even more surprising happened: people began recognizing the toys. One viewer, Angela McNellan from Guelph, Ontario, thought one of the toys looked familiar.

“I was watching the video, and I thought, ‘That’s just like my fluffy yellow duck!’” Angela shared.

Angela explained that she had a beloved stuffed duck as a child, but it had been thrown away years ago after it became too worn. She had been searching for a replacement ever since.

Hearing her story, Connor and Brianne decided to send Angela not just one of the ducks, but two—so her young daughters could each have one.

“This isn’t just about toys; it’s about memories,” Connor said. “These stuffed animals have sentimental value.”

Sending The Stuffed Animals All Around The World

The couple has since received messages from people all over the world, sharing their own stories of childhood toys. Connor has made it his mission to reunite as many of the stuffed animals as possible with new or familiar homes, sending them across North America and even to the UK.

Angela’s pair of ducks arrived safely, and she was touched by the gesture. “It feels like such a Canadian thing to do,” Angela said, showing her children cuddling the ducks. “It’s bringing happiness to so many people.”

After years trapped behind walls, these stuffed animals are finally getting a second chance to bring comfort and joy to families again.