RCMP interference made large private reward unattainable

Summary

After a meeting with the lead RCMP investigator, conditions were added to a ^US$50,000 private reward, which essentially rendered the reward unattainable.

Details

On February 1, 2022, an administrator of the "Lisa Marie Young" Facebook group was contacted by an anonymous American offering a ^US$50,000 reward for resolution to Lisa's case. The benefactor had learned of Lisa's story by listening to the Island Crime podcast.

Alberni Valley Times, February 2, 2022 (Chris Bush)

The reward was immediately discussed in the Facebook group, and initially, there were no specific attached conditions. Group members were informed that the funds would soon be sent to group admin Cyndy Hall to hold "in trust".

The next day, a meeting took place between Carol Frank, Cyndy Hall, and lead RCMP investigator Markus Muntener. Afterwards, it was announced that the reward would only be paid out to someone who:

1. provided the exact location of Lisa's remains, and,
2. would be willing to identify themselves and testify in open court.

It is believed that the lead investigator encouraged Lisa's family members to add these conditions.

After 20 years and 800+ tips from the public, it may be counterproductive to add new conditions that make it less likely that an informant would come forward, especially by denying the ability for informants to remain anonymous.

This essentially rendered the reward unattainable.

🛈 This isn't finished. This incomplete version of this page has been uploaded as a "placeholder".

There is more to this story, much of it available online with the lisamarieyoung.ca search page, or within Lisa's Wikipedia page, the 100's of media articles and dozens of privately-produced podcasts discussing Lisa's "disappearance".

See also

• CHEK News (Feb 1, 2022) Large reward offered for information about Lisa Marie Young
• Alberni Valley Times (Feb 2, 2022) $50,000 reward offered for location of missing Vancouver Island woman's remains
• Nanaimo News Bulletin (Feb 2, 2022) $50,000 reward offered for location of missing Nanaimo woman's remains
• NanaimoNewsNow (Feb 2, 2022) Cash reward offered for information leading to remains of Lisa Marie Young
• Van Isle Free Daily (Feb 2, 2022) $50,000 reward offered for location of missing Nanaimo woman's remains
• Ha-Shilth-Sa (Feb 3, 2022) Anonymous donor posts $50,000 reward for information on Lisa Marie Young
• CTV News (Feb 10, 2022) $50K reward offered to locate missing Nanaimo woman's remains
• CTV News (Feb 15, 2022) Women's Memorial March commemorated on Vancouver Island
• Victoria Buzz (Feb 22, 2022) $50,000 reward being offered for whereabouts of Vancouver Island woman who went missing two decades ago
• NanaimoNewsNow (June 26, 2022) Disappearance of Nanaimo woman approaches 20 years as quest for answers continues
• Ha-Shilth-Sa (June 27, 2022) Dozens walk for Lisa Marie Young on 20th year of disappearance
• Identity of "anonymous donor" revealed in Island Crime podcast episode s1e11: Red Jag Guy #2
• More information in the Lisa Marie Young Facebook Group]