Const. Jack Eubank, with the Nanaimo RCMP, said police inquiries continued Thursday with no new information pointing to either finding her or the possibility of foul play.
But Joanne Young did say police had wanted to talk with one man they termed a "person of interest."
But Const. Jack Eubank, with the Nanaimo RCMP, said investigators become more concerned with every day that passes without learning what has become of her. He said they have a number of tips they want to follow up, including a claim that Young left the club as a passenger in a dark vehicle with a group of friends.
Const. Jack Eubank said Monday five serious crimes investigators were working on the case. Eubank said they have had two dozen tips officers were looking into and, "and more are coming in."
The disappearance is apparently causing the family great stress. On Monday, Eubank requested news outlets to direct all inquiries to himself rather than the Youngs. "The family is beginning to feel the strain of the disappearance of their daughter and the many requests from news outlets," said Eubank.
Anyone with information about Young or her whereabouts, or who saw her on Saturday* night, is asked to call police.
Police now believe foul play is involved in the mysterious disappearance of a young Nanaimo woman on the Canada Day weekend.
"Given there was no reason for her to disappear, that she had no history of running away and that everyone she knew said she was a reliable person, police could reach no other conclusion," said Const. Jack Eubank, spokesman for the Nanaimo RCMP.
"Everything else has come up negative," he said. "We've just run out of options."
One of the 40 tips, which serious crime investigators continue to examine, is that Young was last seen in a red or burgundy-coloured Jaguar outside The Jungle Cabaret at closing time. Eubank said police have spoken with the owner of that vehicle, but Eubank said they still need details on its movements.
Anyone who saw a burgundy 1980s Jaguar in Nanaimo the night of June 30 or on the morning of July 1 is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.
Concerns about Lisa were first raised by the Youngs, who called police at 11:30 a.m. July 1.
Nanaimo RCMP now believe a 21-year-old woman who went missing 10 days ago has met with foul play.
Const. Jack Eubank said Tuesday investigators met with Lisa Marie Young's family to tell them of their suspicions. He did not say what brought investigators to that conclusion.
Police are looking for information on a late 1980s burgundy Jaguar in which she was seen riding.
Police now believe foul play is involved in the mysterious disappearance of a young Nanaimo woman on the Canada Day weekend.
"There was no reason for her to disappear, she had no history of running away and everyone she knew said she was a reliable person, so police could reach no other conclusion," said RCMP spokesman Const. Jack Eubank.
Police say there is no truth to a rumour that the body of Lisa Young has been found in the Ladysmith area. Const. Jack Eubank, spokesman with the Nanaimo RCMP, said Thursday the false information has even turned up on some Internet sites. The rumour also reached the family, causing them considerable distress.
While police have said they believe Lisa has met with foul play, officially police are investigating a missing person. Investigators with the Nanaimo RCMP serious crimes unit continue to follow up tips, now at more than 100.
Police say it appears to be foul play because they have now ruled every other possibility.
Last week, Const. Jack Eubank, with the Nanaimo RCMP said the rumour surfaced on some chat sites on the Internet. Rumours also claim a body was found in Ladysmith.
Eubank said Monday there have been no new developments in the investigation, which remains a missing person's case although foul play is suspected.
Police are also repeating their request for help from the public.
Constable Jack Eubank, with the Nanaimo RCMP says there have been no new developments in the investigation, which remains a missing person's case although foul play is suspected.
While police appear to have few new leads that might lead them to her, her relatives have not given up hope.
Police say Young was last seen leaving the Jungle Cabaret around 2 a.m.
Meanwhile, police appear to be no closer to solving the mystery of Young's disappearance, despite numerous tips. "We've received well over 100 to 150 tips on the case," says Const. Jack Eubank of the Nanaimo RCMP. "Each of them is being followed up on as early as possible."
Police suspect foul play — and while the family continue to hope for a miracle, they're privately bracing themselves for the worst.
The family is also concentrating efforts on Qualicum Beach, the home of the man police have identified as the driver of the Jaguar.
Police have spoken to the man, now being held in Saskatchewan awaiting trial on a charge of assaulting a police officer. Nanaimo RCMP have issued a warrant for his arrest for breaching a conditional sentence on matters unrelated to Lisa Marie's case.
"We will find the truth about Lisa's disappearance one day," says Const. Jack Eubank. "Somebody does know. Somebody can take us over and around that wall."
Police will conduct a new search for a 21-year-old missing Nanaimo woman in "the days ahead" after getting a recent tip.
Const. Jack Eubank said police got the tip in August and investigators had intended to begin the search after the Labour Day long weekend. The search, however, was delayed after the Sept. 1 shooting of Rosella Centis. A team of investigators, including those investigating Lisa Young's disappearance, worked around the clock following the shooting. A suspect was arrested Sept. 3 and the investigation continued in the days after.
Eubank did not say where they would be searching for clues to Young's disappearance. Police have already searched other locations, but nothing has led them to the whereabouts of the 21-year-old.
About a week later, after ruling out the possibility Young had run away, police called her disappearance suspicious and asked for public assistance. The Nanaimo RCMP serious crimes unit then began an intensive investigation.
Among the tips police had was that Young was last seen leaving The Jungle Cabaret in the early hours of Aug. 5 in a maroon Jaguar. Police tracked down the vehicle and the driver and the investigation continues.
Police are still interested in hearing from anyone who might have new information.
Nanaimo RCMP will begin conducting land searches Tuesday as they continue to investigate the disappearance of a 21-year-old woman missing for more than two months.
Several unidentified areas near Nanaimo will be searched as police continue to look for evidence of the whereabouts of Lisa Marie Young.
Constable Jack Eubank has said police suspect foul play in the disappearance of Young, who was last seen early June 30*.
Nanaimo RCMP will conduct pointed searches this week for the body of a 21-year-old woman who has been missing since she was spotted getting into a Jaguar after a party in the early hours of June 30*.
Although police have not released the exact location of the search, they have said that they made the decision to examine several areas after receiving information in relation to the investigation.
Police have identified the driver of the red Jaguar and spoken to the man, who is in custody pending charges unrelated to Lisa Marie's case. RCMP have not identified him as a suspect, but say he continues to be a part of the investigation.
The officers, two with search dogs, split into groups to begin their grim task at Doumont and Biggs Roads. The search began around 9 a.m. and ended shortly before noon. Police found "nothing significant to the investigation," said Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Jack Eubank. He would say only that information they received last month led to the search.
Four months after her mysterious disappearance, police continue to investigate what became of Lisa Young.
Cpl. Doug Hogg, with the Nanaimo RCMP serious crimes unit, said they have no new leads or information which they think may solve the mystery. He said they are continuing to follow up leads already given them.
"Things are progressing, albeit slowly," said Hogg.
They contacted police, who initiated a missing persons investigation. Within a week they concluded Young's disappearance was suspicious and asked for assistance from the public. Police identified a vehicle she was last seen in, and questioned the driver.
A number of weeks ago nearly two-dozen officers searched a rural area on the western edge of the city. It was apparent they were looking for a body.
Police are no closer to solving the disappearance of a young Nanaimo woman missing now since July, or the murder of another young Nanaimo woman whose body was found outside of Campbell River in May 2000.
While Young does not fit the same profile, not being a drug addict or in the sex trade, both women were about the same age and of aboriginal heritage. Dammann said police have no reason to think there is a connection between Young and Banman, but all possibilities are being considered.
"If there are any areas of connection with Lisa Young, we will be in contact with investigators in Nanaimo," he said.
If you have any information please call me (250) 725-2765 or her parents Don & Joanne Young at (250) 758-2037 or her Uncle RCMP Constable Mike Martin at (250) 838-0703 or the Nanaimo RCMP at (250) 754-2345.
Lisa remains missing and while everyone suspects the worst, police have been unable to bring any certainty to the Youngs or the community about what happened to her.
Don and his wife Joanne called police when on the holiday Monday their daughter had not been heard from. About a week later, police said they considered Lisa's disappearance foul play.
The man was questioned by police, but has not been named as a suspect.
Young's frustration has led him to make his own inquiries in the last 10 months, and he is convinced of certain things which RCMP investigators are not commenting on publicly.
Const. Jack Eubank, spokesman. for the Nanaimo RCMP, said police have gone from nearly daily briefings with the Youngs to less frequent contact because there is little new to tell them. When more information arises which police can share, he said, they will.
"We completely understand the emotions Don and Joanne must be going through," said Eubank. "But there haven't been a lot of developments in the investigation."
Investigators, said Eubank, would also prefer that as the one-year marker of Lisa's disappearance approaches they could solve the case.
Don and his wife Joanne called police when on the holiday Monday their daughter had not been heard from. About a week later, police said they considered Lisa's disappearance foul play.
The man was questioned by police, but has not been named as a suspect.
Young's frustration has led him to make his own inquiries in the last 10 months, and he is convinced of certain things which RCMP investigators are not commenting on publicly.
Const. Jack Eubank, spokesman. for the Nanaimo RCMP, said police have gone from nearly daily briefings with the Youngs to less frequent contact because there is little new to tell them. When more information arises which police can share, he said, they will.
"We completely understand the emotions Don and Joanne must be going through," said Eubank. "But there haven't been a lot of developments in the investigation."
Investigators, said Eubank, would also prefer that as the one-year marker of Lisa's disappearance approaches they could solve the case.
Her parents phoned RCMP on June 30th, 2002*, but RCMP did not launch their actual ground search until September 17, 2002. They conducted the search in the Doumont/Mitchell Rd. area of Nanaimo, but found nothing.
Sgt. Doug Chisholm of the Nanaimo Serious Crimes Unit said that on began the day Lisa was reported missing. Although he did not mention when the actual ground search took place he said they immediately responded by tracing Lisa's last contact with people and where she was last seen, "By the end of the first week we had concerns and in fact were very focused on the investigation," Chisholm said.
"We just had to help out," he said, "We went out there without any police assistance." Francis supports the family in speaking out about their lack of confidence in Nanaimo RCMP's handling of Lisa's case. "Our relationship with RCMP isn't the best to begin with," he said, "This situation doesn't help."
A man was taken into police custody earlier this year on other charges and was questioned by RCMP regarding Lisa's disappearance. Police searched the man's maroon Jaguar using infrared light and DNA testing and found no evidence that could keep him in custody. He was released shortly after, though the RCMP told the Youngs they were sure he was withholding information critical to the case. Don was distraught and prepared to alert media about the man's release. Two officers from the Nanaimo detachment showed up at their house, warning Don they would charge him with obstruction of justice if he pursued media coverage. RCMP said they did not want the Young's "interfering with the integrity of the RCMP".
Sgt. Chisholm is hesitant to discuss the case as it is still an active investigation, but admitted Lisa's case is a missing person's case with suspected foul play.
"Suffice to say we feel strongly about an individual, but there isn't sufficient evidence to charge him," Chisholm said.
"I hesitate greatly to discuss this as there hasn't been sufficient evidence to charge anyone," he said.
However, RCMP admitted to believing there is a connection between Lisa's disappearance and the individual. Joanne was warned on a separate occasion via a letter on RCMP letterhead for telling one Nanaimo paper about the man who was taken into custody then released.
Persistent in the search for her daughter, Joanne contacted Crime Stoppers and inquired about making a re-enactment video of the last place Lisa was seen. Constable Jossee Smith of Crime Stoppers instructed Joanne that one of the investigators of Lisa's case would have to request a re-enactment video be made as they hold the file with all information pertaining to Lisa's disappearance.
Joanne then asked one of the investigators to make the request to make the request to Crime Stoppers and he told her he didn't feel it would be helpful at this time, In fact, Constable Jack Eubank, spokesman for the RCMP in Nanaimo, made a media statement saying Crime Stoppers no longer does re-enactments of crimes. According to Constable Smith, Crime Stoppers still makes re-enactment videos. When Smith was then asked what the process is to make a re-enactment video she said, "it is always up to the investigator; they send in their request either by fax or by phone with details of the files and pictures".
Don and Joanne are concerned because communication with RCMP has all but stopped. Much of their time is spent waiting for officers to return phone calls. Don emailed the investigators expressing his frustration with the lack of communication and in a returned email investigators responded with apologies for their lack of communication, explaining communications have dwindled because they have nothing to tell them yet.
Sgt. Chisholm spoke highly of the investigators in charge of Lisa's case. "We've been fairly open with the Young's," he said. "We have very dedicated people committed to pursuing the investigation." He explained again the hesitancy investigators had about providing much information about the case as it is an active investigation.
Police have again had to issue a statement to refute rumours that a young woman missing for than a year has been located.
On Thursday Const. Jack Eubank, spokesman for the Nanaimo RCMP, issued a news release stating all such rumours about Lisa Young are untrue.
"Over the last several weeks there have been rumours circulating around the Nanaimo area suggesting that Lisa Young has been located," he said. "Nanaimo RCMP are advising that Lisa has not been found and that the matter is still under active investigation. RCMP further wish to advise that these rumours are causing a great deal of anguish and distress to Lisa's family."
Young went missing on the Canada Day long weekend last year and police believe she was a victim of foul play. So far they have been unable to collect enough evidence to confirm what happened to her, or to make an arrest.
"Aliens are the only ones we haven't heard (about)," observes Nanaimo RCMP Const. Jack Eubank.
The driver of the burgundy Jaguar , a 20-something man, is still considered "a person of interest," says Eubank.
Eubank insists the case is still alive.
It's not a club police readily associate with trouble. "It was a long weekend and downtown, says Eubank, was "a happenin' place."
It was about 2 a.m. outside the club that police have their last sighting of her.
But RCMP refuse to confirm any of this. The Youngs don't even know where the driver claims he dropped off their daughter. It is not unusual for police to be vague about possible future evidence, particularly in what Eubank calls "a complex investigation."
Apparently the Youngs were a little too free with information the RCMP had once shared with them. They even received a letter, basically cutting them off from further details from the RCMP.
At one time her husband began e-mailing the grandparent, until he was warned off by the RCMP.
Eubank won't confirm this or even that Joanne Young late in July 2002 was taken by RCMP to confront the Jaguar driver, in a small room with a large photo of her daughter and a white board on which the troubling words, "Rape," "murder" and "accident" were written.
"He doesn't look like a monster," she recalls telling the RCMP officer. "Monsters," he replied, "come in all shapes and sizes."
While the RCMP won't confirm any of this, those familiar with RCMP investigation techniques say Young's account is plausible.
"Aliens are the only ones we haven't heard (about)," observes Nanaimo RCMP Const. Jack Eubank.
If nothing else, the psychics give the parents a sense of something happening in an investigation which, in their eyes, petered out with the police questioning and releasing the Jaguar driver within weeks of her disappearance. The burgundy car had been searched.
Eubank insists the case is still alive.
But RCMP refuse to confirm any of this. The Youngs don't even know where the driver claims he dropped off their daughter. It is not unusual for police to be vague about possible future evidence, particularly in what Eubank calls "a complex investigation."
Apparently the Youngs were a little too free with information the RCMP had once shared with them. They were basically cut off from receiving further details from the RCMP.
Her husband begun e-mailing the grandparent, until he was warned off by the RCMP.
Eubank won't confirm this or even that Joanne Young late in July 2002 was taken by RCMP to confront the Jaguar driver, in a small room with a large photo of her daughter and a white board on which the troubling words, "Rape," "murder" and "accident" were written.
While the RCMP won't confirm any of this, those familiar with RCMP investigation techniques say Young's account is plausible.
The investigation into the death of Lisa Young may not be active at this time, but it will never close until police determine conclusively what happened to the Nanaimo woman.
While officially she is missing, police believe she met with foul play.
"Aliens are the only ones we haven't heard (about)," observes Nanaimo RCMP Const. Jack Eubank.
Eubank insists the case is still alive.
But RCMP refuse to confirm any of this. The Youngs don't even know where the driver claims he dropped off their daughter. It is not unusual for police to be vague about possible future evidence, particularly in what Eubank calls "a complex investigation."
Apparently the Youngs were a little too free with information the RCMP had once shared with them. They even received a letter, basically cutting them off from further details from the RCMP.
At one time her husband begun e-mailing the grandparent, until he was warned off by the RCMP.
Eubank won't confirm this or even that Joanne Young late in July 2002 was taken by RCMP to confront the Jaguar driver, in a small room with a large photo of her daughter and a white board on which the troubling words, "Rape," "murder" and "accident" were written.
What struck her about the driver was how unlike she imagined him to be. "He doesn't look like a monster," she recalls telling the RCMP officer. "Monsters," he replied, "come in all shapes and sizes."
While the RCMP won't confirm any of this, those familiar with RCMP investigation techniques say Young's account is plausible.
A police investigation has not yet yielded enough information to make an arrest.
Earlier this year, Staff Sgt. Randy Munro, head of the Nanaimo RCMP serious crimes unit, said investigators are still looking for that final piece of information that will solve the case.
"Anything that comes to our attention provincewide we're following up," said Munro. "So far, there's been nothing."
Lisa Marie Young disappeared on the Canada Day long weekend in 2002. Within weeks the police determined that she had met with foul play, but have yet to gather enough evidence to charge anyone.
While police will not release details, they say an autopsy revealed that Banman met with foul play. Lisa Marie Young, 21, disappeared on the Canada Day long weekend in 2002. Within weeks, police determined that she had met with foul play, but have yet to gather enough evidence to charge anyone.
Serious crimes investigators from Nanaimo sought leads on the streets. Even the missing women's task force looked at Banman's file and could draw no conclusions. "It's been reviewed by different sections. There's not a heck of a lot we can do with the information we have right now," said Dammann.
Family frustrated over lack of shared information from tight-lipped RCMP
While the official word from the Nanaimo RCMP is that Young is missing, since they cannot prove otherwise, very shortly after her disappearance investigators said they believe she met with foul play.
"Basically the police have said Lisa Marie's file is still open. They can't share anything else with me because they say it may jeopardize the investigation," said Joanne Young.
While she understands that the officers working on the case have good reasons to remain tight-lipped, Joanne Young remains frustrated. "The only time we hear from them is when we call them," she said.
Sgt. Doug Hogg, with the Nanaimo RCMP serious crimes unit, said the investigation into Young's disappearance remains "open and very active" but could say little more. "We haven't shelved it and nor will we," said Hogg.
While the official word from the Nanaimo RCMP is that Young is missing since they cannot prove otherwise, very shortly after her disappearance investigators said they believe she met with foul play.
Police conducted a number of searches, interviews were done with people on or close to the street who might know something and to this day nothing has emerged to lead to an arrest. "Basically the police have said Lisa Marie's file is still open. They can't share anything else with me because they say it may jeopardize the investigation," said Joanne Young. While she understands that the officers working on the case have good reasons to remain tight lipped, Joanne Young remains frustrated. "The only time we hear from them is when we call them," she said.
Sgt. Doug Hogg, with the Nanaimo RCMP serious crimes unit, said the investigation into Young's disappearance remains "open and very active" but could say little more. "We haven't shelved it and nor will we."
The RCMP, however, said releasing a list of all 114 unsolved files, some of which date back to 1924, would compromise investigations and upset families. "The broad scope of your request would identify all files as unsolved homicides, which may or may not be the case," Const. Darren Lagan of Island District's strategic communications office wrote in a July 31 e-mail. "The RCMP investigates all suspicious deaths as homicides, until such time as evidence proves otherwise. Given this fact, there may well be incidents contained in the 114 files, which ultimately, are not homicides. The families, and survivors of the deceased in these matters may be negatively impacted by media reports identifying their loved ones as part of "unsolved homicide" files." Lagan said the decision to withhold the list was made after discussions with the investigators as well as Chief Supt. Rick Betker, commanding officer of the Island District. "The RCMP remains committed to these investigations, and the families involved," Lagan said. "Should this response not meet your satisfaction, you may choose to proceed further in ascertaining your requested information via an access to information request."
The Times Colonist made a second attempt a week later, asking for a list of confirmed homicides that remain unsolved, as well as a separate list of all unsolved missing persons cases without indicating which might involve foul play. The RCMP has yet to respond.
Joanne Young, whose daughter Lisa Marie Young vanished from Nanaimo in 2002, found it "incredible" that the RCMP would refuse an opportunity to publicize cold cases and generate tips. "I just find it unreal that they're not out there to help," she said. The families are already upset, her husband, Don Young, said. "You don't really get over it anyway," he said. "My opinion would be that most people who are going through this would be happy to see something come up about it."
However, RCMP headquarters placed a ban on detachment commanders from speaking to the media about the cases, referring questions to the E Division communications sections or to the Island District Major Crime Unit — an integrated unit of Mounties and Victoria police officers. The RCMP's unsolved homicide unit in Vancouver also refused interview requests. Late last week, the RCMP finally lifted the ban, but by then, a number of detachment commanders were unavailable for comment or didn't have time to review the files. The decision to withhold a comprehensive list of unsolved cases and thwart interviews represents a departure for the RCMP. In the past, the Vancouver major crime section provided the media with lists of unsolved homicides, all of which are reported to the Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System (ViCLAS), a computer system for spotting possible serial killers and rapists. In some cases, the force provided ViCLAS printouts of cases broken down by occupation of the victim. The RCMP's national website also highlights a number of B.C.'s unsolved cases. But it's unclear why some cases are featured and not others.
Note: Crime Stoppers re-enactment video narrated by Cst. Gary O'Brien; contains several errors. See list here.
Lisa Marie Young has not been seen since the early morning hours of July 1st 2002. The following is a recreation of her last-known movements.
Lisa Marie was socializing with friends on June 30th 2002 at various nightclubs in the downtown area of Nanaimo. Shortly before midnight her and her friends entered Club 241 formerly known as The Jungle, a popular nightclub located on Skinner Street.
They stayed at the bar until closing and left around 2:30 a.m.After the bar closed she walked outside and talked with several of her friends.
While standing outside one of her friends struck up a conversation with an unknown male who was driving an older-model red Jaguar.
No one in the group knew him but he seemed amicable enough then offered them a ride to a house party in Harewood. They were all impressed with his vehicle and they gladly accepted his offer.
The five of them drove directly to the party and stayed for about one hour before deciding to move on to another location in the Westwood Lake area.
Upon arriving at the second party, Lisa Marie told the group she was hungry and wanted to get something to eat. The driver upon hearing this offered to take her to get some food. Her friends decided to stay at the party.
This is the last time anyone has ever seen Lisa Marie Young. She was reported missing by her family to the Nanaimo RCMP several days later and after an exhaustive search by her family, friends, and the Nanaimo RCMP, her whereabouts are still unknown.
The vehicle in question - an older model red Jaguar with distinctive square headlights - and the driver have been positively identified.
Nanaimo RCMP and Crimestoppers are asking however if anybody saw this vehicle between the hours of 3:30 a.m. on July 1st 2002 and 2 p.m. on July 1st 2002, in an area that would be considered suspicious, to call the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Nanaimo RCMP hope reviving such unsolved cases can help jog a person's memory and generate fresh leads.
Police said early on they believed Young may have met with foul play.
Police hope the exposure will prompt someone to step forward. "We're hoping somebody may remember something," said Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Gary O'Brien. "We're hoping it generates discussion."
Nanaimo RCMP hope reviving such unsolved cases can help jog a person's memory and generate fresh leads.
Police said early on they believed Young may have met with foul play.
Police hope the exposure will prompt someone to step forward. '"We're hoping somebody may remember something," said Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Gary O'Brien. "We're hoping it generates discussion."
In spite of crime re-enactments and other efforts by police to generate tips and leads, no breakthroughs that could lead to solving the case have been made in recent years.
"None," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. "It's still an active investigation."
"The police tell us that they're working on tips that come in, so that gives us some hope that they're still working on it," she said.
"We believe she met foul play," said Const. Gary O'Brien, RCMP spokesman. "That's the bottom line. It's a suspicious missing persons case and tragically we think she met with the hands of foul play."
Police identified the car and the man Young left the party with. He is part of a police list of persons of interest in the case, but in spite of following up every lead, producing Crime Stoppers TV re-enactments and even conducting a full-scale search with K-9 units based on information from a psychic, police have, so far, not been able to prove foul play or find the missing woman's remains.
"Based on the evidence gathered - and we have thousands of pieces of documentation, we have hundreds of tips, we have Crime Stoppers tips, we have the public calling, it's brought to the public's attention every year through the family's vigilance with their walks and not letting her memory fade — our members continue to work this file and, hopefully someday we'll get a break and we'll find out what happened," O'Brien said.
Police believe Lisa Marie met with foul play after she left a house party in the Cathers Lake area at about 3 a.m. June 30, 2002*, with a man who drove an older model red Jaguar. The last anyone heard from her was when she phoned a friend at about 4:30 a.m.
Police identified the car and the man Young left the party with.
He is part of a police list of persons of interest in the case, but in spite of following up every lead, Crime Stoppers TV re-enactments and even conducting a full-scale search with K-9 units based on information from a psychic, police have, so far, not been able to prove foul play or find the missing woman's remains.
"The case is active and will remain active until such time it is determined what happened to Lisa Marie," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
Constable Gary O'Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP re-iterated. "This is not collecting dust. It will always be an open investigation," he said. "We believe that there is somebody out there that has information that can assist with the investigation and we need to hear from them. They can go to any police detachment in Canada or anywhere in the world and talk to a police officer. If they want to remain anonymous, they can call the generic Crime Stoppers line [1-800-222-8477]."
O'Brien said a substantial amount of tips have 'come in regarding Lisa Marie's case. "Every one of those tips has been investigated and it's essential that we do so. It's been 16 years. There have been a lot of investigators. There's always a fresh set of eyes; we are always looking at ways to move forward with it. That file will never be closed until we find out who is responsible for her disappearance and hold them accountable," said Cst. O'Brien.
Cst. O'Brien, who knew Lisa Marie when she was a teenager, represented the Nanaimo RCMP at the vigil. "I remember the call from her good friend the night she went missing. 'Hey, Gary, I can't get a hold of Lisa Marie, we're really, really worried for her.' And unbeknownst to me, the investigation had already started," he remembers.
While a 2014 RCMP report concluded there were 1,181 incidents of missing or murdered aboriginal women between 1980 and 2012, some say the real number could be as high as 4,000.
Nanaimo RCMP Home — Newsroom — Update on Lisa Marie Young missing person investigation — Nanaimo — 2021-06-25 13:00 PDT — File #2021
At 12 pm on Saturday June 26, 2021 the Nanaimo RCMP will be hosting a press conference on the front steps of the Nanaimo detachment. The purpose of the press conference is to provide an update on the status of the Lisa Marie Young missing person investigation. Following the press conference, attendees are encouraged to walk to Maffeo Sutton Park where a number of community leaders will be speaking. (see attached poster)
Lisa Marie disappeared in the early morning hours of June 30, 2002* and she would have celebrated her 40th birthday earlier this year. Since her disappearance, investigators have considered her case a homicide. All information received, either from years ago or just recently, and can be corroborated, is being pursued", said Corporal Markus Muntener, lead investigator on this case.
The investigation has spanned over 19 years but police are still encouraging witnesses to come forward. Over the course of the investigation, numerous individuals for various reasons, have decided to come forward and provide important information. Some of these witnesses were previously uncomfortable speaking with police. "With the passage of time and change in their circumstances and lifestyle, they now feel it is the right thing to do and have provided key statements to the police," said Muntener.
Investigators are encouraging anyone who has not come forward to do so. Police are also asking if anyone has previously passed on information to police and are unclear if the information was received or not, to reach out to the investigative team. To provide information on the disappearance of Lisa Marie Young, please call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
Released by Cst. Gary O'Brien, Media Relations Officer, Nanaimo RCMP — Date modified: 2021-06-25
(Cpl. Markus Muntener) "Obviously finding Lisa would be, uhh, really significant and we haven't done that yet, umm, but, it's hard for me just to say that we have, you know, a small little bit left to do, umm, that can change overnight if, if an important person comes forward and talks to us, um, that adds a very significant piece to that puzzle, and that, that could change."
Const. Hayley Pinfold and Corp. Markus Muntener said that since they took over the file in late 2018 police have introduced techniques into the investigation, such as a police dog and ground-penetrating radar. "When you're dealing with potential areas that are large, that's the kind of technique you have to use to narrow things down," said Muntener of the radar method. "Since Hayley and I have started the investigation we've had numerous people come forward."
"We're just asking that people come talk to us, because we are here to listen to everybody no matter what their circumstances are now or in the past," said Const. Pinfold. "We are coming at this investigation from an open-minded approach. We're reviewing all our information on our investigation, whether it's historic or information that's coming in currently, and we're assessing that information to determine and prioritize how we're going to go forward."
Corp. Muntener added that over the years the file has become enormous, including 15,000 documents and hundreds of witnesses. "When we're talking about witnesses from 19 years ago, it's much more challenging to go back and corroborate that," he admitted, although a valid piece of information could open up the mystery into what happened to the young woman. "That could change overnight if an important person comes forward and talks to us that adds a very significant part of that puzzle."
Young's disappearance is part of the RCMP's database of over 1,100 missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Among those taking part in the march are a pair of Nanaimo’s RCMP’s lead investigators in Lisa Young’s file who say they get new tips a few times each month.
“There are still people coming forward. None of that has broken the case wide open but it’s like putting together a big puzzle so every time someone comes in and talks to us and gives us a little bit more with that puzzle it helps us along,” said Cpl. Markus Muntener, with Nanaimo RCMP.
Where is Lisa Marie? — Nanaimo 2023-06-21 14:51 PDT — File # 2002-22236
The posters are placed each year showing a young, vibrant woman, just starting out in life. Like many others her age, she had hopes, dreams and aspirations. Sadly, her friends and family can only wonder what life had in store for Lisa Marie. It all changed, when, in the early morning hours of June 30, 2002*, she disappeared, never to be seen or heard from again.
This year marks the 21st year of Lisa Marie Young’s disappearance. The Nanaimo RCMP Serious Crime Unit continue to investigate her disappearance and believe she met with foul play, and are treating it as a homicide. Even with Nanaimo experiencing an unprecedented increase in homicides, which require significant resources to investigate, this investigation has continued to be a priority with their Unit. "Over the years, investigators have received hundreds of tips, have interviewed as many people, conducted numerous searches, and have diligently followed up on old and new information", said Reserve Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
At 11 AM on Sunday June 25, 2023, friends, family and the community at large will come together outside the Nanaimo RCMP detachment for song, prayer and words to mark and acknowledge Lisa Marie’s disappearance. Those in attendance will then march to the pavilion at Maffeo Sutton Park. "We want the public to know that this investigation continues to move forward. If you have information that you have never shared with police, now is the time to do so. It’s never to late", said O’Brien.
If you have information on the disappearance of Lisa Marie Young, please call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
The same man drove Young and her friends to the party, they said. He is among the hundreds of people interviewed by police in the unsolved case.
Cpl. Dean Muir, who grew up in Nanaimo, is now posted at the local detachment with his five-year-old German shepherd Luca, who specializes in human remains detection. “I’m a very small part of this investigation but I’m hoping to be a part that will help bring some closure, help bring Lisa home and help advance a criminal case against the person or persons responsible,” Muir told Global News Sunday.
Nanaimo RCMP investigators believe Young met with foul play. Her homicide investigation is a priority for the serious crime unit, even two decades later.
Investigators have conducted numerous searches and received hundreds of tips but they said it’s never too late to come forward. “There’s going to be somebody out there that knows something that is either afraid to come and talk to us or doesn’t want to talk us right now – but those circumstances might change,” said Cpl. Markus Muntener with the Nanaimo RCMP Serious Crime Unit.
*Several publications misreported dates surrounding Lisa's disappearance (likely confused by the long weekend). Lisa's parents last saw her late Sunday June 30th, and she was last seen by her friends at the bar and at two parties early Monday July 1st (Canada Day), which was also the day she was to move into her new apartment, and when her disappearance was reported to RCMP. (See the timelines.)
