Nnb20230625
Nanaimo News Bulletin: Jun 25, 2023 Mandy Moraes "March for missing woman Lisa Marie Young held in downtown Nanaimo"
clip: https://lisamarieyoung.ca/n/nnb20230625
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March for missing woman Lisa Marie Young held in downtown Nanaimo
[Michelle Hall, left, Ariel Bell, David Hall, Lily Thomas and Malakai Thomas led the annual justice march for missing woman Lisa Marie Young from the Nanaimo RCMP detachment to Maffeo Sutton Park on Sunday, June 25. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)]
On an emotional day, community members seeking answers as to what happened to a woman who went missing 21 years ago took to the streets.
Dozens of friends and family gathered outside the Nanaimo RCMP detachment Sunday, June 25, with signs depicting Lisa Marie Young, a 21-year-old Indigenous woman who went missing June 30, 2002. As per reports, Young was at a party in Nanaimo the night she went missing and left with an acquaintance unknown to her friends. She was never seen again.
The crowd gathered outside the police detachment started the annual march down Prideaux Street and Comox Road at approximately 11 a.m. Several motorists passing by honked their horns or shouted encouragement as the group made their way toward Maffeo Sutton Park.
An event at Lions Pavilion followed, and included performances by local artists since Young loved the local music scene, organizers said.
Many of Young’s relatives expressed how grateful they were for the turnout, as well as how difficult it’s been and their desire for closure after such a long ordeal of not knowing.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog proclaimed Sunday, June 25, as Justice for Lisa Marie Young Day, as well as Friday, June 30, as Lights on for Lisa, when community members are encouraged to leave their patio lights on in support of the day she was reported missing.
“A full generation has come into being and reached adulthood in the time since Lisa Marie disappeared,” Krog said. “I know that the spirit today is to try to be uplifting and determined, of course, and perhaps inspiring. But I must say, as a grandfather myself, as a parent, it’s hard to not recognize the pain that is still felt by so many.”
Lisa Marie Barron, Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP, recounted how she knew Young in their younger years.
“We were in the same groups of friends together. And when she went tragically missing … to say that it’s devastating is an understatement. Lisa lit up every room that she entered and it is just heartbreaking that, to this day, we do not have the answers that the families and loved ones and community need and deserve as to what happened with Lisa so that the healing can begin,” she said. “But I will say there is something really powerful seeing everybody coming together and marching together for answers.”
According to a press release issued on Wednesday, June 21, the Nanaimo RCMP serious crimes unit continues to investigate Young’s disappearance. Police believe she “met with foul play” and are treating the case as a homicide.
“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 Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson, in the release. “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 too late.”
If anyone has information on the disappearance of Young, they are asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
