RCMP failed to proactively publicize Lisa's case

From lisamarieyoung.ca

Summary

RCMP failed to proactively publicize Lisa's case or otherwise raise awareness of her disappearance. It was, instead, Lisa's parents who informed the media and continued to keep people talking about Lisa using various methods including posters, media interviews, billboards, and annual walks, for decades.

Detail

 
Nanaimo Daily News, July 4, 2002 (Paul Walton)[1]
 
Nanaimo Daily News, July 5, 2002 (Paul Walton)[2]

RCMP made no media statement related to Lisa's disappearance until after Lisa's family, frustrated with the lack of police concern, reported her disappearance to local newspapers. Updates provided to the media were generally only reactive to journalist inquiries.

Lisa's parents first contacted the Nanaimo Daily News, and reporter Paul Walton rushed over to interview the Youngs.[3]

The next morning, Lisa's disappearance was the headline.[1] Paul authored more articles about Lisa's story than any other journalist, with at least two dozen published stories, not counting syndication.[2]

 
Nanaimo Daily News, July 4, 2002 (Paul Walton)[1]
 
RCMP Cpl. Markus Muntener
Lead Investigator assigned to Lisa's case
CHEK News, June 26, 2021 (Nicholas Pescod)[4]

More recently, the RCMP set up two press conferences, but they were reactively aligned with pre-existing plans by the family to proceed with their annual "Walk for Lisa" which would start at the Nanaimo RCMP detachment.[5][6][4][7]

 
Some of the "missing" posters produced by Lisa's family and others.[8]

In 2003, two officers from the Nanaimo detachment showed up at Lisa's parents' home, 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.[9]


See also

Sources