1Early life
2Disappearance
3Investigation
3.1Rewards Offered
3.2Search efforts
3.2.1Family
3.2.2Community
3.2.3Locations
3.3False claims
3.4Criticism of the RCMP
3.4.1Initial response
3.4.2RCMP Search Efforts
3.4.2.1Lack of manpower
3.4.3RCMP vs Crime Stoppers
3.4.3.1Video re-enactment
3.4.3.2Cops stop support of Crime Stoppers
3.4.4Parliament
3.5Jaguar Driver
3.6Parents “cut off” by RCMP
3.7Makayla Chang Murder Connection
3.8New information
3.9Confidential tips via CBC
4Aftermath
4.1“Lisa's Song”
4.2Facebook group
5Political attention
5.1House of Commons
5.2Inquiry into MMIW
5.3Municipal
6Podcasts
6.1Casefile
6.2Island Crime
6.3Episode List
7See also
8Notes
9References
10External links

Lisa Marie Young was a 21-year-old Indigenous Canadian who disappeared from Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada on July 1, 2002.[1] She had attended a local nightclub and two house parties, before accepting a ride to a fast-food restaurant, from a man she had just met.[2][3] Although Lisa has never been found, her disappearance is being investigated as a homicide.[4]

The case has 3 separate cash reward offers, totalling US$50,000 + CA$13,500.

Lisa Marie Young
Lisa Marie Young prior to her disappearance
Born (1981-05-05)May 5, 1981
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Disappeared July 1, 2002 (Canada Day)
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Status Missing for over 20 years
Height 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)

Early life

Lisa Marie Young was the eldest child and only daughter of Don Young and Marlene "Joanne" Martin.[5] She has two younger brothers, Brian and Robin.[6] Growing up in Nanaimo, she attended Brechin Elementary and Woodlands Secondary School.[7][8] Lisa's maternal grandfather (Martin's father, Moses Martin) is Tribal Chief of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation on the West Coast of Vancouver Island;[4] Joanne and both of her parents (Moses and Cecilia) attended Kakawis Residential School on nearby Meares Island.[5]

Lisa was close with her family. Martin described her as an independent woman who was a hard worker with a hard head, and had "inner strength that was totally awesome."[4] Dallas Hulley, an acquaintance of Lisa and the last person to hear from her, described Lisa as "outgoing, confident, bubbly," and said "She was somebody you noticed right away, at a party or a gathering, or whatever it was. She just had a light about her."[4] Lisa was a vegetarian and a fitness enthusiast and enjoyed rollerblading at the waterfront.[9]

She and a roommate lived next door to her parents in a Barons Road apartment building,[10] but at the time of Lisa's disappearance, her father was helping her move into her own apartment in northern Nanaimo,[11] something she was excited about.[12] Lisa was also preparing to start a job at a call centre within two days of her disappearance,[11] and considering pursuing higher education, with the hopes of becoming a television sports broadcaster.[5]

Disappearance

On the night of June 29, 2002, Lisa left her parents' residence at 11:00 p.m. to go to a nightclub with several friends. Her parents found it strange, as Lisa had a busy schedule for the week.[13]

Lisa and Dallas were approached by a man who invited them to a house party, offering them a ride in the red older-model Jaguar he was driving.[14][15] They went to the party, and then to a second house party in the Cathers Lake area of Nanaimo.[16] When Lisa said she was hungry, the driver offered to take her to get some food. Around 4:30 a.m. Lisa called Dallas's cellphone.[2] Dallas later stated in an interview, Sure enough it's Lisa on her cellphone. She goes 'Dallas, I don't know what's going on. This guy won't bring me back. We're sitting in a driveway on Bowen Road and he won't bring me back.' She says, 'I'm bored. I'm getting pissed off.'[17][13][18][19]

The final signal from Lisa's cell phone was traced to the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo.[20]

Investigation

On July 1, 2002, Lisa's parents failed to hear from her. At first, they thought it was possible Lisa was too busy to answer her cellphone but grew concerned when Lisa's former roommate visited to ask about Lisa's whereabouts. After calling every phone number in her phone book, Lisa's parents contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment in Nanaimo. In the beginning, Lisa's parents were told to call when she had been missing for over 48 hours, however, an RCMP officer came over to the Lisa's household later that evening to ask questions and get a photograph of Lisa. A few days later, the RCMP told Lisa's parents that her disappearance was being investigated by their Serious Crime Unit.[15]

poster 1 poster 2 poster 3 poster 4 poster 5 poster 6 poster 7
Several variations of printed "missing" posters distributed in area communities by friends and family of 21-year-old MMIWG Lisa Marie Young, encouraging anyone with information about her disappearance to contact police.
💾 Download posters (zip file)

Police eventually concluded that foul play was likely involved after Lisa left a house party in the Cathers Lake area and subsequently, several searches were conducted in remote areas in and near Nanaimo, revealing nothing.[21][22]

In late July 2002, police questioned the driver of the Jaguar.[15] Lisa's mother was taken by RCMP to a short meeting with the driver. She later stated that she asked the man to tell her where her daughter was, and he replied, I can't ... I'm sorry, I don't mean to disrespect your family.[13] The man was eventually later released; no charges were laid. Police later stated, "The driver, like many others involved in this file, is simply a person of interest." The Jaguar was eventually located, seized by RCMP for inspection, and later released. It was determined that the car was owned by the driver's grandmother, who subsequently sold the Jaguar, and threatened to sue over talk that could implicate her grandson in the disappearance.[23][13][24] Police did not begin searching for Lisa until she had been missing for two months, leaving the job for ... relatives and friends to do on their own.[14][15]

Following a one-year vigil held for Lisa in 2003, Lisa's mother was contacted by Chemainus psychic Christine Brant. Based on the information provided by Brant, Lisa's family asked Terry Tom and Andrew Jackson — both certified divers from Lisa's west coast Tla-o-qui-aht band — to search the reservoirs at Colliery Dam Park, located between Nanaimo Lakes Road and Harewood Mines Road. A private dive team conducted a subaqueous search at the park on July 25, 2003.[22][25][22]

In December 2020, Nanaimo RCMP conducted searches related to the case, at two locations in Nanaimo, as well as part of Morrell Nature Sanctuary.[26] One of the locations was a residential property located at 827 Nanaimo Lakes Road, which is adjacent to Morrell Sanctuary and less than 200 meters from Colliery Dam's upper reservoir.[27][26]

In June 2021, the Nanaimo RCMP hosted a press conference on the front steps "to provide an update on the status of the Lisa Marie Young missing person investigation".[28] RCMP Cpl. Markus Muntener, current co-lead investigator on the case, reported that based on new and historical information, "numerous searches" for Lisa have taken place in the last year, utilizing ground-penetrating radar and a police dog, and he said additional searches at undisclosed locations were planned.[29]

There have been no arrests made in connection to Lisa's disappearance, despite police having received 15,000 documents and hundreds of witnesses in Lisa's file.[30][31]

Rewards Offered

Search efforts

Family

On July 3, 2002, Lisa's family contacted the local media; the next morning the story was on the front page of the Nanaimo Daily News, "Parents fear daughter the victim of foul play".[35] The following day the story was in the news in the provincial capital, Victoria, and by the following week, it was picked up by newspapers province-wide.[36]

Lisa's father's employer, Purolator Courier, printed thousands of "missing person" posters which the company's delivery drivers distributed to businesses across Vancouver Island. Within days, posters were visible at the majority of Island stores and businesses.[37][38]

Lisa's extended family and First Nations members put up a reward of $11,500 for information about the case.[39]

Between July and December 2002, dissatisfied with police efforts on the case, Tla-o-qui-aht Chief Moses Martin (Lisa's grandfather) organized the Tribal Search & Rescue into several massive search efforts in multiple locations in Nanaimo and other communities, "from Coombs to Tofino". For each search, Search & Rescue members would commute from Tofino, a 3-hour drive to Nanaimo. Search teams consisted of up to 30 volunteers, as well as divers who searched a reservoir at Colliery Dam Park. Searches took place between July and December 2002, and in the Spring/Summer of 2003.[10]

The family contacted Lisa's bank and cellphone provider and were able to determine that the bank account had funds but no activity, and the final signal from Lisa's phone was sent from the Departure Bay area of Nanaimo.[40]

Community

Many area businesses made donations to the search effort.[41][42][43][38][44][45][46]

The owner and staff of the Jungle Cabaret made a "generous cash donation" to the search fund, and also donated the use of a billboard near Petroglyph Park.[47][48][note 1] Another billboard was installed on the side of the Foundry Pub in 2003.[49]

For several months beginning in December 2019, billboard advertising space was rented alongside the Island Highway near Nanoose Bay, with large signage stating, "Lisa Marie Lisa, Missing, Brown Eyes, 5'4", Tattoo Flower Band on Right Arm, Call Nanaimo RCMP". Funding for the rental and signage was raised through private sales of beaded red dress pins and earrings, handmade by volunteers of the "Lil' Red Dress Project".[50][16] A related public art installation titled "The REDress Project", was created in 2010 by Métis artist Jaime Black, in response to the missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) epidemic in Canada and the United States. The installation has been exhibited in more than 30 locations around North America, most recently at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.[51][52][53][54] Annually since 2010, "Red Dress Day" is honoured on Lisa's birthday, the 5th of May.[55]

Locations

Below is a list of the ground/water searches performed by Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Search & Rescue (TSR) teams and other family members and volunteers, within the Nanaimo area between July 2002 and July 2003, and both known RCMP ground searches (Sept 2002, Dec 2020). Other Nanaimo locations of significance are also listed. The list does not include several additional locations searched by the TSR, "between Coombs and Tofino".[10]

Significant locations
Location Coordinates Search Significance Proximity
A Jungle Cabaret
241 Skinner St		 49.1658°N -123.9376°W 2am: Lisa & Dallas leave in Jaguar[35] Nightclub.
(now called Evolve)
B House Party #1
827 Nanaimo Lakes Road		 49.1658°N -123.9376°W Dec 2020
RCMP		 House Party.
2002 Neighbour: "body in hammock"[26][56][57][58]		 Across from Colliery Dam.
C House Party #2
Cathers Lake area		 49.172°N -123.993°W House Party.
Lisa left with driver for food[59]		 Cathers Lake area
D Bowen Road #1
2020 Bowen Rd		 49.188°N -123.9865°W Residence at 2020 Bowen Rd[60] Northfield Creek head nearby.
E Bowen Road #2
1590 Bowen Rd		 49.1779°N -123.972°W Formerly a residence at 1590 Bowen Rd
(Now a parking lot.)[60]		 Bowen Road
F Departure Bay
Beach area		 49.205°N -123.97°W Vicinity of last signal from Lisa's cellphone.[20] Near Northfield Creek head.
G Northfield Creek
@ Beban Park (head)		 49.1923°N -123.986°W Top of Northfield Creek.
Goes underground to Northfield Creek Park.[40]		 Near Beban Park.
Near Bowen Road#1.
H Northfield Creek
Park (base)		 49.193°N -123.963°W Jul 2002
TSR		 2002 psychic tip[40] Departure Bay area
I Doumont
@ Biggs Roads		 49.2018°N -124.078°W Sep 2002
RCMP		 Aug 2002 tip to RCMP[61][62][39][63][64] Tip received while
driver in RCMP custody.
J Doumont Road
(top)		 49.2152°N -124.0655°W Nov 2002
TSR		 Re-searched area at "top of Doumont", based on RCMP's Aug 2002 tip[65][66] Tip received while
driver in RCMP custody.
K Harewood Mines Rd
@ Nanaimo Pkwy		 49.143°N -123.966°W Jul 2002
TSR		 2002 psychic tip:
"area just South of Parkway near Harewood Mines Rd"[40][58]		 Next to Colliery Dam Park.
Near House Party.
L Morrell Nature
Sanctuary		 49.147°N -123.976°W Dec 2020
RCMP		 Partial search along with 827 Nanaimo Lakes Road[26] Next to Colliery Dam Park.
Near House Party.
M Nanaimo Lakes
Road Park		 49.14°N -123.97°W Acquired by city & named in 2020[40][58] Between Colliery Dam
and House Party.
N Colliery Dam
Park		 49.147°N -123.965°W Multiple psychic tips.
Heavily rumoured to be significant[22][25][67]		 Next to Nan. Lakes Rd Park.
Near House Party.
O Colliery Dam
Upper Reservoir		 49.1478°N -123.968°W Jul 2003
TSR[62]		 2003 psychic tip: Upper Colliery Reservoir[22] Part of Colliery Dam.
Near House Party.
P Colliery Dam
Lower Reservoir		 49.1493°N -123.963°W Jul 2003
TSR[note 4]		 2003 psychic tip: Lower Colliery Reservoir[68] Part of Colliery Dam.
Near House Party.

False claims

Within 2 weeks of Lisa's disappearance, members of her extended family received several phone calls from unknown callers claiming that Lisa's body had been located in nearby Lantzville and RCMP stated that a week earlier, similar rumours had appeared on multiple online chat sites, therewith claiming that Lisa's body was located in the nearby town of Ladysmith. In August 2003, RCMP issued a second statement refuting new claims that had surfaced again saying that Lisa's body has been recovered. The statement went on to explain that these rumours were causing a great deal of anguish and distress for Young's family.[69][70]

Similarities in the false claims, along with the incidents each started and stopped within short, specific time periods which aligned with spikes in investigative activity, raised questions as to whether the misinformation was purposive such as an attempt to distract investigators and the public, rather than being senseless hoaxes, as was initially assumed by media and the RCMP.[71][72]

Criticism of the RCMP

"It is very clear that the police did not respond in a proper way. It was members of her Tla‑o‑qui‑aht First Nation who conducted searches on their own, without the aid of the RCMP."[66][73]

— MP Paul Manly
at the House of Commons, October 8, 2020

The police investigation surrounding Lisa’s disappearance has been publicly and repeatedly criticized by several members of Lisa’s family, as well as journalists, bloggers, podcasters and politicians.

Initial response

When Lisa's mother first contacted RCMP at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2002 (Canada Day), she was initially told they would need to wait 48 hours before a missing person report can be filed for an adult.[12] While a common myth, there is actually no waiting period in Canada.[74] Criminology experts say the first 72 hours in a missing person investigation are the most critical.[75] Later that evening an RCMP officer briefly stopped by to ask for a photo of Lisa.

Lisa's mother did not initially tell RCMP that her daughter was Indigenous because she was afraid that the report would not be taken seriously due to racist stereotypes.[73]

When they still hadn't heard from Lisa by the next morning, her family had no doubt that something had happened to her. She was consistently reliable and punctual, and always kept in touch with family and friends.[76] She was also excited about plans she'd made for the days ahead:

On Tuesday, after Young failed to show up for either event, her mother tried repeatedly to contact the RCMP officer who had picked up the photo. She was eventually informed that the officer was off work until Friday, July 5th, so the matter would have to wait until then, but nothing suggests foul play. Further persistence resulted in the case being assigned to a different constable on Wednesday, July 3rd.[35]

On Saturday, July 6 the Nanaimo Daily News reported, no evidence has emerged to indicate to police that foul play is involved. Nanaimo RCMP Const. Jack Eubank said, investigators become more concerned with every day that passes and that they have a number of tips they want to follow up[note 2] including a claim that Lisa left the club as a passenger in a dark vehicle.[77]

On July 9, the Daily News reported that Eubank said RCMP now have "5 serious crimes investigators working on the case" and they've had "two dozen tips".[78]

On July 10th it was announced, "Nanaimo RCMP now believe a 21-year-old woman who went missing 10 days ago has met with foul play."[79]

RCMP Search Efforts

RCMP statements leading up to initial search
July 25, 2002 RCMP have now received "100 to 150 tips" and will be following up "as soon as possible".[note 3][40]
"in August" RCMP receive a tip that prompts them to plan their first ground search for Lisa.[note 4][61]
Sept 3 Original date RCMP intended to perform the search[61]
Sept 10 Police "will perform a search in days ahead". Search was planned after Labour Day long weekend but postponed due to Sept 1st shooting of Rosella Centis.[note 5][61]
Sept 14 RCMP "will search several areas Tuesday"[9][62]
Sept 18
(9am–noon)		 1st RCMP ground search: 20+ officers and 2 dogs searched around Doumont & Biggs Roads.[note 6][63]
Sept 19 "Further searches in different areas may be carried out in the future."
Nov 30 Lisa's extended family re-searched the Doumont & Biggs Road area.[66]
Dec 2020 2nd RCMP ground search: Nanaimo Lakes Road residence[note 7][26][note 8]
Lack of manpower

In November 2002, RCMP Cpl. Doug Hogg said they have "no leads/information which makes them think they will solve the mystery" and described the case as "progressing slowly". He also stated that police "wanted to search another area North of the city but they have not been able to arrange the required number of officers to scour the brush."[64]

In 2003, Tla-o-qui-aht band manager Francis Frank, one of the tribal search coordinators, said he supports the family in speaking out about their lack of confidence in Nanaimo RCMP's handling of Lisa's case. "Our relationship with the RCMP isn't the greatest to begin with. This situation doesn't help. Typically the RCMP waits no more than 72 hours to launch a search for missing persons. They have enough manpower, they need to start dedicating themselves to a real search." [80]

RCMP vs Crime Stoppers

Video re-enactment

Persistent in the search for her daughter, Lisa's mother contacted Crime Stoppers to inquire about making a re-enactment video, referring to the production of a televised re-enactment of Lisa's movements prior to her disappearance. Crime Stoppers Const. Jossee Smith responded stating that the request needs to come from an RCMP investigator. Lisa's mother then asked one of the investigators to make the request to Crime Stoppers, but he told her he didn't feel it would be helpful at the time.

In the May 2003 interview by Paul Walton, Lisa's father expressed frustration because he had not heard from the police in three months and because they seem to have no interest in their suggestions of a Crime Stoppers spot. "How could a Crime Stoppers spot hurt?," he asked.

Nanaimo RCMP's then-spokesman Const. Jack Eubank told Walton, "Crime Stoppers no longer does re-enactments of crimes." However, Ha-Shilth-Sa[note 9] journalist Ruth Ogilvie confirmed with Const. Smith that Crime Stoppers did not stop making re-enactment videos.[80][57][81]

In apparent contradiction to the RCMP's 2003 statement, an announcement came in May 2009 that a Crime Stoppers re-enactment video would be produced jointly by Crime Stoppers and Shaw TV. Local actors volunteered to play the parts of key persons; Lisa was portrayed by Meghan Wearne. Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Gary O'Brien said "We're hoping somebody may remember something. We're hoping it generates discussion." The footage aired on Shaw TV several times and can be viewed on YouTube.[82][83]

Retraction of support for Crime Stoppers tipsters

From the first RCMP statement indicating concerns of "foul play" in Lisa's disappearance, almost every media statement made by police included instructions advising anyone with information about the case to "contact Crime Stoppers or Nanaimo RCMP"; this continued for at least 15 years.[84] However, this stance recently changed as the case's current RCMP co-lead investigator Cpl. Markus Muntener began asking that potential tipsters do not contact Crime Stoppers and instead contact Muntener directly.

This was told to several people as well as in a February 3, 2022 announcement via Cyndy Hall (a friend of Lisa's, advocate for her case,[85] and an administrator of a public Facebook group called "Lisa Marie Young") in the form of a Facebook post[86] in the 5000+ member group, stating that submitting tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers can cause potential charges against a suspect to "be stayed by Crown" resulting in the case never going to court, linking to the Supreme Court of Canada's 1997 decision in R. v. Leipert.[87] "Crimestoppers and the Nanaimo RCMP don't work together anymore. If you report a tip to Crimestoppers the police will not look into it." Potential tipsters are urged to trust Muntener yet are warned that the information provided "will become public if Lisa's case goes to court and what you told the police is part of Lisa's case".

In summary, informer privilege is of such fundamental importance to the workings of a criminal justice system that it cannot be balanced against other interests. Once established, neither the police nor the court possesses discretion to abridge it.

— R. v. Leipert, [1997], 1 S.C.R. 2

R. v. Leipert reinforced informer privilege in Canadian law, protecting the identity of lawful informants. Police cannot force or compel a Crime Stoppers tipster to identify themselves or to testify. "The identity of a Crime Stoppers tipster must never be disclosed without clear direction from a Court."[88]

At some point between June 2019 and August 2021, Lisa's report on the RCMP website was edited to append the sentence, "Due to the nature of this investigation, Nanaimo RCMP Serious Crime Unit requests that anyone with information contact them directly."[1][89][note 10]

Parliament

During a House of Commons debate in Ottawa on October 8, 2020, discussing the amendment of Bill C-3 to the Indian Act, M.P. Paul Manly presented several concerns surrounding the handling of Lisa's case, stating allegations that police efforts and investigation were affected by Lisa's Indigenous heritage. He also shared several egregious concerns he has with the police investigation into Lisa's disappearance,[99] including:

Manly called the handling of the case "horrific" and asked that the federal government form a task force. He said that more education is needed for police and for "anybody going through law school", and he stated that his sister, a retired Ontario Provincial Police officer agrees that "that there is not enough training for people before they get to have a gun, a badge and the power to police. We do need better national integration on these cases."

M.P. Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni, NDP) responded, stating that he is close friends with Chief Moses Martin (Lisa's grandfather), and acknowledging the efforts of Lisa's aunt, Carol Frank. Johns brought requests from Lisa's family that "RCMP officers have specific training on missing and murdered indigenous women" and that families of missing persons have "improved access to information" and a "penalty system...for not following through on that."

Jaguar Driver

Within four days of Lisa's disappearance, Lisa's mother and the RCMP had each received information that Lisa was seen getting into a dark red or maroon late-80s Jaguar.[37] Around July 20, 2002, police identified the Jaguar driver's home in Qualicum Beach[91].[92] Police spoke to the owner of the car and then located the driver — the owner's grandson — in Kamloops, BC. According to public court records, at the time of Lisa's disappearance, the man had recently completed consecutive prison terms at the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre for charges of assault, unauthorized use of a credit card and theft (× 2 counts).

The man was arrested on July 22 on charges of theft and fraud that were unresolved from a year earlier in Kamloops. The theft charge (and the man) was then transferred to Nanaimo. There is no further public record of the fraud charge after it was transferred out of Kamloops.

While in custody in Nanaimo, RCMP questioned the man about Lisa's disappearance.[58]

Lisa's mother was taken by RCMP to confront the man at the Parksville RCMP detachment. She later described the interrogation room as small, with a large photo of Lisa and a whiteboard with the words Rape, Murder, Accident. An RCMP investigator asked Lisa's mother to hug the man, which she did, then she directly asked the driver to tell her where her daughter was, to which he responded, something like I can't before pausing and trailing off, I'm sorry, I don't mean to disrespect your family.[58]

On July 24 the man was sentenced in Nanaimo for the theft charge, receiving a 3-month Conditional Sentence (CSO).[93] A month later, he breached multiple terms of the CSO when he assaulted a police officer in Saskatchewan. He was again brought back to Nanaimo where he likely served the remaining 40 days of the CSO sentence in jail at the Nanaimo Correctional Centre.

On October 11, 2002, the man was found guilty of the August charge of assaulting a peace officer. Despite a pattern of recidivism, the man was sentenced to just 1-day in Jail. [94] There is no further record of court involvement after October 2002 (nor prior to April 2000) although his court records also show three undated "restricted access[95]" files, inaccessible to the public, possibly Supreme Court cases.

Public record of relevant police interaction around July 2002[96]
July August September October Location
← Previous release from Jail: May 2002 (4 prior convictions, 2 jail terms for Assault, Fraud, etc)[97] Kamloops BC
Lisa last seen in Jaguar with the man Nanaimo BC
Arrest on Theft & Fraud[98] Kamloops BC
Transferred to Nanaimo[99] Kamloops BC
Sentenced: 3-month CSO[100] Nanaimo BC
Assaulted police officer[101]

[10]

Yorkton SK
Charged with Breach of CSO[note 23] Port Alberni BC
Bench warrant issued[note 24] Nanaimo BC
Jail[note 25] Nanaimo BC
Sentenced[note 26]: → ← 1d Jail Nanaimo BC

RCMP admitted repeatedly that they believe there is a connection between Lisa's disappearance and the individual. Sgt Chisholm said, "Suffice to say we feel strongly about an individual, but there isn't enough evidence to charge him."[81]

The driver's grandmother subsequently sold the Jaguar and threatened to sue over talk that could implicate her grandson in the disappearance.[102][13][24] The Jaguar was eventually located, seized by RCMP for with ultraviolet light and DNA testing, and later released after police found the vehicle had been steam-cleaned before it was sold.

The man was eventually released; no charges were laid in relation to Lisa's disappearance. Police later stated, "The driver, like many others involved in this file, is simply a person of interest."[81][103] RCMP have not made an official statement about the outcome of their interview with the man, nor the man's explanation of when or where Lisa left the Jaguar or his unusual legal history at that point in time.

Recent rumours in a few online forums indicate that the man has relocated to Turkey, although there is no evidence to verify this. Others suggest that the man was a police informant and therefore was given immunity by police.[140] While this could explain the unusual series of interactions and leniency by RCMP, there is no way for the public to verify this theory at this time.

See also: § Parliament

Parents "cut off" by RCMP

RCMP has never disclosed to Lisa's parents the driver's explanation of what happened to Lisa on the night she disappeared.

The release of the driver without any explanation of what happened to their daughter was extremely frustrating for Lisa's parents. However the meeting with the man resulted in them getting his name, and they were able to determine his Qualicum Beach address[note 27], and they did what they could to take the investigation into their own hands, trying several ways to make contact with the man or his grandmother, with no success.[10]

Lisa's father was distraught and prepared to alert the 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 Lisa's parents "interfering with the integrity of the RCMP."

Lisa's mother was later warned by RCMP for taking photos of the Jaguar from the street at the driver's grandmother's house. Lisa's father was warned by RCMP to stop emailing the grandmother. Lisa's father warned RCMP that he was adding the driver's name to the posters. RCMP responded, warning him not to.[58] Various posters and cards were later distributed showing the man's name with a photo of the Jaguar, and in some cases, his photo (taken from Facebook).

Lisa's parents later received a letter from the RCMP cutting them off from further details about the case.[58][81]

Connection to Makayla Chang murder

Makayla Chang was a 16-year-old girl from Nanaimo who was murdered in 2017. In January 2020, RCMP arrested a person of interest related to that case. Chang's parents were inadvertently informed of the arrest only when two RCMP investigators arrived at their residence with a question for Chang’s mother "regarding information they were following up on in the investigation into Lisa Marie Young’s disappearance" and it was during the conversation that the parents first became aware that a suspect in their own daughter's murder investigation had been arrested.[104]

In April 2017, RCMP performed a ground search at Colliery Dam Park, in attempt to locate Chang's body, later stating "there is nothing to indicate she may be there, we are just being thorough in our investigation." The search took place 10 days after Chang was reported missing. The Colliery Dam area has never been searched in relation to Lisa's disappearance, despite the location having seemingly tenuous and propinquitous ties to Young's case.

In May 2017, RCMP announced that they had identified Chang's remains, but would not confirm the location or circumstances.[105]

There has been no public explanation of how the two investigations are connected.

New information

In June 2021, Cpl. Muntener said new information has come to light. Muntener said there is information he can’t share, as it is an active investigation, but police have "completed numerous searches in the last year" based on new information coming in, and "those searches were extensive and detailed and we have more of those searches planned in the future." Muntener also described the case as an "active and ongoing large-scale investigation involving some 15,000 documents and hundreds of witnesses."[106][2][23]

That was the last time RCMP made public statement about Lisa, or the investigation into her disappearance.

Confidential tips via CBC

As part of ongoing coverage about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, CBC News has facilitated the anonymous and secure submission of information related to MMIWG cases, via SecureDrop.[107] See also: § Retraction of support for Crime Stoppers tipsters

Aftermath

Each year since 2003, Lisa's loved ones and supporters have gathered on or around June 30 for a "Walk for Lisa," beginning at the Nanaimo RCMP Detachment and marching through the streets of downtown Nanaimo to ensure her disappearance remains in the public eye.[108][96]

Lisa's mother experienced health complications after Lisa vanished.[109] Before she died on June 21, 2017,[6] she had been taking dialysis, suffered from hypertension,[110] and was on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.[109] Martin's family members believe the cause of her deteriorating health was due to the stress of not knowing what happened to her daughter.[84] Martin's sister, Carol Frank, revealed that Martin tried to hide her and Lisa's First Nations ancestry from the public, out of fear that Lisa would be assumed to be a sex worker, an alcohol or drug addict, or living on the streets.[111][112]

Dallas, the last person to hear from Martin, Joanne died on March 25, 2018.[113] While walking along British Columbia Highway 19A with a 27-year-old female friend at 1:00 a.m., he stepped into the northbound lane to retrieve something he had dropped, only to be struck by a car. He was pronounced dead at 6:15 a.m. the same day. Although the 62-year-old female driver was driving at least ten kilometres under the speed limit, she was unable to avoid him, due to the lack of reflective clothing. He was 38 years old at the time of his death.[19]

"Lisa's Song"

Album cover: Allison Crowe: Lisa's Song + 6 more
"Lisa's Song + 6 Songs"
by Allison Crowe

After Lisa's disappearance, singer Allison Crowe wrote Lisa's Song in memory of Lisa.[24] Allison and Lisa attended high school together in Nanaimo, becoming close friends.[114] The track's original version was recorded in Allison's living room, with her father on backup guitar. Several copies were handed out at vigils and other gatherings, and the single was later made available for purchase "at cost" at a local Mac's Convenience store. The track was later re-recorded and released as part of Allison's first album, "Lisa's Song + 6 Songs". Lisa's Song had a #51 peak on MonthlyTreed's charts and has appeared on 5 of their charts.

See also: Lisa's Song (EP)

Facebook group

A public Facebook group called "Lisa Marie Young" was created in November 2008 by Tara Hall. Hall was a close friend of Lisa, and she was out with Lisa on the night she disappeared. The group has over 5,000 members, continuing to expand and remaining active, and has become the de facto centre for advocacy in Lisa's case.

Other administrators include Carolann Bosma, admin since 2011 (Lisa's foster sister), Carol Frank since 2018 (Lisa's maternal aunt) and Cyndy Hall since 2021 (Lisa's friend; one of Lisa's mother's many phone calls on the morning after her disappearance).[115]

Reddit

Over the years, several Reddit threads, originating locally and internationally, have surfaced extensive discussion and theories surrounding Young's case and persons of interest.[115]

Political attention

House of Commons

Several Members of Parliament have discussed Lisa's case during debates at the House of Commons of Canada, including:

Date Debates M.P. Riding In office Party Hansard
May 13, 2009 No. 57 (40-2) M.P. Todd Russell Labrador 2005–2011 Lib Hansard[116]
• Russell discussed Lisa, asking for a "full, public and independent investigation".
October 8, 2020 No. 12 (43-2) M.P. Paul Manly Nanaimo—Ladysmith 2019–2021 GP Hansard[117]
• Manly presented a lengthy list of specific concerns. See also: § Parliament
June 21, 2021 No. 122 (43-2) M.P. Paul Manly Nanaimo—Ladysmith 2019–2021 GP Hansard[91]
• Manly discussed "pulled Instagram posts" related to Lisa's case.
November 26, 2021 No. 5 (44-1) M.P. Lisa Barron Nanaimo—Ladysmith 2021–present NDP Hansard[92]
• Barron referred to Lisa, demanding "the government immediately implement the calls to justice of the Inquiry into MMIWG".
March 31, 2022 No. 50 (44-1) M.P. Lisa Barron Nanaimo—Ladysmith 2021–present NDP Hansard[118]
• Barron shared statistics and concern that "it has been 20 years, and still Lisa's loved ones have no answers."

Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

On April 4, 2018, Lisa's maternal grandparents, Carla Moss and Chief Moses Martin (Tribal Chief of the 800-member Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation[10]) were sworn speakers in Vancouver at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry (public volume 82) by the Government of Canada under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Moss and Chief Martin discussed the handling of Lisa's disappearance and the state of federal treatment and prioritization of cases like hers, including perceived prejudices by the RCMP and other factors over the past 200 years that led to the current situation. Indigenous women in Canada are 4 times more likely to be murdered than non-indigenous women.[93]

Speaking under oath, Chief Martin told the inquiry, "We also made some recommendations up in Prince George that RCMP members ... should have special training about Indigenous people because of the ongoing racism that lives well in all of our communities." He went on to explain that he's been unsatisfied "with communication between the families and the RCMP. We hear nothing about the investigation, if there is one."

In 2021, City of Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog formally proclaimed June 26 Justice for Lisa Marie Young Day and June 30 Lights on for Lisa[94]

Moss said, "Marlene [Lisa's mother] tried to hide that her and Lisa were First Nations when Lisa first went missing because she didn’t want the police to blame Lisa’s disappearance on her being First Nations." and "In the following days right after she went missing we lived two hours away and our family and other members of our community drove to Nanaimo and ... searched, and searched, and searched, and every weekend we spent searching, and that was in June, and ... the RCMP didn’t conduct a search until September. That was pretty rough to see that they just didn’t even bother."

Commissioner Michèle Audette responded, "Normally when we lose somebody or we call the police because our daughter or son is missing we expect that they start the search. So it wasn’t the case for your family. Sorry about that."

The National Post's coverage of Chief Martin's testimony said "RCMP have not made an arrest and have not provided the family with regular updates. He also told the commission that police did not begin searching for Lisa Marie until she had been missing for two months, leaving the job for 30 relatives and friends to do on their own. 'The justice system doesn’t seem to exist, at least in our view.'".[95]

See also: Canadian National Inquiry into MMIWG, BC Missing Women Investigation, and Red handprint

Municipal

In March 2021, Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog officially proclaimed June 26 as "Justice for Lisa Marie Young Day" and June 30 as "Lights on for Lisa"[119][94] when people are encouraged to participate by leaving porch lights on to recognize Lisa's disappearance.[96]

Podcasts

Since 2016, several informative podcast episodes have been published online, raising awareness about Lisa's disappearance, and in some cases have generated new tips by motivating people with relevant information to come forward. As of May 2022, more than 20 podcasts have published over 30 episodes based on Lisa's case.

Casefile

Casefile #26: Lisa Marie Young
Casefile #26: Update

In July 2016, popular Australian true-crime podcast Casefile published "Case 26: Lisa Marie Young[120]" in which the show's anonymous host discussed Lisa disappearance and aspects of the investigation, including the identity and criminal record of the man police identified as the driver of the Jaguar with whom Lisa was last seen. The episode includes Allison Crowe's "Lisa's Song".

In December 2016, the host published a follow-up "Case 26: Lisa Marie Young – Update[121]" to share that he had received written notice that the July 2016 episode was in breach of SoundCloud's terms of use, on the grounds of "violating an individual's right to privacy/publicity without consent". He later received similar warnings from Stitcher and iTunes, and requested more information about the complaint, and SoundCloud sent him a copy of the original complaint form. It said, "They do not have my permission to use my name ... birthdate ... city and my charges..." The timestamps included in the complaint line up to points when the host was discussing the driver of the Jaguar, and, while the complaint was signed only with a first name, it matches the first name of the driver.

The update episode acted as an "open letter" responding publicly to the complainant. The host clarified that no accusations were made, and no information was shared that wasn't already available to the public through the searchable BC Provincial Court's "Court Services Online" website which states that the information it contains "may be used without permission for public information and research". The host closed the episode with an offer directed to the complainant, asking that he contact the host, "to come on and have your say; we would be more than happy to make that happen any time."[121]

Island Crime

In May 2020 Laura Palmer's true-crime podcast Island Crime published its inaugural season, entitled "Where Is Lisa?".[97] Originally an 8-episode season entirely consisting of in-depth discussion and interviews surrounding the circumstances of Lisa's disappearance,[122][123] two further episodic updates have since been added, totalling over 6 hours of relevant content.

The season has won several awards including the 2021 Webster award for "Best Feature/Enterprise Reporting",[98][99] and it also appeared in a list published by the BC provincial government, of podcasts frequently listened to by BC's Provincial Court judges.[124] The Globe and Mail said Palmer "heats up a cold case in a respectful, human way".[100] Palmer was previously an Executive Producer for CBC Vancouver and is married to a Provincial Court judge.[125]

This popularity contributed to the podcast being credited with generating significant new interest in the case including several tips which led investigators to conduct multiple new searches.[101][126]

Episode List

The following is a non-exhaustive list of audio or video podcast episodes which have discussed Lisa's disappearance. The 33 episodes listed total 22 hours of listening time.

Podcast No. Episode Title Release Date Duration Stream: Location
Spotify Apple YouTube
Casefile 26 Case 26: Lisa Marie Young July 23, 2016 22:11
Australia
Casefile 26 Case 26: Lisa Marie Young — Update December 23, 2016 5:23
Australia
True Crime Files The Disappearance of Lisa Marie Young June 17, 2018 8:13
ON, Canada
My Pet Albatross Missing: Lisa Marie Young // #MMIWG July 11, 2018 14:57 (video podcast)
BC, Canada
True Crime Charlie True Crime: The Case of Lisa Marie Young July 18, 2019 9:37 (video podcast)
Canada
Island Crime S1E01 Who is Lisa Marie Young? May 18, 2020 46:53
BC, Canada
Island Crime S1E02 Lisa is Missing May 22, 2020 30:30
BC, Canada
Island Crime S1E03 Searching for Lisa May 22, 2020 42:15
BC, Canada
Stolen Sisters 2 Lisa Marie Young May 24, 2020 25:40
BC, Canada
Gone 33 Missing: Lisa Marie Young and Anesha Murnane May 25, 2020 37:49
BC, Canada
Island Crime S1E04 Bones in the woods May 28, 2020 32:32
BC, Canada
Island Crime S1E05 A Tipster and an Outside Investigator May 28, 2020 38:25
BC, Canada
Island Crime S1E06 Justice for Lisa? May 28, 2020 30:05
BC, Canada
Island Crime S1E07 A Witness & One That Got Away June 26, 2020 47:35
BC, Canada
Island Crime S1E08 The RCMP break their silence June 26, 2020 48:48
BC, Canada
Island Crime S1E09 Update: 2020 Summer of Hope August 19, 2020 22:54
Scotland
Whose Crime is it Anyway? 16 VANISHED: The Disappearance of Lisa Marie Young September 4, 2020 31:17
MN, USA
Whose Crime is it Anyway? 31 CASE UPDATE: Lisa Marie Young, ... December 28, 2020 27:09
ON, Canada
Island Crime S1E10 Bob’s Story January 21, 2021 31:02
ON, Canada
The Jack Shit Show Trauma Bonded February 4, 2021 1:07:42
AB, Canada
The Night Time Disappearance of Lisa Marie Young (w/ Laura Palmer) March 8, 2021 1:02:20
NS, Canada
MetaPod 18 Laura Palmer of Island Crime May 5, 2021 54:36
NL & UK
Podcast by Proxy Lisa Marie Young — BC Unsolved July 12, 2021 1:09:59
ON, Canada
Sandra Crime & Coffee Time The Disappearance of Lisa Marie Young July 17, 2021 21:02
ON, Canada
True North, True Crime 30 MMIWG: Lisa Marie Young August 9, 2021 57:30
Norway
Murder Murder News 30 Where is Lisa Marie Young? September 10, 2021 1:05:11
QC, Canada
Crimelines Lisa Marie Young MMIW September 27, 2021 50:03
MO, USA
Missing Persons 37 Lisa Marie Young October 2, 2021 50:28
FL, USA
Vancouver True Crime The Dark and Disturbing Case of Lisa Marie Young October 7, 2021 1:25:35
BC, Canada
True Crime Cat Lawyer 36 Lisa Marie Young January 27, 2022 23:05
OR, USA
Dark Poutine 206 MMIW: Nanaimo Girl Gone — Lisa Marie Young February 7, 2022 1:18:19
BC, Canada
Grisly Grapes 31 The Disappearance of Lisa Marie Young, … February 7, 2022 1:09:30
NY, USA
Strange Days The Mysterious Unsolved Disappearance of Lisa Young March 1, 2022 15:00 (video podcast)
Canada

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Paul Manhas was the owner of the Jungle Cabaret (the club Lisa visited the night she disappeared). He also owned several other local bars; Lisa had worked at 3 of them (Old Flag Inn, Palace Hotel, Jungle Cabaret; all within 200 metres of each other). She resigned in April 2002, leaving on good terms, and continued to visit the establishments regularly as a customer.
  2. ^ emphasis added.
  3. ^ No searches yet.
  4. ^ Tip was received around same time Jaguar driver was arrested in Yorkton, Saskatchewan for assaulting a police officer, and then charged with Breach of CSO. He was transported back to Nanaimo (2nd time in 2 months) and later found Guilty of the Yorkton charges -- and was sentenced to 1 day in jail.
  5. ^ Rosella Centis was shot by her husband mid-day (September 1) at a gas station, in front of their daughter. The next day, her husband was arrested without incident at their home. (Centis was Italian/white.)[127]
  6. ^ The news article describes the search area (based on the August tip) as a "wooded area South of Nanaimo" yet also says "near Doumont/Biggs Roads", which are actually in North end of the city. (Reporting error?)
  7. ^ There has probably been police action that has not been made public, and possible that other searches have taken place.
  8. ^ In 2002 an anonymous neighbour told police he saw a body in a hammock, and later, machinery moving dirt around. No action was taken at the time.
  9. ^ The Ha-Shilth-Sa is "Canada's Oldest First Nation's Newspaper", based out of Port Alberni, published by the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council.
  10. ^ Below the updated report about Lisa's case, the web page still includes contact information for Crime Stoppers, thereby contradicting the updated section.
  11. ^ The address where the man was supposed to be living with his grandmother, as per terms of his CSO.

References

External links

Linked Wikipedia Articles

This document contains one (or more) links to each of the following Wikipedia articles:
External Web Page ×

This will open the external website in a new browser tab.

Close that tab to return here.