SASKATOON – Over 800 missing person files were investigated by Saskatoon police in 2014. Officials are highlighting the number, including 122 long-term missing person cases in Saskatchewan, to raise awareness about long- and short-term missing people.
“Many of our clients run frequently but they aren’t gone for long, in many cases overnight,” says Const. Chris Harris, a missing persons investigator with Saskatoon police.
So far this year, a youth has been reported missing 13 times, eight of which lasted overnight. Another youth has been missing for 47 of the first 112 days of 2015, which does not include times the youth was located on the same evening.
A missing person is classified as someone whose location is unknown.
“If someone has been missing before, we have locations we can check and people we can speak with,” said Harris.
Harris said police will ask for the public’s assistance in locating a missing person if “a file extends beyond an unreasonable amount of time.”
In Saskatchewan, police are currently investigating 122 long-term missing person cases – people who have been missing for more than six months.
Of those, 90 are male and 32 are female.
The oldest case dates back to October 1935 when Anker Ljungren was reported missing after heading north from Craik or Craven to look for work. He was not seen again.
The most recent long-term case is out of Prince Albert. Timothy Charlette was reported missing after last being seen on the railway bridge with his girlfriend, Beatrice Adam, on Oct. 8, 2014. Her body was discovered four days later approximately three kilometres downstream from the bridge.
READ MORE: Man linked to body found in Saskatchewan river vanishes
Police say they continue to search for a missing person until the case is solved or until all investigation avenues have been exhausted.
Steps to take if you believe someone is missing
Conduct a search: call family, friends and relatives and ask them to help call around or search the neighbourhood. Include favourite places and hangouts in the search.
File a missing person report: this can be done in person or on the phone. There is no time limit on reporting someone missing; you do not need to wait 24 hours.
Be prepared with information: see below for a missing persons checklist.
Ask your own questions: Keep a record of the file number, who is assigned the file and when someone will be meeting with you to follow-up on the missing person report. Ask if similar cases have been reported recently. Follow-up on what is being done to find the missing person and if there is anything more you can do.
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