Maple Creek’s first-ever missing person case continues, and multiple groups taking part in the search were brought together for an official media conference.
Byron Watson has been missing since November 26, with searches still ongoing since the start of December. At the media conference, tables were set out with interconnected RM maps, covered in markers across over 170 square kilometres, designating where search teams have covered.
The RCMP is amid investigation, with help from firefighters and volunteering civilians conducting much of the ground search, with the Civil Air Search And Rescue Association (CASARA) above.
Anthony Buffalocalf, co-lead of the search party and local volunteer firefighter lived next door to Watson.
“This is our first time dealing with something like this,” said Buffalocalf. “The first couple days were in haste, checking multiple areas at once. We have actually covered upwards of 170 [square kilometres] on foot and 150 [kilometres] of rail line. This has been in direct conjunction with the RCMP, the planes, the drone teams, and our indigenous community.”
CASARA Zone Commander Lee Mountain stated that the planes used in the search were both Cessna 182s flown by private pilots who volunteered as search and rescue members.
They have flown two days so far, with four-person crews consisting of a pilot, navigator and two spotters.
A reward for information leading to Watson was granted last week and has recently increased to $5,000. The RCMP put out a call last week for anyone in the town to bring forward surveillance footage from the evening of his disappearance.
“Anywhere that we knew had video, we reached out to them,” stated Corporal Mike Chiarot with the Maple Creek RCMP. “Whether it be businesses or residences with home security cameras, everyone has been very receptive, and they’ve provided us with the video that we were requesting. It’s all been reviewed.”
Maple Creek’s Mayor, Michelle McKenzie, stated that nothing like this has happened over the 50-plus years she’s spent in her town.
“It’s a small community, and we’re close-knit,” she explained. “If you have any information, please let someone know, because we all know someone knows something about his disappearance. Things like this just don't happen in our community. We ask that you check your backyards and your pastures for any signs of this young man. At the end of the day, we just want Byron home to be here with his loved ones.”
Cherish Francis was the main representative of the family for the media and facilitated much of the conference.
“The real message we want to carry today is the fact that someone knows something about Byron’s disappearance,” Francis stated. “It’s time that someone comes forward and speaks up now... we need people to know that he’s loved and he needs to come home.”
A facebook group has been created to share information on the case, and can be accessed here.
Anyone with information regarding Byron Watson can contact RCMP at 310-RCMP. Anonymous individuals will want to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
In response to Canada's Online News Act and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) removing access to local news from their platforms, Swift Current Online encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the Swift Current Online app.
Sat, May 18, 1:00 PM
Full-time, Part-time, Permanent, Hospitality, Skilled Trades
Featured
