National Online Clearinghouses for Missing Persons: A Guide to English-Speaking Countries
By: Shane Lambert Original publication date: October 5th, 2025
Online clearinghouses for missing persons are essential tools that enable families, law enforcement, and communities to collaborate in resolving cases. These platforms centralize case data, facilitate tip submissions, and often integrate forensic databases.
As most of the readers at Missing Persons Commentary are English speaking, I decided to start, build, and update a page for English-speaking countries that have developed online clearinghouses for missing person cases.
Below, I explore key clearinghouses in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other English-speaking regions, highlighting their features and impact.
United States: NamUs – A Comprehensive National Resource
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), launched in 2009 by the U.S. Department of Justice, is a cornerstone for missing persons cases (namus.nij.ojp.gov). Handling over 600,000 annual reports, NamUs offers a free, public-access database for missing persons, unidentified remains, and unclaimed bodies. Users can search profiles, submit anonymous tips, and upload family DNA for matching. Law enforcement accesses forensic tools like fingerprint and dental analysis. With an estimated 100,000 active cases at any time, NamUs has resolved thousands, empowering families to engage directly in searches.
Canada's Missing (canadasmissing.ca), managed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains (NCMPUR), addresses 70,000–80,000 annual reports, most resolved quickly.
The platform provides searchable profiles of missing individuals and unidentified remains, with tools for tip submissions and downloadable posters. Canada’s Missing also promotes awareness through campaigns, supporting families navigating long-term cases. Furthermore, there are publications regarding missing people provided.
United Kingdom: UK Missing Persons Unit – National Investigative Support
In the United Kingdom, the UK Missing Persons Unit (UKMPU), part of the National Crime Agency, operates its primary resource at nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/missingpersons. Handling over 200,000 annual reports, the UKMPU serves as a national and international liaison for missing persons and unidentified remains cases.
The charity Missing People (missingpeople.org.uk) complements this with an independent appeal database and 24/7 family support, enhancing community outreach.
Ireland: Garda Missing Persons – DNA-Integrated System
Ireland’s An Garda Síochána maintains its missing persons portal at garda.ie/en/missing-persons, featuring active case profiles, including children linked to globalmissingkids.org. The site supports tip submissions and integrates with Forensic Science Ireland’s DNA database, established in 2015, which stores profiles from relatives and remains for international matching via Interpol. Northern Ireland aligns with the UK’s system under the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Non-profit efforts like missing.ie provide additional helplines for families.
Australia and New Zealand: Regional Focus with Public Engagement
Australia’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC), run by the Australian Federal Police, operates via missingpersons.gov.au, profiling over 2,600 long-term cases from 38,000 annual reports. It promotes cases through social media, posters, and National Missing Persons Week, linking to state databases. New Zealand’s police maintain a concise list at police.govt.nz/missing-persons, displaying select cases with permission and offering guidance for international reports. Both nations emphasize rapid resolution, with most cases closing within days, but stress ongoing cross-border needs.
On August 17th, 2022, a family member last saw Angela Alexis as she left a residence on the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation in Alberta. Days before, she had been socializing with family and friends.
Last Contact: August 17th, 2022 (per government source); a news report suggests September 2nd, 2022 (APTN News).
Profile
Last Location: Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Alberta (northwest of Edmonton, near Onoway)
Age at Disappearance: 28
Sex: Female
Height: 66 inches
Weight: 170 lbs
Ethnicity: Aboriginal/Indigenous
Hair Color: Black/brown, long and straight
Eye Color: Brown
Scar/Distinctive Characteristic: None noted
BMI: 27.44 (overweight by BMI standards; note: BMI is a general guide, not definitive for all body types)
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW): See related posts via this #MMIW hashtag.
By Shane Lambert, originally written February 11th, 2025
Has Angela Morningstar Alexis Been Found?
As of March 16th, 2025, Angela remains missing. Early journalism covered her case, but updates have been scarce. The discrepancy between August 17th (Canada’s Missing) and September 2nd (APTN News) for her last sighting suggests possible ambiguity in reports.
Family statements hint at risky associations—her uncle, Francis Alexis, advised her to avoid drug and alcohol abusers. Angela had recently been released from prison and faced past trauma, which may contextualize her disappearance.
YouTube Coverage
This video explores details of Angela’s case, including family efforts to find her.
Call to Action
What do you think happened to Angela? Share your thoughts below or help spread awareness using #MMIW.
Details from a government source (might be paraphrased): On February 5th, 1991, Brian Adrain was seen for the last time. Brian’s abandoned vehicle was found west of Millarville, also known as McLean Creek, in the Kananaskis area in Alberta.
Last contact: February 5th, 1991 (Tuesday)
Last location: Kananaskis, Alberta, west of Millarville or McLean Creek
Age when Brian Douglas Adrain disappeared: 37
Sex: Male
Height in inches: 69
Weight in pounds (lbs): 146
Ethnicity: White/Caucasian
Hair color: Brown and long
Eye Color: Green
Scar or distinctive characteristic:
Link to Government Source (Canada's Missing): 2014003507 (right click to open)
BMI means body mass index. It is meant to describe someone's healthy body weight relative to the individual's height. It is only food for thought because it does not account for all body types.
BMI means body mass index. It is meant to describe someone's healthy body weight relative to the individual's height. It is only food for thought because it does not account for all body types. He was at a healthy weight by BMI standards at the time of her disappearance.
Commentary and Research
By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: February 11th, 2025
Has Brian Douglas Adrain been found?
As of the original time of writing, Brian Adrain has not been found. One source indicated that he went missing while hiking.
The McLean Creek area is at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, west of Calgary. You would expect dangerous hiking conditions with a lot of snowfall at that time of year in the region. Presumptively, I think this is a hiking accident. Secondly, you would wonder if there was an animal attack.
Details from a government source (might be paraphrased): On February 14th, 1992, Gloria Abotossaway was last seen by a family member on Shuter Street in Toronto, Ontario.
Last contact: February 14th, 1992 (Friday, Valentine's Day)
DOB: October 7th, 1963
Last location: Toronto, Ontario on Shuter Street
Age when Gloria Jean Abotossaway disappeared: 28
Sex: Female
Height in inches: 62
Weight in pounds (lbs): 130
BMI: Gloria Jean Abotossaway had a BMI of 23.77. She was at a healthy weight by BMI standards at the time of her disappearance.
Ethnicity: Aboriginal/Indigenous
Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women: Click the tag "missing and murdered aboriginal women" to see all the cases that are profiled at this site
Hair color: Brown and long
Eye Color: Brown
Scar or distinctive characteristic: Nothing found
Link to Government Source (Canada's Missing): 2014005078 (right click to open)
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Commentary and Research
By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: February 11th, 2025
At the original time of writing, full research on this case is pending. However, I wanted to get some bullet points onto the website regarding this case. I found some useful information on the Websleuths page for this missing person (her page is hyperlinked above).
The Websleuths page itself hyperlinks back to Canada's Missing, the RCMP's website for Canada's missing people. However, it's not clear where the Websleuths user got the info (web pages change all the time). It did state the following pointers:
She lived at 90 Shuter Street.
The MP said she was going to Moss Park with her boyfriend, someone named Lenny.
They were going to meet someone named Bob Russo.
Gloria Abotossaway took her birth certificate and a status card with her (a status card is a card that some Indigenous people in Canada have; it is government identification that pertains to The Indian Act); She was a member of the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nations, otherwise known as Sucker Creek First Nations in Little Current, Manitoulin Island.
The missing person had previous disappearances that were presumptively voluntary and short-term.
There was a murder in her apartment the night she disappeared. The victim was David Marlatt.
There was a statement saying that Gloria was not considered to be involved in anything suspicious, despite the murder of someone in her apartment.
Her address at 90 Shuter Street is visible in Google Maps going back to September 2007. You can visit this page to see the building and what it looked like at that time.
It's said she was going to Moss Park, which would be a very short walk from her address. This was known as a rough area in 1992, with drug transactions and dangerous people.
She did go missing on Valentine's Day and the MP was with her boyfriend. This wasn't someone that anyone in her circles knew well as he has not been identified (only as "Lenny").
Can't Look Further Than The Murder in Her Apartment
I think the elephant in the room with this case was that there was a murder in her apartment the night of her disappearance. She clearly wasn't having a standard day.
I think anyone thinking about this case should wonder what it means exactly to go missing on the same day that there is a murder in your apartment of another individual, a murder that the police did not think you committed.
The murdered man was named David Marlatt. I did some research, I think I found the murderer, but I don't want to name him in print. I do feel safe in saying that Gloria Jean Abotossaway kept some dangerous associations.
Did she see too much? More research is necessary on this case.
My inclination is that someone had a motive to disappear her. However, the kind of person who has a murder take place in their apartment is someone more likely to have dangerous associations.
Furthermore, in news sources, it is stated that she has not filed taxes since at least the year 2000. If she filed in that year, then it would mean she survived her disappearance date by several years.
Are we dealing with two dates in this case? One in 1992 and then another around 2000? Tax returns were signed back then, so would that be proof she survived the timeframe after the murder in her apartment?
Yet, her family has not seen her since the night of the murder in 1992. She is missing from them in that sense, but it seems like she has a paper trail extending to the year 2000.
The last thing I want to say at this time is that "Lenny" and "Bob Russo," whoever they are, could have many name variations. Lenny could be all of Leo, Leonard, Leonardo, and perhaps more. Meanwhile, Bob could be Bobby, Robert, Rob, Robbie, Robby, and perhaps more as well. Anyone researching this case should be aware of all the different spellings.
I also wondered if Russo was the spelling of the name or just how it sounded. If it is just the way the name sounded, then it brings "Rousseau" into play.
Details from a government source (might be paraphrased): Marlene Abigosis was last seen in March of 1984 in the downtown east side of Vancouver. Marlene was engaged in a high-risk lifestyle. Marlene was known to work near the docks, and clients who owned boats would take Marlene with them on trips to Washington State and Vancouver Island.
Last contact: March 27th, 1984 (Tuesday), according to date-of-death at family tree at Ancestry; I believe the use of January 1st in some reporting may only be due to using the first day of the year as a placeholder
Last location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Age when Marlene Yvonne Abigosis disappeared: 26 (Canada's Missing says 27 years old, but that appears to be wrong) (DOB: November 23rd, 1957, according to her Ancestry family tree profile)
Sex: Female
Height in inches: 66
Weight in pounds (lbs): 119
Ethnicity: Aboriginal/Indigenous
Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women: Click the hashtag to see all of the "missing and murdered aboriginal women" profiled at this site
Hair color: Black and wavy shoulder-lengthed hair
Eye Color: Brown
Scar or distinctive characteristic: Nothing found
Link to Government Source (Canada's Missing): 2014001708 (right click to open)
BMI means body mass index. It is meant to describe someone's healthy body weight relative to the individual's height. It is only food for thought because it does not account for all body types.
Marlene Yvonne Abigosis had a BMI of 19.21. This means that she was at a healthy weight by BMI standards at the time of her disappearance.
Commentary and Research
By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: February 11th, 2025
Has Marlene Yvonne Abigosis been found?
In regard to the missing person, Marlene Yvonne Abigosis, the Canada's Missing website states that she frequented Vancouver's downtown east side. This is one of the most notorious areas of Canada in terms of clandestine activity and public safety. The epicenter of the area is East Hastings Street, where is crosses with Main Street.
This is the area that serial killer Robert Pickton frequented. However, Marlene's 1984 disappearance date is still several years earlier than when it is thought that he started disappearing prostitutes from the area.
It is stated that Marlene Abigosis had a high-risk lifestyle. That is normally associated with prostitution, substance abuse, and/or dangerous associations (ie. people who use drugs or are involved in the trade).
It is also said that she sometimes went in boats with clients to Vancouver Island and Washington State. Unfortunately, this does make you wonder a client disappeared her in water.
Ironing Out Some Details
The missing person does appear in a family tree at Ancestry (paywalled). Her parents were Frank Abigosis and Vitaline Lillian Abigosis, both passed on. Marlene Abigosis is also treated as deceased in the family tree as of March 27th, 1984. She was 26 years old at the time, making her age at her Canada's Missing profile a little bit off.
This missing person does not really have a significant presence in the online databases I looked at (Ancestry and Newspapers.com). She was part of a huge family with scores of siblings. Perhaps a family member can shed some light on her last months before her disappearance in the comments section.
She did appear in some newspapers in 2002, but this well after her disappearance event. Furthermore, the following blurb contains information not supported by those that maintain her family tree. As often the case, it's not clear which source to go by.
Vancouver Sun, July 26th, 2002.
When January 1st appears in a missing person report, it is normally just a result of someone using the date as a placeholder or to bypass a field that must be entered. It would usually mean the MP disappeared sometime that year. The family tree specifies March 27th, 1984, as her date of death, presumably her date of disappearance too. Also, her family tree says she was originally from Manitoba, not Saskatchewan.
Details from a government source (might be paraphrased): On May 2nd, 1981, Verna Bjerky was seen for the last time hitchhiking from Hope to Kamloops, British Columbia. She carried roller skates over her shoulder and was seen getting into a vehicle with a lone occupant. Verna has not been seen or heard from since.
Last contact: A local boy saw her on May 2nd, 1981 (Saturday) at about 4 PM. Presumably, this was the person who saw her enter a vehicle. A friend of Verna's had seen her at about 1 PM in nearby Hope, BC.
Last location: Yale, BC is often listed as her last-known location, however, most of the early journalism suggested she was seen closer to Hope, BC, on the edge of town near the Trans Canada Highway.
Age when Verna Susan Bjerky disappeared: 16 (near her 17th birthday but she was 16 when last seen)
DOB: May 10th, 1981
Sex: Female
Height in Inches: 61-62
Weight in pounds (lbs): 110 - 115
Ethnicity: White/Caucasian
Hair color: Long blonde hair with short bangs
Eye Color: Hazel
Scar or distinctive characteristic: Gap between front teeth, scar on her left rib cage
Mother: Clare Chrane
Clothing and articles: $7 (there were no loonies or twoonies at that time in Canadian history), a handbag, a leather coat, blue denim pants, a red shirt with white flowers, a grey cotton sweatshirt, canvas brown "North Star" shoes, a blue and red cotton vest, and she carried rollerskates (these skates had her name on them "Verna Bjerky"). She may have had a knife as a friend claimed she gave her one the day she disappeared.
August 14th, 1997. The Vancouver Sun.
Her rollerskates and purse appear to have been found in or near the Freaser River near Highway 7. I think that the date they were found was October 19th, 1981.
Link to Government Source (Canada's Missing): 2014001314 (right click to open)
BMI means body mass index. It is meant to describe someone's healthy body weight relative to their height. It is only food for thought because it does not account for all body types.
Verna Susan Bjerky had a BMI of 20.78. She was at a healthy weight by BMI standards at the time of her disappearance.
Commentary and Research
By: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: February 5th, 2025
Has Verna Susan Bjerky been found?
Verna Susan Bjerky has been missing since Saturday, May 2nd, 1981. She's among the missing people in North America who were last seen hitchhiking. Verna's missing person case had a lot of journalism, both back in the 1980s and even journalism coverage from 2024. I will review the details of her case as per the journalism that covered it.
The first newspaper clipping that I found that pertained to this case was a classified advertisement. Someone placed an ad in the Vancouver Sun on May 20th, 1981. This would have been eighteen days after Verna was last seen. If I am not mistaken, someone who cared about her wanted to find a clue to what happened to her by locating the roller skates that she had with her. The classified ad below appeared in the "Lost" column.
The first instance of journalism I found appeared on May 27th, 1981 in The Hope Standard. The town of Hope is located a couple of hours east of Vancouver. According to this article, the last person to see her was a local boy who saw her leaving Hope and walking toward the Trans Canada Highway. Based on this, you would think she would have been last seen within a couple kilometers of these coordinates: 49.39163243453994, -121.46069332795696.
There was a bus strike wtih Greyhound that made the young woman reliant on hitchhiking for transportation. She was planning on going to Kamloops for one day to visit her boyfriend.
Her chosen route might strike some as strange. Most people who travel from Hope to Kamloops might take the No. 5 highway, known as the Coquihalla Highway. However, this highway was not completed until later in the 1980s. If you are looking at modern maps, then picture the highways without the No. 5 route.
In the journalism from 1981, Verna's case was often mentioned in conjunction with numerous other missing children (whether younger or teenagers).
In journalism after 1981, the name "Clifford Olson" is often mentioned in conjunction with Verna Susan Bjerky. Olson, who died in 2011, was a Canadian serial killer who focused on killing children. Verna disappeared during a small time frame when Olson was on a rampage in the region.
A friend of Verna's claimed that she and Verna had hitched a ride together in late April 1981 and that Clifford Olson was the driver. There was the suggestion that Olson tried to poison or drug each of them but failed (the friend, Cathy Lamberton, felt like peanuts they were gifted might have been tampered with). They were dropped off in Kamloops, BC safe and sound. Based on this, if Verna's path crossed with Olson's on May 2nd, she might have accepted a ride from him, with some comfort, based on her safe passage in an earlier trip.
Commentary and Opinion
That Verna's friend claimed that they had survived an encounter with Clifford Olson in the days before the disappearance probably is not a coincidence. I think she likely did meet up with him again while hitchhiking and that it cost her her life.
As for finding her, I think it might be futile if her body was dumped into the Fraser River. Her belongings were found near this river and it is the longest river in British Columbia. With the force of the river and flooding, something as small as a human body can end up anywhere in the region. Furthermore, the shifting of sediment could bury a body such that only a change geological event would reveal it.
If she ended up somewhere else, then the gap in her teeth is a clue. This can be cross-referenced to any Jane Doe descriptions.
The last thing I wanted to mention with this case is just how the strike involving Greyhound bus lines played a role. It's enough to suggest that bus line transportation in Canada should be considered an essential service as it's infinitely safer to be a bus than hitchhiking.
Details from a government source (might be paraphrased): Juanita Migwans was last seen on October 4th, 2024, on Riverside Drive in the First Nation of M'Chigeeng, Ontario. She did not have her cell phone or bank card. Some sources have said she "lost" them, which would imply accidental misplacing. The last banking activity was on September 25th, 2024. Her family and friends are concerned for her well-being as she hasn't been heard from.
Last contact: October 4th, 2024 (Friday)
Last location: M'Chigeeng First Nation, Ontario, on Manitoulin Island
Age when Juanita Migwans disappeared: 30
Sex: Female
Height in inches: 66
Weight in pounds (lbs): 110 lbs, described as thin or slender, and looks petite in her photos. She would be underweight by BMI standards.
Ethnicity: Indigenous. Pale to slightly swarthy appearance in photos.
Hair color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Scar or distinctive characteristic: Tattoos (1) Left Foot, A bird carrying a ribbon with text "THIS TOO SHALL PASS" (2) Left Ankle, A heart.
Link to Government Source: 2024054239 (right click to open)
Websleuths discussion page: Juanita Migwans (right click to open)
Original time of writing: January 31st, 2025, updates in March 2025
There was an update this case in April 2026, involving increased reward money and leads that could not be disclosed: see Sudbury.com.
Please note, this is a case with evolving details. As for information accuracy, the only guarantee is that I will try my best, source, and revisit with updates from time-to-time.
Has Juanita Migwans been found?
Juanita Migwans went missing on October 4th, 2024. As of March 24th, 2025, she remains missing.
In recent news at the time of writing, there was a significant reward related to her case. According to a recent CTV News article, "The Ontario Government is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the disappearance of Juanita Migwans as United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin Police Service Commission (UCCM Police) Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continue their search efforts."
The way the above quotation reads, it sounds as though foul play is suspected. In a more official statement, the police said foul play was not ruled out.
Juanita Migwans went missing from an Indian reserve on Manitoulin Island. This island stands out as the largest island in the world that is in a lake (Lake Huron).
She was last seen on Riverside Drive on the reserve. This is a short segment of roadway. It's not clear what time of day she was last seen or which direction she was heading by the news coverage.
What stands out in this case, is she did not have a phone, bank card, or ID with her when she disappeared. This has some implications. For instance, it would imply that she was not planning on leaving Manitoulin Island. She has not done any banking transactions since September 25th, 2024, which was nine days before her last sighting.
Furthermore, according to news in late March 2025, this individual has uncollected money. This latter point would be ominous based on several other cases involving uncollected money.
There was a previous sighting of her that has been reported in some sources. Some early sources back in November state that she was last seen on October 2nd, 2024 at 10:30am at the intersection of Highway 551 and Oakhill Drive. The latter citing, of October 4th, has been described as a phone call in some sources. I
There is a social media source that states that she was involved in a court case.
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Juanita Migwans Case Update: March 19th, 2025 Developments
As of March 19th, 2025, Juanita "Winnie" Migwans remains missing, but her case has gained significant traction. An update from The Manitoulin Expositor (Jacqueline St.Pierre), reveals that a community-driven billboard campaign was launched to keep her disappearance in the spotlight.
The first billboard went up on Highway 17 on March 14th, 2025, costing $3,500, with a $100,000 reward now offered. This doubled the $50,000 noted earlier. This escalation underscores rising urgency six months after she vanished from M’Chigeeng First Nation on October 4th, 2024.
The March 19th update also ties Juanita’s case to the broader Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) crisis. "Missing and murdered aboriginal women" is a tag I use on my blog (which you are looking at right now). You can click the tag if you are interested in other cases involving missing Aboriginal women in Canada.
Credit to St.Pierre and The Manitoulin Expositor for illuminating the billboard effort.
Juanita Migwans Case Update: March 24th, 2025 Developments
As of today, March 24th, 2025, Juanita "Winnie" Migwans remains missing nearly six months after her disappearance on October 4th, 2024. A recent article by Kenneth Armstrong at SooToday.com provides new details on the ongoing efforts to find her. Here’s what’s happening:
Her family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for three additional billboards—planned for Hwy. 17 between Espanola and Sault Ste. Marie, between Espanola and Sudbury, and Hwy. 69 north of Parry Sound—building on an existing billboard on Manitoulin Island. As of late March 24th, this campaign had raised $5822. Please consider supporting it, noting that even small donations from a lot of people can help them achieve their goals.
The article from Kenneth Amstrong says that funds from a Robinson-Huron Treaty settlement remain untouched. I will comment on this shortly.
Despite exhaustive searches by Tribal Police and the OPP, no leads have surfaced, prompting volunteer Peggy Simon to speculate about foul play or sex trafficking.
Migwans’ case continues to rally her community, who hope the expanded billboard campaign will yield answers.
I have been writing about missing person mysteries for a decade now with research on numerous cases. Uncollected money is often a major flag. In some cases in the past, I know police have considered substantial amounts of uncollected money to strongly suggest that a missing person is deceased.
Migwans' case was serious from the start but that she did not collect her treaty money, as reported in the Armstrong article, is very convincing to me that this is not a voluntary disappearance. I don't think many people are looking at this mystery feeling like she was missing voluntarily but her failure to collect the treaty money should put to bed any notion of a voluntary disappearance.
From what I gathered, the reserve won a settlement and there have been incremental payments made to band members over time. It must be one of these incremental payments that she did not collect.
The "uncollected money" circumstance is one I am trying to build on at my blog. The current posts associated with this theme can be found here.
GoFundMe Campaign Aims to Raise Funds for Awareness
The GoFundMe campaign, titled "Bring Juanita (Winnie) Home - awareness through billboards," organized by Mary-Ann Ashcroft, has raised $5,822 of its $15,000 goal as of the latest update.
This effort underscores the community's determination to keep Juanita's story visible while seeking answers to her disappearance. Furthermore, the diversity of the donors shows that there is a broader concern for her well-being.
Original time of writing: May 5th, 2024 | Updated: August 22, 2025
Exploring Robert Pickton’s Crimes Through a Gripping Documentary
If you’re searching for a compelling online documentary about Robert Pickton, the notorious Canadian serial killer who targeted women from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, look no further than The Infographics Show on YouTube. Their episode, titled “The Pig Farmer - Canada’s Most EVIL Serial Killer,” was published on November 7th, 2023, and has garnered over 1,000,000 views as of August 2025. This 34-35-minute documentary offers a detailed look into Pickton’s life and crimes, making it a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts.
A Deep Dive into Pickton’s Troubled Life
The documentary traces Pickton’s early years on a farm in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, where he endured abuse and mental trauma. It highlights his struggles as a social outcast among peers, setting the stage for his descent into one of Canada’s most infamous serial killers.
The animated narrative, interspersed with real-life photos, effectively conveys the chilling progression of his crimes, which involved the murder of at least 26 women, many of whom were sex workers from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Pickton was convicted in 2007 of six counts of second-degree murder, though he confessed to an undercover officer that he killed 49 women.
Critical Perspective on Police Handling
A central theme of the documentary is the Vancouver Police Department’s mishandling of the missing women cases. It critiques the systemic bias and negligence that delayed Pickton’s capture, as the disappearances of sex workers were often dismissed.
This perspective aligns with findings from the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry, which highlighted “blatant failures” in police investigations, including ignored warnings from a geographic profiler in 1997. After watching, viewers gain a sobering understanding of how societal indifference contributed to the tragedy.
Is There a Movie About Robert Pickton?
While there’s no feature film about Robert Pickton that I’m aware of, online documentaries like this one fill the gap. The Infographics Show’s episode stands out with its well-written narrative and engaging animation, complemented by real-life images of key figures in the case. It strikes a balance between informative storytelling and visual appeal, making it accessible to a wide audience. However, it was published in the months before Pickton's death so details about the end of his life are not in the documentary.
Recent Developments in the Pickton Case: Death in Prison
In May 2024, Robert Pickton was attacked in a Quebec prison and died from his injuries, as reported by CTV News and other sources. This event marked the end of a dark chapter, but it also reignited discussions about justice for his victims. Families of the victims expressed mixed emotions, with some feeling closure and others believing his death prevented further answers.
You see this kind of division a lot when a serial killer dies. People don't necessarily shed tears but they realize that the murderer took answers to important questions to the grave.
Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside: A Troubled Area
Having lived in Greater Vancouver for about five years, including a month in a hotel in the East Hastings area, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Known as one of Canada’s most troubled neighborhoods, it’s marked by homelessness and poverty, exacerbated by the city’s mild winter climate compared to cities like Edmonton or Montreal. The documentary underscores how this destitute environment, coupled with societal neglect, allowed Pickton to target vulnerable women for years. It’s a stark reminder of the need for systemic change to protect marginalized communities.
Why This Documentary Matters
This documentary not only recounts Pickton’s heinous crimes but also sheds light on the broader social and institutional failures that enabled them. It’s a compelling watch for those interested in true crime, Canadian history, or social justice issues. By combining factual storytelling with critical analysis, it leaves viewers with a deeper understanding of the case and its lasting impact.
Paraphrased details from government source**: On the morning of May 18th, 1993, Christine Harron stayed home from school as she was not feeling well. Around lunchtime, Christine and her mother argued about Christine returning to school for the afternoon. Her mother heard Christine leave the house at about 1:30 pm. Christine did not attend school that afternoon and has not been seen since. The investigation revealed that Christine left the house without her purse, money, or knapsack. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest and conviction of a male regarding the disappearance of Christine Harron, however, she remains missing.
Missing Person: Christine Marianne Harron
Last-contact date: May 18th, 1993 (Tuesday) The area where the MP was last seen: Hanover, Ontario; it sounded like she disappeared between her residence and John Diefenbaker High School. Link to government source: Canada's Missing 2010001799
VITAL DETAILS
Ethnicity: White or Caucasian Sex: Female Age at time of disappearance: 15 years old Birthdate: Christine Marianne Harron was born between May 19th, 1977, and May 18th, 1978 based on her reported age at the last date of reported contact. Hair: Brown, long Eyes: Blue Scar: None known Height/weight: 5'3" and 110 pounds BMI*: Christine Marianne Harron was in the normal range for BMI. Tattoos: Christine Marianne Harron had no tattoos associated with her profile.
Christine Marianne Harron was last heard from on May 18th, 1993 when she was 15 years of age.
This individual has now been missing for about 32 years as of early 2025. However, her disappearance is not as clouded in mystery as many other disappearances.
A man named Anthony Edward Ringel pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Harron's case. According to a National Post article from October 2016, he abducted, raped, and murdered the teenage girl before leaving her dead near the Saugeen River. When this river flooded in what I think was 1994 (as communicated by the NP article), the resulting currents and water flow may have moved her body.
Taking everything at face value, this isn't a case that amateurs will be able to help with much. People who go missing in water are often missing until a chance event of a geological nature or even real-estate developmental reveals them. Missing people in flooded areas are often buried underneath a lot of sediment.
I would say that amateurs probably will not find a clue in this case. However, a news report in the area of human remains being found in association with the Saugeen River or even Lake Huron would be interesting. That said, people who are absolutely known to have fallen into a river often stay missing for decades and decades.
Christine's clothing could be cross-referenced against any Jane Does in the area. She may have had the following articles when she disappeared: a light-blue denim jacket, blue denim pants, black running shoes, and plastic glasses that were brown and had tape.
One interesting takeaway from this case is that the teen disappeared after an argument with her mother. Perhaps, that fueled the idea that Christine had been a runaway. But based on the conviction, it's clear that she met up with a clandestine individual.
There were many alleged sightings of Christine, all of which would be false if the words of Ringel were to be trusted. Given that he received a lengthy sentence for his admissions, it doesn't make sense that he's lying. But that many people reported seeing her even though she is conclusively dead is a point that can be taken away from this case. Unfortunately, sightings of missing people can be pretty frivolous.
That does bring to mind a lot of cases involving missing people, like Paula Jean Welden. Sightings of missing people that are ambiguous should be taken with a big grain of salt in my view, but never discounted.
Thank you for reading. If have any information about this case, consider contacting the authorities.
Author:Shane Lambert (Vancouver, Canada)
All articles are subject to editing after the original posting.
Shane Lambert (Vancouver, Canada) is not a Private Investigator, however, he is currently studying to be one as of April 2021.
If you like this blog, then you can join the affiliated Facebook group: MPC Facebook Group
Website hashtag: #MPCSL
*For BMI values, I use the UPPER or HIGHER ranges that are given for height and weight. **Might not be the exact meaning that NamUs or Canada's Missing conveys. I improve upon their descriptions with my research. Disclaimer: Non-opinionated information at this site generally comes from government sources or police reports. Other sources may be used.
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Paraphrased details from government source**: Mary Frances Gregory left her home in Parry Sound, Ontario on February 15th, 1978. She wanted to vacation in California but she failed to arrive at her destination in Palo Alto, California. She has not contacted any family members or friends since. Ms. Gregory is believed to have departed Canada by motor vehicle with a male acquaintance who states that he let her off at a bus station in Las Vegas, Nevada some ten days after leaving Canada. The driver claims to have driven to Nevada via the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.
Missing Person: Mary Frances Gregory
Last-contact date: February 15th, 1978 (Wednesday) The area where the MP was last seen: Scenario 1: Parry Sound, Ontario on February 15th, 1978; or Scenario 2: the Las Vegas bus station on February 28th, 1978; or Scenario 3: the Lougheed Hotel in Burnaby between 1993 and 1995 Link to government source: Canada's Missing Case reference 2006017399
VITAL DETAILS
Ethnicity: White or Caucasian Sex: Female Age at time of disappearance: 19 years old Birthdate: May 27th, 1958 Hair: Brown, straight, and shoulder lengthed according to Canada's Missing; her missing person page with the state of California's Department of Justice says her hair was blonde; it looks brownish in her picture. Eyes: Hazel Scar: None known Height/weight: 5-foot-3 and 110 pounds BMI*: Mary Frances Gregory was in the normal range for BMI. Tattoos: Mary Frances Gregory had no tattoos associated with her profiles.
Distinctive: She had a mark on the right of her abdomen that was nickel-shaped and brown. One source places the mark on the right side of her chest by her rib cage. She had/has a mole on her wrist.
Mary Frances Gregory, a missing person, was last heard from on February 15th, 1978 when she was 19.
This individual has now been missing for about 47 years as of early 2025.
This is an interesting case because it involves a border-crossing traveler. Mary Frances Gregory was Canadian and her last-known location is often said to be Parry Sound. However, if the male traveler that she was with is taken as credible, then her last known location would be the Las Vegas bus station. Interestingly, this location is not considered to be her last-seen location according to many of the sources that list missing persons. It suggests that the man she was traveling with was not believed.
The route that the travelers took from Parry Sound to Las Vegas doesn't seem complete: "The driver claims to have driven to Nevada via the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona." These states are not all adjacent so there are some gaps worth exploring. This kind of route between Parry Sound and Las Vegas would suggest that the two travelers were adventurous.
To get from Ontario to Nevada, the following route is possible: Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, and then either Iowa/Nebraska or Missouri/Kansas, before getting to Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. In short, the states of Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas can be looked at for Jane Does that match to Mary Frances Gregory. Additionally, California can be considered as it has been stated that Mary was going to Palo Alto.
If you are looking at a Jane Doe as a potential match to Mary Gregory, then the mark on her right abdomen/chest might be the best identifier. If putrefaction has taken place, then consider her height against the Jane Doe's. Also, the Jane Doe's date of death being close to Mary's date of disappearance would be interesting.
Yet, this is a case where there was a lead in 2004 that suggested Mary was still alive as of the mid-1990s. The Province, a newspaper in Vancouver, ran an article that stated a trucker had conversed with her at a hotel. There are some details in the article below that are not the same as Mary's missing person profile: the article spells her middle name as "Francis" instead of "Frances" and her stated age of 20 at the time of her disappearance is off by a year compared to other sources. However, the picture makes it clear that we're talking about the same missing person case.
28 Oct 2004, Thu The Province (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) Newspapers.com
The Lougheed Hotel, the hotel that's mentioned in the article above, was located at 4343 Lougheed Highway. This is a highway that runs east/west from metro Vancouver to the town of Hope, north of the Fraser River. Google Maps ground views of the area of the hotel go back to 2007.
I did not find any follow-up articles on this case. Nor did I find any journalism from about the time of her disappearance. Please feel free to comment if you find some good newspaper articles from about the time of her disappearance.
Author:Shane Lambert (Vancouver, Canada)
All articles are subject to editing after the original posting.
Shane Lambert (Vancouver, Canada) is not a Private Investigator, however, he is currently studying to be one as of April 2021.
If you like this blog, then you can join the affiliated Facebook group: MPC Facebook Group
Website hashtag: #MPCSL
*For BMI values, I use the UPPER or HIGHER ranges that are given for height and weight. **Might not be the exact meaning that NamUs or Canada's Missing conveys. I improve upon their descriptions with my research. Disclaimer: Whenever possible, government sources are preferred for getting the details of a missing persons case. However, any source that the article writer deems reputable may be used.
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"Kristofer Couture drove his vehicle from Alberta to the lower mainland in British Columbia to find work and had cut off ties from his family. Kristofer worked construction for a short period of time while living in his vehicle near Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Kristofer also frequented a gym in Burnaby, British Columbia. Kristofer was last seen leaving the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, British Columbia on January 26, 2019. His unoccupied vehicle was seen the following day parked at the Elk Mountain Trail in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Kristofer was reported missing on May 17, 2019 and his vehicle was found parked at the same location."
Missing Person: Kristofer Shawn Couture Last-contact date: January 26th, 2019 The area where the MP was last seen: Chilliwack, British Columbia Link to government source: MP @ Canada's Missing
VITAL DETAILS
Ethnicity: Caucasian Sex: Male Age at time of disappearance: 25 years old Birthdate: Kristofer Shawn Couture was born between January 27th, 1993, and January 26th, 1994 based on his reported age at the last date of reported contact. Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Scar: Below left eye (not clear in picture) Height/weight: 5'8" according to a poster, 5'11" according to Canada's Missing; 194 pounds Tattoos: Kristofer Shawn Couture did not have any tattoos associated with his profiles. If you know that the missing person did have tattoos, then please post a remark at the end of this blog post on the matter.
Popular hashtag: This blog post is part of a "trail hiking series" of posts on this blog. In these cases, the missing people are mentioned in conjunction with a trail or hiking area in reference to their disappearances. This blog post also has "car found person missing" as a tag. This tag describes situations where a person's vehicle is found but the owner or driver remains unaccounted for.
Kristofer Shawn Couture, a missing person, was last heard from on January 26th, 2019 when he was 25 years old. According to Canada's Missing, he was last seen leaving a hospital in New Westminster, the Royal Columbian Hospital.
Couture's case has been mentioned in conjunction with a fitness center that he frequented. This was the Goodlife center at 3433 North Road in Burnaby. The trail that his car was found near in Chilliwack is called the Elk Thurston Trail.
His vehicle was found on January 27th but it was not moved until May 6th. PleaseBringMeHome.com reports that the vehicle had been broken into between January 27th and May 6th. It's possible that clues, in this case, were thus interfered with.
This individual has now been missing for about 2 years as of the original publication date of this blog post. According to AllTrails.com, the "Elk Mountain Trail to Thurston Mountain is a 14.6 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada that features a great forest setting and is rated as difficult."
If Kristofer Couture was using this trail on January 26th, 2019, then he was using it a little out season: "The trail is primarily used for hiking and running and is best used from July until October."
The following video was taken at the trail a few months after Kristofer's disappearance. His vehicle (2003 Saturn ION, light blue with Alberta plates) may, in fact, have been in the area as these Youtubers made their video. As you can see from the April 2019 video below, winter/spring hiking of this trail requires a willingness to brave difficult footing. Accordingly, someone who was hiking alone may have been partaking in a risky adventure.
Reviews of the Elk Thurston Mountain trail dated December 17th, 2018, and January 4th, 2019 both mention challenging if not dangerous conditions. Brittany Pawliuk reviewed the trail as follows about five weeks before Kristofer disappeared:
"Did this hike with my bestie today and I gotta say, waist deep snow is not a whole lot of fun to hike in, especially when you don’t have the proper gear! But it was an amazing experience, and an even more amazing view ☺️
We were hiking for a total of about 7 hours today. after you reach elk (which is straight ice on the way up be careful), it turns into knee high snow and then thigh high, and then waist high the closer you get to Thurston!! We made it within 1 km of Thurston and had to turn around due to the snow and not having proper gear and day light."
Furthermore, a review from about three weeks earlier mentioned carrying an "avalanche shovel." This reviewer claimed that spiked shoes were required for the trail in January of 2019.
Trail hiking will always present some dangers. In Kristofer's case, we have to wonder if he was lost in an avalanche. I'm not sure if all of these occurrences are documented but I am guessing that they are not. However, if someone finds a reference to an avalanche in the area at about the time of his disappearance then what would be interesting to note.
A hiking expert who seemed to know something about the Mount Thurston Trail made these statements at besthikesbc.ca:
"Disclaimer: Winter hiking (snowshoeing) involves significantly more risk than summer hiking. Hikers should be prepared with appropriate education, training and equipment for all possibilities, including but not limited to avalanches. A mistake such as going off trail, getting lost or injured can be far more dangerous in winter than summer. You are responsible for your own safety, and while I am happy to give my opinion on this website as to the avalanche risk of a specific hike, do not take this as fact and please do your own research. Everybody has different risk tolerances and mine might be different to yours."
In addition to the chance that Kristofer Couture fell victim to an avalanche, in my opinion, we have to wonder what it means for someone to go missing when they were last seen at a hospital. This is a venue where people often receive news that they don't necessarily want to hear. It's possible that Kristofer was despondent.
While I did read that many volunteers and family searched the trail and the area where Kristofer's vehicle was found, he was also a very fit individual as evidenced by his dedication to going to the gym. If he was really fit, then he could have gone deep into the woods. That would serve to make the search area for this missing person quite large.
The time of day that he was last seen is also relevant in this case, however, I couldn't find it. I note that on January 26th, 2019, the sunset in Chilliwack was at about 453pm.
As for similar cases at this blog, Kristofer's case reminded me of the case of Wynn Lindsey. Lindsey disappeared in Hawaii in 2015. He was a really fit individual whose car was found near a trailhead. The two cases are not related but I do like comparing and contrasting similar cases as food for thought.
Please share this article to social media using hashtags that are related to where the missing person went missing from, which is Chilliwack, British Columbia.
Author:Shane Lambert (Vancouver, Canada)
All articles are subject to editing after the original posting.
Shane Lambert (Vancouver, Canada) is not a Private Investigator, however, he is currently studying to be one as of March 2021.
If you like this blog, then you can join the affiliated Facebook group: MPC Facebook Group
Website hashtag: #MPCSL
*For BMI values, I use the UPPER or HIGHER ranges that are given for height and weight. **Text might be paraphrased. If taken verbatim, then grammar or spelling errors are not necessarily corrected from original sources. Disclaimer: Whenever possible, government sources are preferred for getting the details of a missing persons case. However, any source that the article writer deems reputable may be used.
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