Showing posts with label missing and murdered aboriginal women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label missing and murdered aboriginal women. Show all posts

Angela Morningstar Alexis -- Missing Since August 17th, 2022

Missing Person: Angela Morningstar Alexis - 2025 Update

Angela Morningstar Alexis missing person poster

Details from a Government Source

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).

Map of Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Alberta

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.

Resources

Commentary and Research

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.

Gloria Jean Abotossaway -- Missing Since February 14th, 1992 After a Murder at Her Apartment

Missing Person: Gloria Jean Abotossaway
Nickname: Marty


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)

Websleuths discussion page: Gloria Jean Abotossaway (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.

Marlene Yvonne Abignosis -- Missing Since January 1st, 1984*

Missing Person: Marlene Yvonne Abignosis



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: January 1st, 1984*
*Disclaimer: when a person is listed as missing on January 1st of a particular year, it can mean that they went missing on any date in that calendar year. 
Last location: Vancouver, BC
Age when Marlene Yvonne Abignosis disappeared: 27
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)

Online discussion page: Marlene Yvonne Abignosis (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 Abignosis 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 Abignosis been found?

At the original time of writing, full research on the case of Marlene Yvonne Abignosis is pending. However, I did want to make some preliminary statements.

Firstly, 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.

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 Abignosis had a high-risk lifestyle. That is normally associated with prostitution, substance abuse, and 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.

Juanita Migwans Missing - Ontario Woman Not Seen Since October 4th, 2024

Missing Person: Juanita Migwans
Nickname or Alias: Winnie
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)
Clothing: Dark-colored pants, light-colored jacket.
DOB: December 18th, 1993

Commentary and Research

By
: Shane Lambert
Original time of writing: January 31st, 2025, updates in March 2025

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.

Credit to Kenneth Armstrong at SooToday.com for this detailed reporting.

Uncollected Money: Often Considered a Major Flag

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.

Robert Pickton Documentary: Canada's Worst Serial Killer

Author: Shane Lambert
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.

Lorelee Sue Lhotka -- Missing Since 1975 in Washington state

Details from NamUs**
Reported to have left home for a doctor's appointment. Supposed to take the bus, but would also hitchhike. Wallet found in Wenatchee National Forest in 1978 at the Blewett Pass.

Missing Person: Lorelee Sue Lhotka
Last-contact date: 1975, possibly in early February
The area where the MP was last seen: Seattle, Washington
Link to government source: NamUs MP#6849



VITAL DETAILS

Ethnicity: Uncertain, but she is listed among missing Indigenous people in Washington state
Sex: Female
Age at time of disappearance: 19 years old
Birthdate: Might have been June 27th, 1957
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Scar: No scars known
Height/weight: 5'3" and 120 pounds
BMI*: Lorelee Sue Lhotka was in the normal range for BMI.
Tattoos: Lorelee Sue Lhotka had no tattoos associated with her profiles. If you know that the missing person did have tattoos, please post a remark at the end of this blog post.

Lorelee Sue Lhotka was last heard from on January 1st, 1975 when she was 19 years of age according to her NamUs profile. However, it should be noted that dates of January 1st in NamUs often refer to an unspecified time of the year.

On this matter, I found one source that said she was last heard from on February 1st of that year. This individual has now been missing for over 50 years. 

I did not find any media coverage with her case at Newspapers.com. I did find a divorce record for a "Lorelee S. Lhotka" dated to December 22nd, 1977.

It was in Washington but I can't be sure it's regarding the missing person, however, I think it was. It was filed by the husband and might be a divorce in absentia. The place of the divorce was Mason, Washington. Her address might have been near Rainer Avenue S. and 57th Avenue S. in Seattle.

One task with this case is to find out what her alias of Spamola refers to. It seems that her maiden name might have been Davis. Furthermore, the pinpoint location of where her wallet was found in 1978 would be very interesting. I found a source that said it was found in the Blewett Pass (Google Maps).

Lastly, this missing person should be looked at concerning all Jane Does that come out of the Wenatchee area that are estimated to have died around 1975.

What stands out with this case was that her wallet was found at Blewett Pass and she was known to hitchhike.

Tags that I've associated with this blog post are below. It's interesting to see what can connect unrelated cases. Click one of the tags to go to an article that is related to this one in some way, shape, or form.

Author: S.K. Lambert (Blogger Hobbyist and Freelance Writer)
All articles are subject to editing after the original posting.
S.K. Lambert (Blogger Hobbyist and Freelance Writer) is not a Private Investigator, however, he is currently studying to be one as of March 2021.
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 person's case. However, any source that the article writer deems reputable may be used.

Abigail Patrice Andrews -- Missing From Fort St. John Since April 2010

Author: Shane Lambert
Original Time of Writing: January 10th, 2021
All articles are subject to editing after the original posting.


Missing person: Abigail Patrice Andrews
Last-seen date: Evening-time on April 7th, 2010 (Wednesday)
Last-seen location: She was last seen in Fort St. John's walking from her apartment on 99th avenue toward a friend's house on 98th avenue; she used 94th street
Link to Government Source: Canada's Missing 2013000114
Ethnicity/Race: White looking but was Metis (mixed aboriginal and white)
Sex: Female
Age at time of disappearance: 28 years old (b. 1982)    
Hair: Brown/dark brown, shoulder-length/long
Eye color: Hazel
Height and weight at the time of disappearance: 6'0" and 201 lbs
Personal effects: Pink blackberry cellular, GUESS brand purse that was leather and purple/lavender/mauve
Other: she was about three months pregnant at the time of her disappearance but not yet showing
Tattoo: Lower Back, Tribal Art
Foreign Object: Chest, Surgical implants (serial numbers available)
Deformity: Right Index Finger, Previously broken and healed in a deformed position
Teeth: Good, used a dental-pallet retainer

Abigail Patrice Andrews went missing on April 7th, 2010 in Fort St. John, a small city in central BC but closer to the Alberta side of the province. Her brother received text messages on the night of her disappearance but those that knew her did not think that the messages came from her. There's a suggestion in this case, that someone was in control of her telephone and sent out communications in order to befuddle the facts of her disappearance.

In journalism that is very early for this missing person's case, Abigail Patrice Andrews is considered dead. Her family reported her missing to the police on April 9th. In the snipping below, the "Andrews" that is cited is her father. Mr. Andrews also said that the people she associated with lead to her downfall. The two places she worked, according to her profile at Canada's Missing, were FSJ Fashions and The Frontier Bar and Grill. Mr. Andrews did not seem to think that the latter was a healthy environment.

Wed, Apr 14, 2010 – 11 · The Province (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

The RCMP searched the landfill for her remains, according to an April 15th, 2010 article in The Province. They did not name a suspect at that time but the father, in particular, seemed to think there was only one. In news from 2013, I did find that the RCMP had a suspect but he was not named.

Thu, Apr 15, 2010 – 16 · The Province (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

A re-enactment was performed in 2013. It doesn't show much except an actress walking on the street. However, it provides a backdrop for the discussion of the case with family members and RCMP making statements in the Youtube video.




Shelly Dene -- Last Seen in Edmonton in August 2013

Author: Shane Lambert
Original Time of Writing: January 6th, 2021
All articles are subject to editing after the original posting.

Shelly Dene. Appears to be a selfie of her last Facebook post from May 17th, 2013.

Missing person: Shelly Tanis (might be Tannis) Dene
Last-seen date: August 2013; one report said July 2013
Last-seen location: Edmonton, Alberta, I think at her grandmother's house near 114th street and 102nd avenue
Last-communication: I think it was August 28th, 2013 via text message to her sister.
Link to Government Source: Case 2014006306
Ethnicity/Race: Aboriginal (of the Fort McKay First Nation)
Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women: Click the tag "missing and murdered aboriginal women" to see all the relevant cases at this website
Sex: Female
Age at time of disappearance: 25 years old
Hair: Brown
Eye color: Brown
Height and weight at the time of disappearance: 5'7" and 110 pounds
Scar: right cheek according to Canada's Missing; however, in a Youtube video I watched the scar(s) may have been on the left side of her face; they are from a dog bite.


Shelly Dene was last seen in August of 2013. However, she was not reported missing until November 8th of that year. This is a case involving a lot of activism on the parts of some of those who knew her. In fact, I lived in Edmonton from 2014 to 2015 and I remember seeing her missing-person posters around the downtown area. 

She had only moved to Edmonton in January of 2013 (one source said June) with a previous residency in Kelowna. At other times in her life, she lived in Fort McMurray, Fort McKay, and Vernon.

In the months or weeks prior to her last communication, she had learned that she would not be getting custody of her child back. Reportedly, this wasn't good for her emotional well-being. In the following excerpt from an Edmonton Journal article, "Candice" refers to Shelly's sister and "Yvonne" refers to Shelly's mother. In what I believe is Shelly's last-known communication, she indicated that she was going to the Yukon.

Mon, May 11, 2015 – 4 · Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) · Newspapers.com

The balance of the picture I got when reading about this case was that Shelly may have been heading to the Yukon in a red truck with a man who was of First Nations descent.

Wed, Aug 27, 2014 – 2 · Whitehorse Daily Star (Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada) · Newspapers.com

          
Someone traveling from Edmonton to the Yukon using the highway would likely head west on the Yellowhead Highway. After that, there are two ways to go: one through White Court and Grand Prairie or one through Grand Cache and Grand Prairie. That she may have been traveling with a man with a vehicle seems to reduce the chances of her using hitchhiking. 

Yet, all leads, in this case, appear to be tenuous. If you read the journalism in an effort to get an inkling of what happened to Shelly, at some points you think suicide because she had a history of substance use. Furthermore, she seemed to be, at least, upset or disappointed at the time of her disappearance over not having custody of her child. Yet, that she may have been motivated to have custody of him or her speaks to a reason to live.

There is a text message that Shelly sent her sister before she disappeared (August 28th, 2013). This is one that answered in the negative when Candice asked if Shelly was okay. That negative response is really hard to ignore. I also read that Shelly's cell phone went out of service in November. I'm wondering what that means exactly in terms of her activity with the phone.

Another circumstance, in this case, is just who exactly was the man she was seen with -- the man with the red truck. I'm sure he is someone that the police would want to question. Shelly's case has received some news exposure. I've wondered if the man has confronted any coverage of her disappearance and, if so, why he hasn't come forward.

Did they go to the Yukon together? Is he missing too? The person that saw him says he was wearing beige clothes and she wondered if he might have been a Truck Driver by profession. Was the red truck actually a rig?

A break, in this case, would be if someone ever came across a missing person's report involving an aboriginal man in western Canada who was last known to be driving a red truck before he disappeared in 2013. Sometimes, when people use the highway they go off the highway. If Shelly disappeared with the man she was last seen with then his case file might generate a lead. Keep an aboriginal male with a red truck in mind if you are among those that peruse through missing people reports.

But, to be honest, there is not much to go on for Shelly. The search area is immense as the trip from Edmonton to Whitehorse is 22 hours or so. At present, I would have to say that the chances of an amateur or websleuth providing a useful lead in this case is low.

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