A local family is hoping the arrest of a man in connection with a Surrey murder might shed some light on the disappearance of a Mission teen.
According to Division F spokesman Sgt. Paul Dawson, the investigation into Katelyn Noble’s disappearance uncovered information that Saskatchewan Mounties sent to their B.C. counterparts which resulted in arrests in the death of Surrey’s Amanpreet Bahia.
Katelynn, 15, went missing in Radisson, Sask. in August 2007, and one of the last people to see her alive was Eduard Baranec, said the girl’s mother, Leona.
Baranec was arrested Friday and faces charges, along with two other men, in Bahia’s death.
Dawson said RCMP are “aware of the connection between Mr. Baranec” and the missing teen but would not elaborate as its investigation is ongoing.
Regina Mounties visited Leona Saturday night at her Mission home letting her know about Baranec’s arrest. The girl was born and raised in Mission and attended Christine Morrison Elementary School and Cedar Valley Alternate.
She dropped out of school and at 14 years old made her way to Saskatchewan with her 35-year-old boyfriend, Greg Laviolette.
Leona said Katelyn and her boyfriend had had a fight after he saw Katelyn “making out” with Baranec. Laviolette and Baranec began arguing and Katelyn took off towards the highway. Her boyfriend went looking for her, said Leona, and a few days later he called the Mission woman asking if Katelyn had made it home.
Leona said no and the search began.
“I’m putting all my faith in [the RCMP],” she said.
