Police are asking people enjoying the outdoors to keep their eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary on backroads.
As the warmer weather comes and more people are outside enjoying the backwoods, RCMP are asking those in the Prince George, Vanderhoof and Fort St. James areas using gravel roads, power lines and gravel pits to keep a look out for evidence or remains.
The request is in connection with the continuing investigation into the death of Natasha Montgomery.
Cody Legebokoff has been charged with Montgomery’s murder, but her remains have not yet been found.
Legebokoff was charged with the murder of Loren Leslie shortly after he was stopped leaving a backroad between Vanderhoof and Fort St. James on November 27, 2010. The body of 15-year-old Loren Leslie was then found off the logging road Legebokoff was pulling out of.
The subsequent investigation into Loren Leslie’s death lead police to also charge Legebokoff with the murders of Jill Stuchenko, Natasha Montgomery and Cynthia Maas as well.
All of the other alleged murder victims were found off of gravel roads a short distance from a main road or highway, therefore RCMP are hoping to find evidence of Montgomery’s remains in similar areas.
RCMP have already conducted some searches in “high priority areas” and will be continuing their efforts in the region, but are looking to identify additional areas to search.
Constable Leslie Smith, media relations officer for the RCMP said anyone who may have noticed a vehicle pulling out of a forest service road or backroad between September 2010 and November 2010 and wondered “why is that person there?” should contact RCMP.
Hikers, hunters or anyone else using backroads should keep an eye out for any birds gathering, any articles of clothing or anything out of place or which draws their attention.
“Hopefully this message targets anyone that wants to help us,” said Smith, who said many members of the public want to assist with these types of investigations.
The RCMP are looking for any information which might broaden the search pattern or grid they are currently looking at.
Police are requesting that if any remains are located that they not be disturbed in any way. Instead people should make a note of the location, or even obtain GPS coordinates if possible and then provide that information immediately to police in their area.
Police are asking anyone with any information to call the specially created Tip Line 1-877-987-8477 (TIPS).
