Community keeps hope alive on 20th anniversary of disappearance of Tamra Keepness

Friday marks 20 years since the disappearance of Tamra Keepness but the community continues to keep hope alive.

An annual barbeque was held on Friday afternoon in the area where Keepness was last seen, with community members, police, and family taking part.

Keepness, who was five years old at the time of her disappearance, was last seen at her home in the 1800 block of Ottawa Street around 11 p.m. on July 5, 2004. She was reported missing on July 6, 2004.

Over the last 20 years, the Regina Police Service (RPS) has conducted hundreds of interviews and followed up on thousands of leads and tips. However, she has never been found, with no explanation on how or why she disappeared.

“It’s so sad, like to think about Tamra would have been 25 today. I heard that she’s a twin and she would have been involved with the community because a lot of her family is involved,” said Ivy Kennedy with Women of the Dawn. 

Shylo Stevenson was part of a team that had come from Kamsack who has taken part in searches.

“Still carrying this 20 years later, it still pulls on the heartstrings and just knowing the family and knowing other searchers and it’s just, the City of Regina all grew up with this,” he said. 

Police feel there is more awareness now of all missing people. They say Tamra represents that and it can be used collectively to create hope for others. 

“Just to know that we don’t forget. It’s something that we’re always looking for. We’re always taking new tips and investigating. It’s still an open file so it’s important that everybody knows that it’s not forgotten and that we work together,” Laurel Marshall, executive officer with RPS, said. 

• 'Poured our life into this investigation': Regina police, community members mark 18 years since Tamra Keepness' disappearance

Tamra's case was highlighted in a documentary television show, Never Seen Again, which aired in 2022.

Two episodes were dedicated to the case, which had interviews with Tamra’s mother, Lorena Keepness, as well as her siblings, investigators, and people involved in the case from the beginning.

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A $50,000 reward for information leading to Tamra's whereabouts was renewed by police in December of 2023.

Tamra Keepness would now be 25 years old.