It's been one year since a Yorkton teen went missing, but her family isn't giving up hope.
Mekayla Bali, 17, was last seen at the Yorkton bus depot on April 12, 2016.
Police and members of Bali’s family spoke about her disappearance at the Saskatchewan RCMP headquarters in Regina on Wednesday.
Paula Bali believes someone knows something about where her daughter is, and says her mind has been filled with “what ifs” since her disappearance.
“It seems impossible to believe that one year has passed with no indication of Mekayla’s whereabouts. It is simply as incredible as her disappearance itself,” she said.
“A sense of absolute panic and fear still has not subsided.”
Mekayla’s younger brother Joshua said he loves his sister and misses her each day.
“It has been the saddest year of my life. My life has changed so much. I miss Mekayla and cry for her every night,” he said.
“I don’t understand what happened to Mekayla. I just want her to come home.”
The family is offering a $25,000 reward in hopes of bringing her home.
RCMP have not been able to confirm the identity of a person of interest in the case. Over the past year, investigators have searched social media and bank records, but they haven’t been able to confirm a digital footprint for the missing teen.
“People just don't vanish without anybody knowing anything,” said RCMP Superintendent Jen Ebert. “There is someone out there who knows something.”
Since her disappearance, police have received more than a hundred tips and have had possible sightings reported.
“It has been very disturbing that there has been no sighting of her in a year that we have been able to confirm,” said Ebert. “That's why we're pleading with the public, whoever knows anything to please share that information with us.”
The family is still hoping that someone with key information will reach out to police.
Bali is described as 5’2 and 115 pounds. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and sometimes wears glasses.
Mounties are continuing to encourage the public to submit tips to police or Crime Stoppers.
