Gabby Petito search brings extra attention to Sask. missing persons cases
As Saskatchewan's Missing Persons Week comes to a close, a high profile missing person in the United States is driving conversations around similar cases closer to home.
Gabby Petito, 22, went missing during a trip with her fiancé in Wyoming. The search captured the attention of social media and made headline news in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Dianne BigEagle's daughter Danita went missing from Regina in 2007, she was 22 years old at the time. BigEagle said although her daughter's situation is different from Petito's, increased attention could have made a difference.
"I would've liked a lot of help like that, I wonder if I would've found her. Maybe. Maybe not," BigEagle said.
The FBI found Petito's body on Sunday, bringing her family an opportunity to move forward.
"I’m happy for her family that they found her. I hope they get justice for her, that's all we want, you want justice for your daughter," BigEagle said.
According to data from the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, almost half of the province's 133 long term missing people are Indigenous, despite Indigenous people only making up around 16 per cent of the provincial population in the 2016 census.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron said it will take focused direction and efforts from both police forces and governments to listen to families still missing loved ones.
"Whether they passed away or not, we need closure. Those families need closure. Those families need to heal. It’s a call out, let’s help them do that," Cameron said.
Rhonda Fiddler, the missing persons liason with the Regina Police Service, said social media has become a prominent tool in search efforts and encourages people to help by getting the word out when they can, with one thought in mind.
"Share those posts and be kind with your comments because family members and loved ones are reading them and our words can hurt," Fiddler said.
"You have to think about the families too, doesn't matter what nationality [Petito] was, she's still somebody's family," BigEagle said.
Common assumptions about reporting people missing include that a 24 or 48 hour waiting time exists or that it has to be reported by a family member of the missing. Fiddler emphasizes neither are true.
"There is no wait time, if you’re concerned about your loved one, they’ve been out of contact and that’s out of character for them, definitely make a report," Fiddler said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck
Tesla is recalling 3,878 of its 2024 Cybertrucks after it discovered that the accelerator pedal can become stuck, potentially causing the vehicle to accelerate unintentionally and increase the risk of a crash.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.