Unsolved Case Files by Cameron

Last seen walking on Beach Avenue

File Number: 104200205

Peachland, B.C. - Thomas Matson, who was staying in Peachland, BC temporarily while enroute from Calgary to Vancouver, was last seen on May 15, 1999 walking on Beach Avenue in Peachland, BC.

Matson was reported missing to West Kelowna RCMP on March 28, 2000. Despite an extensive police investigation, there has been no sign of Thomas since he disappeared.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact West Kelowna RCMP at (250) 768-2880.

VANISHED WITHOUT A TRACE

File Number: 104200126

Kamloops, British Columbia: The Mounties are re-examining a missing-person case in British Columbia that dates back half a century, hoping renewed publicity might spark an old memory that could explain what happened to a 21-month-old toddler who vanished without a trace -- or possibly prompt the missing girl herself, if she is still alive, to come forward.

Edna Bette-Jean Masters disappeared on July 3, 1960, as she was playing at a friend's house in the Red Lake area, west of Kamloops in B.C.'s Interior.

Her disappearance prompted a massive search, but police and search-and-rescue personnel were unable to turn up any sign of her.

Now, investigators plan to use new technology, such as DNA examination and software that digitally ages photographs, in an effort to generate new leads in the case.

In 2013, the case was re-opened by B.C. RCMP after 50 years. Cpl. Cheryl Bush pointed out there has never been any evidence to suggest the girl is dead, raising the possibility Masters, who today would be 62 years old, is out there somewhere.

"There is a possibility that this person is still alive. There was never any evidence found to the contrary," Bush said in 2013.

"If that's the case, then maybe this will spark somebody to ask some questions that they always wondered about their past."

Masters, who was referred to by her middle name, Bette-Jean, was last seen playing with family and friends at a friend's residence.

The young girl, who had curly blonde hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion, was wearing a green bonnet, a pink T-shirt and faded overalls at the time. She had an oval-shaped burn scar on her left arm, which investigators believe would still be there today.

When Masters was reported missing, the surrounding area was searched extensively. RCMP officers used an airplane and a police dog and enlisted the help of volunteers, but they were unable to turn up any trace of Masters.

One of the only leads was a sighting of an unfamiliar 1959 Chevrolet car with Alberta plates that was seen nearby with a man and woman in their late 20s. The car had either "cat eye" or "bat wing" tail lights, the RCMP said.

Investigators have never been able to determine the identities of the couple or whether they were connected to Masters' disappearance.

Masters' mother and two siblings are still alive and still wondering what happened to the young girl, said Bush.

Bush said police hope the attention to the case might prompt someone to remember a detail that could be related, no matter how seemingly insignificant, and contact police.

She said such reviews are routine in historic missing-person cases.

"It's part of our standard practice to review these files, just like any other RCMP detachment in the province, particularly for historical cases that were investigated prior to new technology or investigative techniques," she said.

Bush did not have any details about what specifically the review will involve or how long it might take.

Anyone with information on Bette-Jean's disappearance, no matter how minor the detail, is asked to come forward and contact the rural RCMP at 250-314-1800. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

BODY FOUND IN A ROOF WATER TANK

File Number: 104200146

In 2013, a Canadian student, a Canadian student at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, went missing while traveling in California. She was traveling alone and had scheduled to check out of her hotel on Jan. 31, but once the front desk didn't hear from her, they called the police.

After about a week of searching, the police released a disturbing video that showed Elisa's last known sighting. In the footage, Lam is seen exiting and re-entering the elevator, talking and gesturing in the hallway outside, and sometimes seeming to hide within the elevator, which itself appears to be malfunctioning. The elevator surveillance footage showed Elisa acting strangely, and as the video went viral, many people had several theories for her behavior, from mental illness to paranormal forces.

Maintenance workers at the hotel discovered the body from a water tank atop the Cecil Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles on February 19, 2013 when investigating guest complaints of problems with the water supply. Guests at the hotel also started complaining about "black" and foul-smelling water. Investigators said the cause of death was drowning.



The circumstances of Lam's death, once she was found, also raised questions, especially in light of the Cecil Hotel's history in relation to other notable deaths and murders. Her body was naked with most of her clothes and personal effects floating in the water near her. It took the Los Angeles County Coroner's office four months, after repeated delays, to release the autopsy report, which reports no evidence of physical trauma and states that the manner of death was accidental.

Guests at the Cecil, now re-branded as Stay on Main, sued the hotel over the incident, and Lam's parents filed a separate suit later that year; the latter was dismissed in 2015.

As for why or how Elisa got into the water tank remains a mystery.

Last seen in Whitehorse

File Number: 104200222

Tyler Bowe was last seen in his hometown of Whitehorse, Yukon, on April 30, 1983. Despite a large search, he was never located. Investigators consider his case closed but he remains missing.

Missing Since: April 30, 1983

Location Last Seen: Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada

Physical Description

Date of Birth: October 9, 1968

Race: First Nations

Gender: Male

Height: 143 cm (4'8")

Weight: 50 kg (110 lbs.)

Distinguishing Marks/Features: Slightly bowlegged.

Identifiers

Dentals: Unknown.

Fingerprints: Unknown.

DNA: Unknown.

Clothing & Personal Items

Clothing: Possibly a red and blue jacket.

Investigating Agency(s)

Agency Name: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Agency Contact Person: OPP MPUB

Agency Phone Number: 403-667-5551

Agency Case Number: 124-S

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Tyner Was Last Seen January 26, 2019

File Number: 104200187

Nicola Valley, British Columbia - It has been just over two years since Ben Tyner's disappearance in the Nicola Valley.

The Wyoming cowboy, who was working as manager of Nicola Ranch, was last seen Jan. 26, 2019, and reported missing on Jan. 28 when his rider-less horse was found in the backcountry of Swakum Mountain.

It's believed the man may have set off to the nearby foothills of the Nicola Valley, searching for cattle. While his absence was not initially thought to be suspicious, major crime detectives were brought in two months later.

Following his disappearance an intense search consisting of RCMP, more than a dozen search and rescue teams, air services, police dogs, drones and volunteers on snowmobiles, horseback and in vehicles and helicopters took place. Searches were eventually called off for poor weather and freezing temperatures, and yielded few clues.

Two years after Tyner rode off, his family is still wondering what happened.

Last month, on the anniversary of Tyner's disappearance, his parents issued a public plea for information. Their plea came in the form of a video, which was recorded and passed on with help from the FBI.

The Tyners live in the U.S. and could not come to B.C. due to COVID-19 border restrictions.

Sitting in what appeared to be their living room, Jennifer and Richard Tyner spoke to those who may know more.

"The last two years have been filled with horrendous heartache, continued hope and many, many prayers," Richard read.

His parents, sitting next to his brother, Jack, said their son's friends have stayed in touch, and there are constant reminders of him around their farm.

"Ben was not just a cowboy, he was a voracious reader. He loved to experience new places and cultures," his father said.

Tyner's parents described him as a team player and a gentle giant.

"It should get people talking about it again, regardless if it's for good or bad" Swayze said.

Anyone with any information is urged to call their local RCMP, the Southeast District Major Crime Unit Tip Line at 1-877-987-8477 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).