Disappearance of the Jack family: BC RCMP continues to accept tips

Mounties in Prince George say they are still seeking the public’s help to find out what happened to a family that disappeared more than 30 years ago.

This month marks the 35th anniversary of the last time the Jack family was seen. According to Prince George’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Doreen and Ronald, both 26, and their sons Ryan, 4, and Russel, 9, were reported missing in August 1989 when they failed to return to town after driving to a supposed job offer at a logging camp west of Prince George that had been offered to Ronald.

Police say the circumstances of the young family’s disappearance remain largely unknown, despite years of investigation. In 2019, police conducted a three-day search of a Saik’uz First Nation property south of Vanderhoof, using ground-penetrating radar and heavy equipment, but said they found no evidence of the Jacks.

“This is the type of investigation that relies heavily on what we can learn from the public. It’s different to investigations today where we can track people based on their digital footprints,” said Sergeant Aaron Whitehouse, commander of the local Serious Crime Unit, in a press release issued Monday.

“There are no security cameras to review, no bank records to track, and no cell phone records to examine. There is little to give us any clue as to where the Jack family went after they were last seen,” he continued.

Nevertheless, the RCMP says it has its own investigator in the Serious Crimes Unit who is assigned to the case and will follow up on all verifiable tips from the public. “This work involves comparing original files with new tips. Many of the tips received today have already been thoroughly investigated previously,” the press release states.

Police said the investigation will continue until Jack’s family is found and urged anyone with information to call police at 250-561-3300 or leave an anonymous tip with Northern BC Crime Stoppers.