Ontario Provincial Police have unveiled a new billboard highlighting the clothing 15-year-old Mélanie Ethier was last seen wearing on Sept. 29, 1996, while leaving a friend’s home in New Liskeard.
“Investigators hope that highlighting the clothing Mélanie was last seen wearing will resonate with members of the public who may remember her,” police said in a news release Tuesday.
“She was last seen in a green Nike jacket, a black belt, black boots, a distinct necklace and possibly blue jeans.”
“We believe there are people who have information about what happened and we encourage them to come forward before it is too late.”
— OPP Insp. Seth Adair
Police said she has not been seen or heard from since that night and foul play is suspected in her disappearance.
“Her disappearance has affected my entire family, including my other daughter, as well as Mélanie’s friends, and I will never stop searching for the truth,” said Céline Ethier, Mélanie’s mother.
Investigators said they’ve received numerous tips, including information placing Mélanie’s last known sighting on the Armstrong Street Bridge between 1:35 a.m. and 1:50 a.m.
OPP’s efforts have included ground, aviation and canine searches, neighbourhood canvassing as well as water searches along the Wabi River from the Armstrong Street Bridge to Lake Temiskaming.
The province continues to offer a $50,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the disappearance of Mélanie Ethier.
