Ryan Shtuka was last seen leaving a house party in Sun Peak in the early morning hours of Feb. 17, 2018 (Image Credit: Contributed)

By Chad Klassen

RYAN SHTUKA

Two years later, Ryan Shtuka’s family says searching for him helps with ‘inner turmoil’ his disappearance brought

Feb 10, 2020 | 3:32 PM

KAMLOOPS — Next Monday marks the two-year anniversary of Ryan Shtuka’s disappearance from a house party in Sun Peaks, a reality that haunts his parents every day.

“We say every day is Groundhog Day. We’ll always remember our life as before and after. Before when our lives seemed whole and imperfectly perfect, and then everything after, and it’s torment,” Ryan’s mother Heather Shtuka told CFJC Today.

It’s why she and Scott Shtuka, Ryan’s father, will never give up looking for their son, whose case remains a mystery two years later.

“For us, the actual searching part is something we can physically do for our son,” said Heather. “It’s not sitting on our hands waiting for a call to come in. It’s something we can actually do. For us, it helps that inner turmoil where you feel like you failed as a parent in some way.”

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The Shtukas were back this past weekend for the event ‘A Run For Ryan,’ which brought 60 people to Sun Peaks.

“It’s humbling,” said Heather of the community support. “Two years later, to have so many engaged, passionate people who are willing to share the story, support us, support Ryan. I think we just feel like we’re never alone.”

Ryan was last seen leaving a house party on Burfield Drive in the early morning hours of Feb. 17, 2018. Since, multiple search teams have scoured the resort for any sign of the young Alberta man — to no avail.

Ryan Shtuka’s parents, Heather and Scott, were in Kamloops on Monday to meet with RCMP officers in charge of the case (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

The couple drove into Kamloops on Monday (Feb. 10) to meet with RCMP officers on his case. While tips keep coming in, they haven’t led to any significant breakthroughs.

“We are still investigating any tips that come in and we still are receiving tips,” said Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Jodi Shelkie. “So we’re asking at this time, if anyone does have any information that they think pertains to the Ryan Shtuka disappearance to contact Kamloops RCMP.”

Heather believes there is a missing puzzle piece that, if uncovered, could break the case open. In the meantime, the couple remains hopeful and won’t stop until the case is solved.