MERRITT, B.C. — Southeast District RCMP are appealing to the public for more help as they continue searching for Merritt-area cowboy Ben Tyner.
Tyner, the ranch manager at Nicola Ranch, was reported missing on January 28.
His riderless horse was found on a logging road off Highway 97 near Winnie Flats.
A large co-ordinated search was carried out in the days after his disappearance, but it was suspended about one week later.
Thursday (Feb. 28), RCMP issued a news release asking for “dashcam or other video footage” from January 26 and 27 in the Merritt area.
Sgt. Janelle Shoihet says it doesn’t matter if the footage seems like it wouldn’t include any clues; investigators still want to look at it.
“We’re looking to find anybody who has any footage that was recorded in and around Merritt that weekend, January 26 and 27. Or even if you have video footage of the 25th that you still are in possession of, we would be interested in taking a look at that,” said Shoihet.
Anyone who has video footage from that time is asked to contact the Southeast District Major Crime Unit (MCU) tip line at 1 (877) 987-8477.
While the Southeast District MCU is still involved in the investigation, Shoihet says there is no indication yet that Tyner’s disappearance is suspicious.
“At this point, they’re still investigating it as a missing person. Mr. Tyner went missing on January 28 and he has not yet been located. At this point, we are just crossing Ts and dotting Is and trying to explore all operational and investigational techniques that we haven’t already,” said Shoihet.
“We’re just following up on some investigative opportunities that we haven’t already explored. So that’s what investigators are working at now. We had not already asked for video footage, so that’s the next step.
