The family of Michael Dunahee, the boy who went missing at a Victoria playground 26 years ago, is marking the solemn anniversary of his disappearance.
The Dunahee family held a special mass at Our Lady of Peace church in Esquimalt on Friday in honour of Michael, who was four years old when he went missing at Blanshard Elementary School on the afternoon of March 24, 1991.
His disappearance sparked one of the highest-profile missing persons investigations in Canada, one that continues to this day.
Michael’s mother Crystal Dunahee says her family is still searching for answers as tips continue to come in about her son’s case.
“The amount of messages that we get and people that want to come out and support us just continues to grow, and it shows us that people are with us as well, as we continue to keep the hope alive,” she said. “It’s heartwarming to know that the communities from here and up and down the island and around B.C., around the world, are familiar with Michael’s case and are behind us one hundred per cent.”
There have been a number of leads in the case over the years, but none of them have helped investigators pinpoint how the four-year-old vanished without a trace.
Victoria police say they still have officers committed to the case.
"We continue to receive tips through our dedicated tip line," said Victoria Police's Det.-Const. Chantal Ziegler. “We still hope to receive the one tip we need to bring this investigation to a close.”
The annual Michael Dunahee Keep the Hope Alive five-kilometre run, which benefits the non-profit organization Child Find BC, will be held Sunday at 10 a.m., starting at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre.
Police continue to ask anyone with information on Michael's disapperance to call their dedicated tip line at 250-995-7444 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
