Evidence collected near where teen last seen
Searches believed to be tied to disappearance of Hilary Bonnell
Last Updated: Thursday, November 5, 2009 | 10:12 AM AT
CBC News
RCMP officers are searching two properties in northeastern New Brunswick. The investigation is believed to be linked to the disappearance of Hilary Bonnell. (CBC) Police have wrapped up a three-day search of a home and property on the Eskinuopitijk First Nation, but are continuing another search in a nearby community, believed to be tied to the two-month-old disappearance of a local teen.
RCMP aren't releasing many details about the searches, but they are believed to be connected to the case of Hilary Bonnell, 16, who was last seen on Sept. 5 walking along Highway 11 in Eskinuopitijk, commonly known as Burnt Church.
Police gathered some evidence at the Eskinuopitijk property, which will be sent to various labs to be processed, said Insp. Roch Fortin.
Investigators are now focusing on the second property in the nearby community of Tabusintac, he said late Thursday.
"The technician will be on place and will work on the location, once again looking for evidence or any information that can help us out with this major investigation," Fortin said, declining to elaborate.
The Tabusintac search could take several days, he said.
"It's a fairly large property, over 80 acres, and also a garage."
Both properties are both owned by Hilary's uncle and local band councillor, Christopher Bonnell, according to the girl's mother, Pam Fillier.
"This is a puzzle. And just like any puzzle you got to put the pieces together before you see what the puzzle looks like," Fillier said Wednesday, as she stood in the parking lot of a convenience store where her daughter was last seen and watched officers, some of them wearing protective gear, search the property two doors down.
"And that's what we're trying to do. And we're not going to stop until we get my daughter back," she said.
No arrests
The extensive RCMP search of the properties is stretching into its third day. (CBC)At a news conference on Wednesday, Fortin said that police had warrants to search both of the properties.
"We're looking for evidence concerning a Criminal Code investigation," he said.
Fortin said the properties are linked and that both are connected to the investigation.
Fortin said so far no arrests have been made.
The RCMP are using every resource available in the search, he said.
"We have a very large number of police officers coming from all [over] the Atlantic region supporting this major operation," he said.
"We have individuals from Halifax and P.E.I., New Brunswick and officers from all over the province assisting the police in the Acadian Peninsula and the community of Burnt Church in this major investigation."
Fillier is confident in what the police are doing but said she will continue her own search for her daughter.
