The RCMP and the family of a woman missing for 16 years appealed Thursday to the man they believe killed her to tell them where her body is.

Sherri McLaughlin, 20, disappeared Sept. 16, 1993. She was last seen at about 3 a.m. PT riding her bike to her ex-boyfriend's house in Kamloops, B.C.

Her bike, which police say was hit by a car, was found on the side of the road, along with her backpack. McLaughlin herself has never been found.

At a news conference in Kamloops on Thursday, police said they believe McLaughlin was abducted and killed, and they think they know who is responsible.

Police would not reveal the man's name but said he is serving time in the Lower Mainland for unrelated violent sex offences.

"This press conference is, I guess, unlike any other that I've ever participated in because we are not asking for any information," Sgt. Garry Kerr said.

"I know who's responsible. I'm absolutely certain of that. What I do want to do at this time here is to make a personal appeal. The person responsible, you know who you are. If there is a grain of humanity in you, and I know there is, please do the right thing and tell someone."

McLaughlin's family, including her son Stephen, who was only 17 months old when his mother disappeared, appealed to the suspect.

"I really, really want my mom back," Stephen said. "I was only one when she went missing. "Please tell anyone, [it] doesn't matter who it is, just tell somebody."

Kerr, who was an original investigator on the case, said a Crime Stoppers tip led police to impound the vehicle of a known sex offender.

He said paint chips on the car matched Sherri's bike, a plastic deer whistle found at the scene can be tied to the car, and witnesses can place the suspect in Kamloops at the time of her disappearance.

Kerr said there is not enough proof to secure a conviction, but finding McLaughlin's body would bring her family some closure.