Police seek public assistance as search for Amber Manthorne continues

Port Alberni, Ladysmith, Nanaimo

2024-10-16 11:34 PDT

File # 2022-6674

The Port Alberni RCMP are issuing a plea to the public for information that would assist in locating Amber Manthorne.

On July 8, 2022 at 7:30 p.m., the Port Alberni RCMP received a report that Amber Manthorne was missing from her residence on Central Lake Road in Port Alberni. Despite numerous investigative efforts, along with appeals to the public for information, Amber has not been located.

Police believe that Amber’s disappearance was as a result of foul play and that she is not likely to be found alive.

Amber’s boyfriend, Justin Hall, is considered a person of interest in her disappearance however he was located deceased last year in Merritt, B.C., which has limited our access to possible answers. His identity, status and relationship with Amber is being released in an effort to advance the investigation.

The investigation has established some of the key movements of Amber’s vehicle, a White 2021 Jeep Compass, around the time of her disappearance. Specifically, investigators are releasing the following time line in hopes witnesses may come forward with relevant information:

• July 7, 2022 at 3:27 p.m., Amber Manthorne is seen alone on CCTV at Buy Low Foods in Port Alberni. Amber purchases some grocery items and departs in her vehicle;
   
• On July 7, 2022 at 3:35 p.m., a white SUV consistent with Amber’s drives west on Pacific Rim Highway near Tseshaht Market. Amber arrives at her residence around this time;
   
• July 8, 2022 12:22 a.m., Justin Hall, places a call to United Cabs from the Petro Canada on River Road. 22 minutes later, a cab is observed on CCTV near Tseshaht Market, travelling west;
   
• July 8, 2022 at 4:17 a.m., a white SUV consistent with Amber’s is captured on CCTV driving east on Pacific Rim Highway towards Port Alberni;
   
• July 8, 2022 at 04:50 am Ms. Manthorne ’s vehicle enters the Husky fuel station on 3rd Ave, Port Alberni. The vehicle pulls up to the pump, Justin Hall exits the driver’s seat., he enters the store and pays for fuel. Mr. HALL tries to place a suitcase from the backseat into the hatchback of the vehicle but it won’t fit and is returned to the back seat. A tote can be observed in the hatchback of the vehicle; This tote and suitcase have never been recovered;

• July 8, 2022 at 7:02 a.m., Amber’s vehicle is observed on CCTV at the McDonald’s Restaurant on Johnston Road where Justin Hall makes a purchase;
   
• July 8, 2022 at 8:00 a.m., Amber fails to show-up for work;
   
• July 8, 2022 at 9:22 a.m., Justin Hall makes a purchase at Walmart in Nanaimo;
   
• July 8, 2022 at 10:26 a.m., Amber’s vehicle is captured on CCTV at the BC Ferries terminal at Duke Point. Justin Hall, the lone occupant, purchases a ferry ticket and proceeds to the line up to await the ferry;
   
• July 8, 2022 at 11:03 a.m., Amber’s vehicle is captured on CCTV leaving the BC Ferry terminal with Justin Hall driving;
   
• July 9, 2022 at 3:08 p.m., Ladysmith RCMP respond to a report and locate Amber’s vehicle abandoned at McGillivray Way and Creekwood Place.

Additionally, Amber’s cell phone appeared to have a case capable of carrying credit card(s) on the outer shell. As this cell phone has yet to be recovered, police are interested in anyone who may have located a phone matching this description sometime between July 8, 2022 and now.

The investigation remained active from the onset with evolving details that investigators needed to assess, manage and explore. If anyone has located, or locates, a bin similar to the one in the CCTV, or a cell phone similar to the one in the photographs, they are urged to call us immediately, says Cst. Beth O’Connor, spokesperson for the Port Alberni RCMP. We will keep searching until she’s found but we need your help to bring Amber home to her family.

Please help us find Amber and bring her home adds Amber’s mother, Lorraine Murray.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Amber Manthorne, or anyone who may know what happened to her, is asked to report this to their local police. Or, you can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Released by:

Cst. Beth O'Connor
Media Relations Officer
Port Alberni RCMP
4444 Morton St, Port Alberni BC, V9Y 4M8
Office: 250-723-2424
Email: elizabeth.oconnor@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Follow Us: