VicPD have released an new age-enhanced photo of Michael Dunahee, who was just 4 years old when he disappeared 30 years ago today.
At about 12:30 pm on March 24, 1991 Michael vanished from the area of the Blanshard School playground where he was playing just a short distance from where family and spectators at a touch football game.
An extensive search involving hundreds of volunteers and police agencies failed to find him.
The age-enhanced sketch of Michael, created by BC RCMP forensic sketch artist Cpl. Virginia Bernier, show what Michael could look like at age 34.
Bernier also worked with the family and VicPD Detective Sgt. Michelle Robertson to create the image.
Robertson says "We remain committed to solving Michael’s disappearance. Someone out there knows what happened to Michael that day 30 years ago and where Michael is today. We need to hear from that person.”
VicPD continues to partner with agencies including the Canadian Centre for Child Protection in the search for Michael and to help protect children everywhere.
Michael's mother, Crystal Dunahee says "We have always kept our hope alive. It is our hope that this new sketch, which shows what Michael may look like today, as a grown man, will help bring us the answers we need.”
Lianna McDonald, Executive Director at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, adds "It is absolutely heart-breaking to know this family has been searching for their child for three decades. We want to commend the Victoria Police Department for their commitment to finding Michael, and their efforts today to continue the search. Michael did not just vanish. Someone somewhere knows what happened to him. It’s been 30 years – it’s time to come forward and share that information and help this hurting family.”
The investigation into Michael's disappearance remains one of the largest missing person investigations in Canada.
Michael’s family has turned their tragedy into a grassroots effort to protect other families. The annual Michael Dunahee ‘Keep The Hope Alive’ Run has been a fixture in our community for 30 years. Each year, families run and walk both to mark Michael’s disappearance and highlight the on-going search, but all monies raised go to Child Find BC.
To help gather information in the hopes of finally solving the case a new online tip portal is being launched at: https://vicpd.ca/michaeldunaheetips/
There is also a dedicated Michael Dunahee Tip Line at 250-995-7444.