A year after a Kaska woman’s disappearance from a rural Yukon community launched one of the largest searches in the territory’s history, police say their leads in the case have dried up and they’re no closer to solving the mystery.
Ramona Peter, 40, was last seen at a general store in the community of Ross River, about a five-hour drive north of Whitehorse, on April 21, 2023. She was reported missing to the RCMP on April 28.
“Our whole family and the whole community just want her home,” said Peter’s aunt Lorraine Sterriah in an interview with APTN News. “I feel hopeful, but, you know, there’s always that little nagging feeling that she’s gone.”
Insp. Kent Langley said Yukon RCMP have invested significant time and resources investigating Peter’s disappearance, including the most extensive air search for a missing person in the territory to date.
“We had some initial leads that we followed up and we did a lot of work on, but things have essentially dried up for the last several months,” he said.
Langley said Peter’s case is still active although new information is needed to move the investigation forward.
“We have exhausted all of the tips and clues that we have come across up to this point,” he said. “All cards are on the table. We haven’t eliminated anything.”
Langley said the investigation will remain open “until there’s a resolution.”
“We haven’t given up,” he added.
‘We have to have hope’
Peter’s disappearance prompted the Ross River Dena Council to declare a state of emergency last May.
Sterriah said Kaska women continue to be at risk and she would like to see a community safety plan implemented in order to provide greater protection.
“We have to keep an eye out. For the people, for the women in the Kaska community,” she said.
A community search and fire ceremony was held in Ross River in April in hope of finding new evidence.
On May 4, an event will be held to thank community members who helped search.
Sterriah said Peter’s family won’t give up until she’s found.
“We have to have that hope to continue with our efforts to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again.”
Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Ramona Peter is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Yukon at 867-667-6715 or email www.crimestoppersyukon.ca.
