RCMP say disappearance of cowboy 'may involve criminality'

The case of a rancher who has been missing in British Columbia since January is being treated as a suspicious disappearance by the RCMP.

Sgt. Janelle Shoihet says members of the Southeast District Major Crime Unit have reviewed the evidence that has been collected since Ben Tyner went missing and have determined the case may involve criminal activity.

Tyner, who is 32, was the manager of the Nicola Ranch, about 300 kilometres northeast of Vancouverand was last seen on Jan. 26 as he rode out on horseback, possibly to search for cattle in the surrounding hills.

He was reported missing two days later when his saddled horse was found wandering on a logging road off Highway 97 northwest of Merritt.

An extensive search that included RCMP and volunteers on foot and horseback, as well as in helicopters, vehicles and snowmobiles, found no trace of Tyner.

Shoihet says early on investigators requested assistance from major crime detectivesbut until this week police had said there was no indication of foul play.