RCMP want help in Amber McFarland homicide case

Manitoba RCMP have issued a plea for help in solving the six-year-old missing persons case of Amber McFarland.

ThePortage la Prairie woman was last seen during the early morning of Oct. 18, 2008. Surveillance video shows her with two men inside a hotel beer vendor in that city.Her empty car was found inthe parking lot.

Constable David Portelance saideven the smallest detail from the public could make a difference and help bring closure to McFarland's family.

Sometimes people will think they know something and assume RCMP already knows it, and [they] don't bother calling us," said Portelance. "But sometimes a little thing that you think is very small can be the big thing to push forward an investigation.

McFarland, who was24 when she disappeared, is described asfive feet and seven inchestall with blonde hair and a slender build.

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On the anniversary of her disappearance, the RCMP are renewing its appeal for help.

This case is still very much under investigation. We are following up tips at this moment and are asking for any other help that the public can provide to assist us in bringing Amber back to her family," RCMP Sgt. DanBarnabe said.

Two people were arrested in 2009, including her boyfriend, who wasone of the men in the surveillance video with her.

RCMP had initially searched the boyfriend's residence in the fall of 2008, thennew evidence prompted them to return and dig up his backyard.But both men arrested were later released without being charged.

Despite not finding McFarland, RCMP in 2009 declared the case to be ahomicide, but they never revealed what prompted that decision.

Several important questions remain unanswered and the RCMP Historical Case Unit is not giving up, he added.

"What Ambers family has endured is unimaginable, and we will continue to aggressively investigate this matter as a homicide. We have set up a tip line and would ask that the public to call204-984-6447, stated a news release from the RCMP.

If you heard, saw or know anything relating to the disappearance of Amber McFarland on Oct.18, 2008, contact the RCMP at 204-984-6447oranonymously to Crime Stoppers at1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or by texting"TIPMAN" plus your messagetoCRIMES(274637).