Disappearance of Cortney Lake, 24, 'suspicious', RNC says

A search is on for a Newfoundland woman who's been missing for nearly a week and police said Tuesday they believe her disappearance is suspicious.

Cortney Lake, 24, was last seen in St. John's on June 7, and police say they're concerned for her safety. According to police, Lake lives in Mount Pearl but has family connections to the Burin Peninsula.

"We have serious concerns for Lake at this point in this investigation and are urging the public to come forward with any information they may have," the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said in a statement Tuesday.

Video stills obtained from Esso on Elizabeth Avenue in St. John's show Lakehours before she went missing.

There has been no use of her cell phone or social media accounts since Wednesday night, Cst. Geoff Hidgontold media in a briefing Tuesday.

The RNC first asked for public assistance in finding Lake last Friday and said officers are reviewing social media as well as speaking with friends and family.

Police told CBC the Esso station was not the last place Lake was seen, but they could not reveal what that final location was. The RNC are urging people on social media to use thehashtag#HelpFindCortney.

Fundraiser set up

A GoFundMe campaign, set up to aid in the search, had raised $1,140in the five hours after it was set up on Tuesday.

"Family are heartbroken over Cortney's disappearance," said organizers of the campaign.

Lake is described as being 5 feet 8, about 120 lbs with light brown hair. When last seen, she was wearing a grey hoodie, a pink and white plaid shirt and black pants.

According to Lake's Facebook page, she is the mother of a young son.

Lake's family told CBC they're not yet ready to speak about the young woman's disappearance, but urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.