Disappearance of Vernon Otto now being investigated as a homicide: RCMP
RCMP is now investigating the disappearance of a Manitoba man four years ago as a homicide.
Vernon Otto, who was 66 years old at the time of his disappearance, was last seen in Stead, Man., when he met with his family on the morning of May 29, 2018.
Otto said he was going to run errands, do yard work at his home and planned to go look at a crawler tractor.
Officers say he was spoken to later that day at around 1 p.m., and was believed to be working in his field near Stead. RCMP said this was the last confirmed contact anyone had with him.
One day later, his burned pickup truck was found a short distance from his home on Road 94 Northwest of Highway 12. RCMP said the cause of the fire was determined to be arson.
A map provided by Manitoba RCMP show key locations in the investigation into Vernon Otto's disappearance. Police are looking to speak with anyone who had potential business dealing with Vernon regarding the purchase or sale of a crawler tractor or any large construction or farming implement in May of 2018.
Earlier this month, RCMP asked the public for tips and information in connection with Otto’s disappearance. They also distributed information pamphlets in the Stead area looking for information.
“Based on the tips received, in conjunction with evidence gathered over the past four years, RCMP Major Crime Services is now investigating Vernon Otto’s disappearance as a homicide,” a release from RCMP reads.
Investigators are looking to speak with anyone who may have seen or had contact with Otto on May 29, 2018, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Anyone with information can call the RCMP Tip Line at 1-888-673-3316.
- with files from CTV News' Katherine Dow
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.