The family of missing woman Claudette Osborne is continuing with its plan to drag the Red River in Winnipeg.
In another case, Edmonton police worked with RCMP, park rangers and fire rescue crews to carry out a sweep of the North Saskatchewan River and uncovered a body there within 15 minutes on Wednesday.
Claudette Osborne’s family believes a search of the Red River in Winnipeg will help the investigation into her July 2008 disappearance.
Last month, the body of missing teen Tina Fontaine was pulled from the Red River.
Osborne’s family is mobilizing volunteers to help drag the river, a process where small boats push narrow metal sheets covered in hooks along the bottom.
"We may find nothing. We may find something. We may find a piece of clothing to take to the police and say, 'Here's your evidence,’” said Rebecca Chartrand, who is volunteering to help in the search.
Claudette Osborne's sister Bernadette Smith has rallied support through a Facebook group, called Drag the Red River.
Chartrand said Winnipeg police won’t drag the river, unless they have hard evidence to do so.
"If we drag the river, that will allow some people to put their mind to rest, somewhat. Maybe we will find some bodies down there and families can put that part of their life to closure and move on,” said Chartrand.
Chartrand said, so far, the group has mapped out plans and talked to elders who have dragged waters in their communities.
They are looking at ways to do it safely, rounding up people to work on the water and provide support on the shoreline.
CTV News asked Winnipeg police whether they would look at what was done in Edmonton and whether they would do the same here. CTV News had not heard back by Thursday afternoon.
- with a report from Daniella Ponticelli
