'Our hearts are hurting': Family of missing Manitoba man searching for answers
The family of a Manitoba man who has been missing since October is searching for answers about his disappearance.
Rico Cody Linklater, 22, was last seen on Oct. 21 in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House).
On Wednesday, his family held a news conference with the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) to ask the public for information about his whereabouts, and urge the RCMP to provide increased updates.
“Our son Rico has been missing for over a month,” said Sylvia Wood, Rico’s mother, before breaking down into tears.
Rico’s father, Roger Linklater, said they are in “total shock and disbelief.”
“We’ve always loved our son and we know him as very humble,” he said.
“He is dearly loved by us, his siblings and the entire family.”
Roger added that Rico’s life is the “most important thing in the world right now,” saying that they need answers about his disappearance.
“Our hearts are hurting,” he said,
Wood said the family is frustrated by the lack of updates they’ve received from the RCMP. She said they’ve shared a number of tips with Mounties, but have not received any follow-ups.
The family is now urging police to share more information with them about Rico’s disappearance, and is asking residents of Nisichawayasihk to come forward with anything they know that could help them find Rico.
“Please bring our son home,” Roger said.
In a statement to CTV News, the Manitoba RCMP said the investigation into Rico's disappearance is still 'extremely active.'
"Officers have spoken with dozens of community members and have followed up on numerous tips in relation to this disappearance," Sgt. Paul Manaigre, a media relations officer for the RCMP, said in a statement.
Manaigre said a family liaison for the investigation has been appointed and is in contact with the family, last meeting with them in November.
"We always have to consider what we share in an investigation, even with the family, as we cannot jeopardize the investigation," Manaigre said.
When RCMP initially announced Rico’s disappearance in October, they said he was believed to still be in Nisichawayasihk, though there’s the possibility he may have travelled to Thompson.
Rico is described as six feet tall, 160 pounds, with a slim build, black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on his disappearance can contact 204-484-2837 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. People can also submit secure tips online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Competition bureau finds 'substantial' anti-competitive effects with proposed Bunge-Viterra merger
The proposed merger of agricultural giants Viterra and Bunge is raising competition concerns from the federal government.