Jodi Henrickson is more than a case file and a new YouTube video underlines that fact with a slide show that follows her through 17 years of her life. The video is part of the Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers' efforts to shed light on the disappearance the Squamish teen who was last seen on Bowen Island on June 20, 2009. Three years after her disappearance, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) continues to believe that Jodi met with foul play on the island but there have been no arrests in connection to her disappearance.
Larry Murray, chairman of the Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers, visited Bowen Island last Thursday to put up new posters that urge anyone with information to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email [email protected]. Those who wish to remain anonymous can provide a tip to Crime Stoppers on the web at solvecrime.ca, by phone at 1-800-222-8477 or text: BCTIP and a message to CRIMES (274637).
"We continue to support the efforts of the IHIT in the disappearance of Jodi Henrickson," Murray stated. "And one of the key things that Crime Stoppers guarantees is anonymity. We've heard from people that they believe that some folks here are sitting on information because they don't want to get involved."
Murray has been in contact with the IHIT as well as the Bowen Island RCMP. "They've approved the poster," he said, adding that Crime Stoppers prepared the YouTube presentation (http://bit.ly/Mo9BdA) together with the Henrickson family. "The family is grateful for anything that can be done," Murray said.
Sgt. Jennifer Pound of the IHIT is appreciative of the efforts of Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers in helping to get the word out and says that all information will be looked at diligently. "We need to remind the public of that tragedy and let them know that any information can be helpful. Sometimes people don't come forward because they think what they know is too small and insignificant," Pound says. "But we ask them to bring it forward and have the investigators look at it."
"Whenever [Crime Stoppers] put out a poster and a video, we get good support and tips that change the flow of investigation," Pound said, adding that after the last poster campaign, an abundance of calls came in but the tips have not turned into evidence. "We are asking that the public come forward with information that can bring whoever is responsible for Jodi's disappearance to justice," she said. "That hasn't happened to date."
It is not unusual to have a breakthrough in an investigation at a later date, according to Pound. "When you're talking about a missing person's case where foul play is suspected, the investigation can be quite lengthy," she said. "For Jodi to be missing for three years is excruciating for the family but from the perspective of an investigator, that is not unusual." Pound said that investigations often take different turns. "Different avenues are bound to open up," she said. "We are hopeful and we also realize that the public plays an instrumental role in moving the investigation forward."
In addition to Bowen Island, the Crime Stoppers posters are displayed on BC Ferries, in Horseshoe Bay and in Squamish and a reward of $2,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest or charge. To visit the "Let's find Jodi Henrickson" Facebook page, go to http://on.fb.me/Ky4kkD.
"All crimes are important to Crime Stoppers but crimes of this nature are especially important to the work we do in helping to keep communities safe," Murray said. "We do the legwork but then the community kicks in." Murray added that he was impressed by the keen interest on Bowen Island to solve this case.
