THUNDER BAY --Two years after Alyssa Turnbull was first reported missing, police have confirmed what many long suspected, saying they suspect foul play in her disappearance.
The Ontario Provincial Police made the announcement in a statement Wednesday, saying their investigation continues.
Thursday, April 14 will mark two years since Turnbull, originally from South Gillies, was first reported missing.
She was last seen in Nipigon, where she was residing, between March 23 and 25, 2020. She was 26 at the time.
In an interview, her parents Debra Otway and Kevin Turnbull said they’re still grieving.
“Life without Alyssa has been unbearable,” said Otway. “The days have turned into weeks, into months, and now years – two years without her. She’s deeply missed by her family, her friends, her siblings.”
“She deserves to live, laugh, grow, have fun, sing, dance with her friends, watch her siblings grow up – just live life.”
Otway and Turnbull renewed their appeal for anyone with information about their daughter’s disappearance to come forward, saying the lack of closure continues to take a toll on the family.
“We’re plagued with worry, unanswered questions,” said Otway. “It’s very hard to move forward in our lives without her, and not knowing where she is, it’s truly a parent’s absolute worst nightmare that we live every day.”
“We’re just pleading with anybody, somebody to please come forward and tell us something. We just want to bring her home and find some peace in our lives, if that’s even possible anymore.”
Turnbull remains sure there are people who know more about what happened to Alyssa.
“For myself, I’m beyond hurt, I’m angry – very angry,” he said. “I know there’s people out there that know where Alyssa is. They’ve taken away our closure, they’ve taken away her life.”
“I don’t know how they sleep at night.”
Police have shared limited details about the investigation into Turnbull’s disappearance, which has involved interviews with dozens of people and the collection of several pieces of evidence, according to the OPP.
Police stormed Nipigon in April of 2020, and have since conducted extensive searches in the small community about 100 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.
In 2021, the OPP announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for Turnbull’s disappearance or information resulting in locating her, which they said resulted in numerous tips.
The OPP said last year that foul play could not be ruled out in Turnbull’s disappearance, but Wednesday’s statement marked the first time police have confirmed it was suspected in the case.
Turnbull is described as standing five-foot-three, weighing about 100 pounds, with shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes
Any person with information regarding this investigation should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or their local police service.
With files from Leigh Nunan, TBT News.
