The cold autumn rain hadn’t stopped for three days when I arrived in Nanaimo last week. The Vancouver Island city, usually bustling with tourists even in the shoulder season, felt subdued. Downtown shop owners I spoke with weren’t just concerned about the weather keeping visitors away – they were worried about something far more troubling.
“Everyone’s talking about it,” said Marie Doucette, who runs a small bakery near the harbor. “We’re a tight community. When someone goes missing, it affects us all.”
The disappearance of 26-year-old Amber Johnson has gripped this coastal community since she was last seen on September 17. What began as a missing person report has now taken a darker turn, with RCMP officially classifying her disappearance as “highly suspicious.”
According to RCMP Constable Gary O’Brien, who briefed media yesterday at the Nanaimo detachment, the investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting foul play. “After examining Ms. Johnson’s digital footprint, speaking with family and associates, and considering the abrupt nature of her disappearance, we have reason to believe this case involves suspicious circumstances,” O’Brien stated.
Johnson, a dental hygienist who moved to Nanaimo from Kelowna two years ago, was reported missing when she failed to show up for her shift at Harbour City Dental Clinic. Her roommate became concerned after not hearing from Johnson for 24 hours – something completely out of character, according to those close to her.
“She’s reliable to a fault,” said Dr. Eleanor Wright, who employs Johnson at the clinic. “Amber would text if she was going to be five minutes late. For her to simply not show up? Impossible.“
The investigation took a concerning turn when officers located Johnson’s silver 2019 Honda Civic abandoned at Pipers Lagoon Park, a popular hiking area on the city’s north end. Her purse, containing her wallet and identification, was found inside the vehicle.
RCMP’s Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has now joined local officers in the search. Their involvement signals the seriousness with which authorities are treating Johnson’s disappearance.
“We’ve deployed significant resources to this investigation,” said Sergeant Kyle Matthews of the Major Crime Unit during yesterday’s press conference. “Our team is conducting extensive interviews and following several promising leads.”
What’s particularly troubling investigators is the complete cessation of Johnson’s digital presence. Her phone has not been used since the evening of September 16th, and there has been no activity on her social media accounts or banking records.
According to Statistics Canada data, approximately 70,000 people are reported missing in Canada each year. While the vast majority are found within days, cases like Johnson’s that involve suspicious circumstances present particular challenges for investigators.
The community has rallied around the search efforts. Over the weekend, more than 200 volunteers combed through trails and parks across the city. Local businesses have displayed posters with Johnson’s image, and a Facebook group dedicated to sharing information about her disappearance has gathered over 5,000 members in just a week.
“We’re not giving up hope,” said Rachel Martinez, Johnson’s cousin who flew in from Calgary to assist with search efforts. “Amber is loved by so many people. Someone must have seen something.”
The city council addressed the situation during their Tuesday meeting, pledging additional resources to support the RCMP investigation. Mayor Leonard Krog expressed the community’s collective concern. “Our hearts go out to Amber’s family during this unimaginably difficult time,” Krog said. “The city will do everything in its power to assist the RCMP in their search.”
Criminal psychologist Dr. Heather Morrison, who has consulted on similar cases with the RCMP, explained why the first 72 hours are critical in missing persons investigations. “Physical evidence degrades, memories become less reliable, and if there is a perpetrator involved, they have more time to cover their tracks,” Morrison told me by phone.
While authorities haven’t explicitly stated they’re investigating a potential abduction, their actions suggest they’re considering all possibilities. Surveillance footage from businesses near Johnson’s apartment and the park where her car was found is being meticulously reviewed.
Johnson’s disappearance has prompted many Nanaimo residents to reconsider their personal safety routines. Local self-defense classes have seen increased registration, and community forums are discussing improved lighting in parks and public spaces.
“It’s sad that it takes something like this to make us think about safety,” said Tom Richards, who lives near Pipers Lagoon. “This is supposed to be a safe community.”
The case has similarities to other missing persons investigations that eventually revealed criminal activity. Former RCMP investigator Martin Kohler, who now works as a security consultant in Victoria, notes that the presence of the victim’s vehicle and personal belongings often indicates something beyond a voluntary disappearance.
“When someone intends to disappear, they typically take essentials – identification, money, transportation,” Kohler explained. “Finding these items abandoned suggests either a medical emergency or, unfortunately, something more sinister.”
As the search continues into its second week, Johnson’s family has announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts. They’ve also established a 24-hour tip line separate from the official RCMP channels.
“We just want Amber home,” her father, Robert Johnson, said during an emotional press conference. “If anyone knows anything, please come forward. No detail is too small.”
For a community already grappling with rising property crime rates, Johnson’s disappearance has intensified calls for increased police presence in Nanaimo’s parks and public spaces. The city has promised to fast-track planned security improvements, including additional lighting and emergency call boxes in remote areas.
As darkness fell yesterday, volunteers gathered for a candlelight vigil at Maffeo Sutton Park. The rain had finally stopped, and the flickering lights reflected off the harbor waters. There was determination in their voices as they shared stories about Johnson and planned the next day’s search efforts.
In these moments of community solidarity, you can feel both the heartbreak and the hope that define such situations. For now, a city waits, searches, and prays for answers.
