Two sets of signs have gone up in the Comox Valley to mark a looming anniversary.
One set leads to Cumberland and the other leads to Courtenay. Both mark the disappearance of 14-year-old Lindsey Nicholls 30 years ago.
“I think about Lindsey everyday,” said Judy Peterson, Nicholls’ Mother.
Her family says the passage of time doesn’t make their pleas for information any easier.
“My mom and I were just talking about how the first time I did this I was only 11,” said Kim Nicholls, her sister.
Kim Nicholls is now 41.
Back in 1993, the Nicholls had recently moved to the Comox Valley. Lindsey was unhappy about it and had been placed into a temporary foster home.
On Aug 2 of that year, during the long weekend, Nicholls set out from the home in the 3300-block of Royston Road with plans to meet friends at the Filberg Festival in Comox. She was last seen walking towards Royston.
“I believe she was hitchhiking. I believe somebody picked her up and somebody knows who picked her up and where she is and what happened,” said Peterson.
Police suspect foul play and say there have been countless tips over the years and this is not a cold case.
“The investigators that work in this office that have worked on this file, have poured their hearts into investigating every tip that comes in diligently, we’ve got several people in this office that are personally attached to this investigation and want to find closure for the family,” said Const. Monika Terragni of the Comox Valley RCMP.
Lindsey’s mother has continually been searching for answers and in 2018, thanks to her mother’s campaigning, Lindsey’s law went into effect that created a DNA databank for missing people.
Lindsey’s mother says the passage of time may allow those with information the courage to tell police what they know.
“They realize what sort of a tragedy this is and what sort of help they can give, and maybe they don’t know everything but somebody knows something and that something is what we’re looking for,” said Peterson.
Police and Lindsey’s family are hoping the signs in the high visibility locations will finally lead someone to bring that needed piece of information to investigators.
Peterson recently wrote a heartfelt emotional plea on the Missing Children Society of Canada website that can be found here.
Kendall Hanson
