Massive search for Cortney Lake comes up empty-handed
Police received new information on missing woman, but no evidence surfaced during two-day search at Bellevue
After two days scouring an abandoned farm in Bellevue, police and searchers did not find Cortney Lake or any evidence relating to her disappearance.
Five search and rescue teams with 122 people fanned out into the fields of Smallwood Farm, looking for any clues about the 24-year-old mother's suspected homicide.
In the end, the search turned up nothing.
"I know a lot of the province are looking for answers and waiting for answers on this," said Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Sgt. Paul Didham. "We are too, so if anybody has any more information out there that can assist us on this file, please give us a call."
This. Our family waits, stomachs in knots, hearts hurting. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the searchers who are on the ground looking <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForCortney?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForCortney</a>💜 To those who have withheld info, your callous disregard for our suffering is unfathomable. I pray you relent. <a href="https://t.co/Cw41RGBYER">https://t.co/Cw41RGBYER</a>
—@ga3powerLake's aunt, Glenda Power, said the family was waiting, "stomach in knots," for the search to conclude.
In the waning daylight hours, Didham told reporters they had covered off the entire area, believed to be around 100 acres in total.
If anything turned up before the end of the day, searchers would be back on Sunday, he said. But that doesn't appear to be the case.
Search teams not giving up yet
Search co-ordinator Harry Blackmore said if the RNC need his men and women again, they'll be back — but the impending winter may hamper future search efforts.
"If they call, we go," he said. "But if we're out here looking for evidence on the ground, and the snow has covered it, it's a waste of time for us to try to do it."
104 searchers here right now looking for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CortneyLake?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CortneyLake</a>. More expected. Police say the rain will not hamper their efforts. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcnl?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cbcnl</a> <a href="https://t.co/yxuPgIA24v">pic.twitter.com/yxuPgIA24v</a>
—@ryancookeNLThe crews spent about five days planning the search of the farm property, which included fields, forests and buildings.
"This is methodical, the way these searches are done," Didham said. "[These searchers] are highly trained. They're experienced. They're the best in the field at what they're doing.
"Every step that they take and every piece of earth that they move is done methodically. It's done piece by piece, which is a reason why it's taken two days to do this area."
More searches alongside the roadway leading up to the farm. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcnl?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cbcnl</a> <a href="https://t.co/ycbAIUkq6T">pic.twitter.com/ycbAIUkq6T</a>
—@ryancookeNLThe search was the result of new information obtained by police, but the RNC has not divulged what the tip was.
The farm was last used in 2014, but now sits empty atop a vista of Bellevue beach.
Didham praised the people who helped search Friday and Saturday.
"It's a lot of people. It's a lot of commitment, and we really appreciate it and I'm sure the family appreciates it as well."