'Worst nightmare': Family of missing Cortney Lake plans vigils, pleads for safe return

The family of Cortney Lake, who was last seen in St. John's on June 7, spoke Thursday about their fears and their plans to hold a series of vigils pleading for her safe return. 

"Our family is living probably the worst nightmare that any family could experience right now, and we are desperate to get Cortney home," Glenda Power, Lake's aunt, told CBC News.

"We love her. We adore her. She is an important part of our family and we can't believe that she's missing."

Lake's family has scheduled three vigils for 8 p.m. Friday. One will be in Mount Pearl, where Lake lives with her mom, one in St. Lawrence, where her father and brother live, and one in Marystown where Lake has several relatives.

"This is a vigil of hope … This is not about an end. This is about continuing the process to bring her home," Power said.

This feels surreal. Our family feels like this can't be us.- Glenda Power, aunt of missing Cortney Lake

The 24-year-old's disappearance is being treated as suspicious by police, something Power said was very difficult for the family to hear.

"[The police] are gravely concerned for her well-being," she said.

"This feels surreal. Our family feels like this can't be us. We're just a normal family with problems and quarrels like all families, but this can't be us. This can't be our Cortney who's missing. It is surreal and it is scary."

While Power said she finds it difficult as Lake's aunt, she feels for her sister, Lake's mom, and Lake's young son.

"I know how hard it is on me as an aunt and my mom as a grandparent, but my sister Lisa is her mom. I can't imagine that level of devastation," Power said.

"[Her son] is only six years old, and I'm sure he doesn't understand, and nor should he, the impact of what's happening. But I know that Cortney loved that little boy with all her heart and he is missing her desperately."

Though they are living a nightmare, Power said the family is touched by the community's support. 

"We feel that support, and that's one of the reasons that our family has organized vigils that will happen tomorrow night."

'Serious concerns' for Lake's safety

Earlier this week, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said it has "serious concerns" for Lake's safety and asked anyone who knew anything about her whereabouts to come forward.

• 'Just no answers': Father of missing woman's son pleads for her return
• Disappearance of Cortney Lake, 24, 'suspicious', RNC says

Lake was seen shopping at Esso on Elizabeth Avenue in St. John's hours before she disappeared and police released video stills from the store surveillance tape. 

She is described as being 5 feet 8, about 120 lbs with light brown hair. When last seen, she was wearing a grey hooded jacket, a pink and white plaid shirt and black pants.

The RNC said Wednesday afternoon there was no new information on the case, but they were conducting ground searches with the Rovers Search and Rescue team at certain locations of interest. 

"To the persons who might have had a hand in her disappearance, I want you to think of your sister, your daughter, your niece, your loved one and what would you do if she was missing," Power said.

"And I am saying to you now: do the right thing. It is not too late to do the right thing. Call the police. Call Crime Stoppers."