'We're not prepared to stop': Family of Cortney Lake vows to continue search efforts

Two more weekend searches led by family and volunteers failed to turn up anything in the homicide investigation of Cortney Lake, but relatives of the missing 24-year-old woman are vowing not to give up.

"We're not prepared to stop today, we're not prepared to stop tomorrow … For us, stopping seems incomprehensible," says Glenda Power, who is Lake's aunt and one of the search organizers.

"If we could just find Cortney and be able to say goodbye to her in a manner that befits this beautiful young woman, then I think that would be so helpful to us."

• 'We're just so grateful for them': One month after disappearance, volunteers keep searching for Cortney Lake
• Water and land search conducted in Cortney Lake homicide investigation

Power says Friday's search covered the area near Marine Institute on Ridge Road in St. John's. She said Sunday's efforts, near Cochrane Pond Park, was "massive" and continued for close to six hours. 

Power admitted finding nothing of significance can affect morale, but said she tries to stay positive.

"Our message is ok, we can now take this area off our list, so we're making progress," she told CBC Radio's St. John's Morning Show. 

Power said organizers of the search are taking their direction from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, which in a June 30 media release asked people to review any dash cam footage, especially in and around "Mount Pearl, Outer Ring Road, [the] Galway development or the TCH."

I don't think any of us let our heads go to the worst place possible.- Glenda Power, Cortney Lake's aunt

"We just look at all the secluded wooded areas, make our best guess and go there," Power said.

A search in the Paddy's Pond area in early July, however, did turn up "one item of particular interest," according to Power. 

She can't provide many more details, since the RNC was called to retrieve the item found by a volunteer during the search.

"We know it belonged to Cortney," she said. 

'Brought us to our knees'

Power praised the police for their work on the case to date, and said the family was notified that the case was turning from a missing person to a homicide investigation before the news conference on June 30. 

It's a development family and friends are still trying to grapple with, according to Power.

"That brought us to our knees," she said.

"By that time she had been gone for a few weeks, but I don't think any of us let our heads go to the worst place possible. There's many times when we look at each other and say, 'Can this be our family? Is this really happening to us? Are we never going to see Cortney again?'" Power said, fighting back tears.

But despair continues to be the fuel for action.

Power said those wanting to help can become a search volunteer or organize a search, by going to the group's Facebook page. She is also pleading with people to check any video surveillance from vehicles, homes or businesses — specifically for 7:54 p.m. on June 7, when Lake went missing. 

On June 30, police released video showing Lake getting into a black pickup truck on Michener Avenue in Mount Pearl. The RNC believes she may have been driven to a wooded area.

No one is charged in connection with Lake's disappearance. 

Friday's search area near Ridge Road is not far from where Lake's ex-boyfriend, 25-year-old Philip Steven Smith, lives. Neighbours told CBC News police canvassed the neighbourhood asking if anyone had seen Lake recently and searched properties in the area a couple of weeks ago. Smith is currently in police custody for breaching court orders, and is due to appear in court July 11. 

• Troubled timeline: 30 minutes in court reveal 2 months of conflict between Cortney Lake and Philip Smith
• Cortney Lake disappearance: Police search ex-boyfriend's home, remove items

As for Lake's family, Power said the search to bring her home will go on — another search is planned for Monday at 6 p.m., starting at 1187 Kenmount Road. 

"This is all-consuming. There is no rest, there is no rest whatsoever," she said.

"Her son is six years old. It's hard for me as an adult to comprehend this, so you can only imagine for a little child. He knows that his mommy is gone and is not coming back and is devastated."