Barrie police hope for new leads with the launch of Autumn Shaganash billboards
In a first for the Barrie Police Service, investigators are launching nine new electronic and mobile billboards across the city in an attempt to gain information into the whereabouts of Autumn Shaganash.
Five Barrie Transit buses and four electronic billboards will carry a message this month that includes a $50,000 reward for information on her current whereabouts, as announced by Barrie Police on February 8.
Shaganash was reported missing to Barrie Police on June 12, 2023, and was last seen leaving a family member's home on June 9 near Burton Avenue and Franks Way at 11 p.m.
The following day, police say the Indigenous woman texted her sister between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. asking to be picked up, but her phone went straight to voicemail and appeared to be off when her sister called back just three minutes later.
At around 10 a.m., Shaganash was with a male friend near Sunnidale Park, where it was believed she was going to the Barrie Waterfront to watch an air show. That's when she vanished, according to officers.
At the same time, a walk for ALS was taking place in the park.
A mobile billboard asking for information into the whereabouts of missing Autumn Shaganash on April 9, 2024 (Christian D'Avino/CTV News).
Police hope the advertisements will generate new tips that will help to bring her home to her family.
Shaganash's sister, Lili Moore, was in attendance Tuesday during the announcement but declined to speak with media.
"It's been almost eight months since we last saw her, and every day has been difficult," Moore said on February 8 during the announcement of a $50,000 award.
Police are asking anyone with information about her disappearance to contact the Barrie Police Service Major Crime Unit.
Ontario Provincial Police launched a similar initiative with the high-profile investigation into the disappearance of Elnaz Hajtamiri, who was allegedly abducted in Wasaga Beach in January 2022. That case remains unsolved.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Speaker kicks Poilievre out of Commons over unparliamentary comments
Speaker Greg Fergus kicked Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre out of the House of Commons during question period today.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Judge raises threat of jail in hush money trial as he holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
Witness details deadly wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A driver who witnessed a wrong-way police pursuit on Highway 401 moments before a fatal crash said he was hoping the chase would have been called off before lives were lost.