The Port Alberni RCMP is making a plea for information from the public that may help the investigation into the disappearance of Amber Manthorne.
On July 8, 2022 the RCMP received a report that Amber was missing from her Port Alberni home.
The following day, the Ladysmith RCMP received a report of an abandoned vehicle at McGillivray Way and Creekwood Place and discovered Amber’s white 2021 Jeep Compass.
Police believe that Amber had been killed and is not likely to be found alive.
Her boyfriend, Justin Hall, was named as a person of interest by the RCMP, but he was found dead last year in Merritt.
On Wednesday, the RCMP in Port Alberni released a video and photographs, as well as a timeline covering July 7, 2022, and July 8, 2022, in the hope that witnesses may come forward with information.
July 7, 2022 at 3:27 p.m., Amber Manthorne is seen alone on CCTV at Buy Low Foods in Port Alberni. Amber purchases some grocery items and departs in her vehicle;
On July 7, 2022 at 3:35 p.m., a white SUV consistent with Amber’s drives west on Pacific Rim Highway near Tseshaht Market. Amber arrives at her residence around this time;
July 8, 2022 12:22 a.m., Justin Hall, places a call to United Cabs from the Petro Canada on River Road. 22 minutes later, a cab is observed on CCTV near Tseshaht Market, travelling west;
July 8, 2022 at 4:17 a.m., a white SUV consistent with Amber’s is captured on CCTV driving east on Pacific Rim Highway towards Port Alberni;
July 8, 2022 at 04:50 am Ms. Manthorne ’s vehicle enters the Husky fuel station on 3rd Ave, Port Alberni. The vehicle pulls up to the pump, Justin Hall exits the driver’s seat., he enters the store and pays for fuel. Mr. HALL tries to place a suitcase from the backseat into the hatchback of the vehicle but it won’t fit and is returned to the back seat. A tote can be observed in the hatchback of the vehicle; This tote and suitcase have never been recovered;
July 8, 2022 at 7:02 a.m., Amber’s vehicle is observed on CCTV at the McDonald’s Restaurant on Johnston Road where Justin Hall makes a purchase;
July 8, 2022 at 8:00 a.m., Amber fails to show-up for work;
July 8, 2022 at 9:22 a.m., Justin Hall makes a purchase at Walmart in Nanaimo;
July 8, 2022 at 10:26 a.m., Amber’s vehicle is captured on CCTV at the BC Ferries terminal at Duke Point. Justin Hall, the lone occupant, purchases a ferry ticket and proceeds to the line up to await the ferry;
July 8, 2022 at 11:03 a.m., Amber’s vehicle is captured on CCTV leaving the BC Ferry terminal with Justin Hall driving;
July 9, 2022 at 3:08 p.m., Ladysmith RCMP respond to a report and locate Amber’s vehicle abandoned at McGillivray Way and Creekwood Place.
The RCMP believe Amber’s cell phone had a case that could hold credit cards and investigators are interested in anyone who may have located a phone matching this description sometime between July 8, 2022 and now.
The RCMP have posted the video and photographs on their website.
Cst. Beth O’Connor, spokesperson for the Port Alberni RCMP, says if anyone has found a bin similar to the one in the CCTV video, or a cell phone like the one in the photographs, they are urged to call the RCMP immediately.
Amber’s mother, Lorraine Murray, is making a plea to the public to “please help us find Amber and bring her home.”
