RCMP: Giving up on Zach Larsen not an option
By Kyra Hoggan
Castlegar RCMP detatchment commander Sgt. Laurel Mathew said she’s received some feedback indicating a public perception that police have given up on the search for 19-year-old Zach Larsen, who disappeared June 6.
She said nothing could be further from the truth. “It varies, but as many as five officers at a time are working this full-time. Every lead that we get, we’re investigating …every name that surfaces, we’re tracking down and interviewing,” she said. “It’s our priority file.” She said the Search and Rescue efforts were called off, not out of lack of interest or will, but rather due to lack of direction, as the entire city was canvassed at some length. She also said that, while RCMP members are trained and in uniform, they’re people, too, who care very deeply about finding the young man. Finally, she said nighttime can be hardest for people imagining a kid out there somewhere, needing help – and she said the Castlegar RCMP detachment doesn’t stop working at sunset …there are members on the case throughout the night as well. “This file will never be put away until he’s found,” she said. Hopefully, a $10,000 reward, posted by Larsen’s family yesterday, for information leading to Larsen’s safe return will bear fruit. Anyone with information is asked to call the RCMP at 250-365-7721.
