Dutch Canadian webmaster keeps alive the memory of missing women

Police double list to eighteen

PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia – A RCMP probe into a series of missing or murdered women cases in Northern British Columbia has been expanded, doubling the number of files being examined. The oldest added case dates from 1969, the most recent one from last year.

Until now, the focus of these missing or murdered women cases has largely been on the 724-kilometre fairly desolate section of Highway 16, dubbed the Highway of Tears, which connects the interior city of Prince George with coastal Prince Rupert. Now, however, the geographical scope will include other highways throughout the interior of B.C. and Highway 16 up to Hinton, Alberta.

The Highway of Tears official toll of the missing or murdered mostly native women now stands at 18, but could be much higher according to some in the community. Investigators ruled that there are –undisclosed- commonalities between the 18, perhaps pointing to a serial killer or killers who may be looking for hitchhiking women along the highways which lack a regular public transportation system.

Websites

To draw attention to the plight of the missing and murdered women, a website launched two years ago by local Dutch-born entrepreneur and activist Tony Romeyn (67). The website www.HighwaysofTears.ca keeps reminding the public of the missing and murdered women. A seventeen-year veteran with crime victims services in his hometown of Prince George, Romeyn wants to make certain the women are not forgotten. By all indications, much more attention is now being given to the problem.

Since then, there has been much more publicity about disappearing women. There has also been much closer coordination between various levels of government and policing bodies since a symposium was held in June 2006. One year ago, the RCMP announced its probe into the cases. A report on the issue made a series of recommendations which is being spearheaded by a special coordinator whose position is funded by the B.C. provincial government.

Much of Tony Romeyn’s time is spent at the office of his business Industrial Reproductions, now run by a son, looking after his websites and answering email and where necessary, passing along information to authorities.