Following the disappearance of Ryan Shtuka in Sun Peaks just over two weeks ago, his mother says they’re still keeping up the search efforts.
Heather Shtuka says, the conditions at Sun Peaks are proving difficult.
“The level of snow, and the terrain we have to deal with, it literally is like a needle in a haystack.”
While RCMP and Kamloops Search and Rescue are still following up on tips sent in, Shtuka says, requests have been sent out for different search equipment pieces, along with scent trained dogs, that will be coming for Tuesday night.
She says the amount of community, and even out of province outreach they’ve received is an honour.
“My son has been on this earth for now, 20 years, and to know that he’s made a impact. People don’t come for Scott and I, people are coming because Ryan resonates with them. And that means a lot, because this is a never ending tragedy for us, not quite able to give up hope, and we would never do that, but we can’t quite grieve. We’re in that nether land of emotional despair.”
Shtuka adds, long term, the spring snow melt will make the area easier to search, and they’re hoping people will keep coming out to help find Ryan.