Shannon White has been missing from Kamloops since Nov. 1
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Facebook
November 10, 2021 - 7:00 AM
Over a week has passed and there is still no sign of missing Kamloops woman Shannon White.
The 32-year-old woman went missing the morning of Nov. 1. She didn't show up for work at the accounting department at Kamloops Hyundai that morning. The next day RCMP found her Jeep TJ on Nicola Street.
White’s friend Hollee Brown is part of a tight circle of friends who continue to search for her.
“We are remaining as positive and hopeful as possible while we do everything we can to bring Shannon home,” Brown said. “Our faith is in the RCMP who are highly skilled individuals. There is a daughter, a niece and a best friend out there. If the tables were reversed, Shannon would never give up looking for one of us.”
READ MORE: Missing Kamloops woman's close friends desperate for answers
Brown said the group of friends have been working tirelessly on spreading awareness of White’s story. They recently started a GoFundMe page for White, to financially support White’s father who is staying in Kamloops, and to look after White’s bills.
“We are focussed on getting Shannon’s face and story spread as far as possible,” Brown said. “We are discussing putting her picture on a billboard and trying to get onto news stations. At this point she could be anywhere.”
Brown said the past week has been full of fear, sadness and prayer among the group. She said Shannon is a very social person with a big laugh who likes to shoot pool and go for drinks with friends.
“Shannon is missed tremendously by so many people,” she said. “Last week was full of emotions and felt like a bad dream. This week it has finally become real. The feeling of powerlessness is one I don’t wish upon anyone.”
Missing Kamloops woman Shannon White with her dog, Buddy.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Facebook
Heather Shtuka is all too familiar with the trauma that results from a loved one going missing after her son Ryan went missing from Sun Peak Mountain Resort almost four years ago.
“I can’t imagine going back to those first days and first hours,” she said. “Years later it is crystal clear, those moments that changed us forever. There were no signs that it was coming. It was a shock.”
Shtuka said there is a constant sense of urgency for families and friends of the missing as every hour passes.
“In our case, because the weather was so bad and temperatures so low our sense of urgency lowered after a few days, when we had to switch our goal from rescue to recovery,” she said. “For Shannon, she is not in that kind of scenario so I think that sense of urgency still goes on for her family and community. My heart really goes out to them.”
Shtuka said while every family going through the trauma of missing a loved one has a unique journey, the feelings and emotions are typically the same.
“There is anger, dread and terror,” she said. “You are left with your law enforcement and you have to rely on them because you don’t have the skill set. You just hope they will do everything they can and be empathetic.”
READ MORE: Friend of missing Kamloops woman Shannon White asks public to check dash cams
Brown said White’s dog Buddy remains in good care with a close friend and is doing well.
“We are all making sure Buddy is OK because we know how important he is to Shannon,” she said. “He is eating well, going for walks and playing. He is going to be missing his mom so we are doing the best we can to provide him lots of love and treats.”
Brown said she is grateful that Heather Shtuka stepped up to share some of her thoughts about a situation one has to personally experience to fully comprehend.
You can find the GoFundMe for Shannon White here.
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