Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Wikimedia Commons and B.C. RCMP
October 27, 2023 - 7:15 AM
The Shtuka family has announced an increase in reward money for any information leading to the recovery of their son Ryan who disappeared from Sun Peaks Mountain resort more than five years ago.
Recently friends of the Shtuka family — who want to remain anonymous — reached out with funds to increase the reward amount from $15,000 to $25,000.
"For them it was a way to continue to help, it was important to them to do this," Heather said. "We went back and forth on this but with nearly 20,000 new members (on Ryan's Facebook page) the timing felt right to highlight the efforts to bring Ryan home."
Ryan was 20 years old when he was last seen leaving a residence on Burfield Drive at Sun Peaks Mountain Resort on February 17, 2018, and the family has never given up their search for answers.
Up until now Ryan's parents Heather and Scott resisted increasing the reward money based on advice from advice and statistics from experts in Crime Stoppers and law enforcement.
"We have received many offers from strangers asking to donate or fundraise to increase the amount and although incredibly grateful, we felt there were other ways people could contribute to Ryan’s story without giving monetarily," said Ryan's mom Heather. "It is incredibly humbling to have to ask someone to donate money especially in these uncertain times."
A community of almost 53,000 members continues to grow on a Facebook page dedicated to Ryan, where people share his story, post photos of the toy dinosaurs that have become Ryan's symbol, and spread awareness of his disappearance. As more time goes by without answers, the community support is increasingly important to Heather.
"In circumstances such as these, it is easy to feel alone," she said. "As more time goes by, people move on with life and you feel like you are the only one that hasn’t and can’t. The support from this community continues to amaze me. On the days that I don’t feel like I can take one more step, this beautiful and supportive community is right behind me willing to hold me up. Imagine if the whole world could feel that?"
Anyone with information regarding Ryan Shtuka’s disappearance is asked to contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
More information can be found on the Shtuka’s website here along with a documentary, books about Ryan and an option to donate.
Find past stories on Ryan Shtuka here.
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