VicPD, along with the Dunahaee family, have released a new composite sketch of Michael Dunahee who disappeared more than 30 years ago in one of BC’s most infamous missing child cases.
On March 24th, 1991, at approximately 12:30 p.m., 4-year-old Michael Dunahee disappeared from the area of the Blanshard School playground, just a short distance away from his family.
An extensive search was launched which involved hundreds of volunteers and police from multiple agencies.
Many families and spectators were in the area at the time for a touch football game, however, to this date, he has not been found.
The age-enhanced sketch of Michael that released on Thursday – the 30th anniversary of Dunahee’s disappearance – was created by BC RCMP forensic sketch artist Cpl. Virginia Bernier, showing Michael as he may appear at 34-years-old.
“We have always kept our hope alive,” said Crystal Dunahee, Michael’s mother.
“It is our hope that this new sketch, which shows what Michael may look like today, as a grown man, will help bring us the answers we need.”
The disappearance and the new sketch
It was thirty years ago that the Dunahees, Canada, and the world reeled at the disappearance of Michael — a four-year-old boy — from a playing field in Victoria.
The age-enhanced sketch was prepared by a BC RCMP forensic sketch artist and is based on extensive work with the Dunahee family and investigators.
The sketch brings together family history, forensic science and artistic skill, and shows what Michael may look like today at age thirty-four.
VicPD says that over the years, they have received 10,000 tips on the case, and they still have an active investigation.
Since Michael’s disappearance, his mother, Crystal Dunahee, has started and is president of Child Find, a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children.
Crystal also worked to develop the Amber Alert system Canadians see today, a system she believed would have helped find Michael.
“It is absolutely heartbreaking to know this family has been searching for their child for three decades. We want to commend the Victoria Police Department for their commitment to finding Michael, and their efforts today to continue the search,” said Lianna McDonald, Executive Director at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, said.
“Michael did not just vanish. Someone somewhere knows what happened to him. It’s been 30 years – it’s time to come forward and share that information and help this hurting family,” said McDonald.
New Tip Portal
The investigation into Michael Dunahee’s disappearance remains one of the largest missing person investigations in Canada. To help gather information, a new Michael Dunahee online tip portal has been launched.
Anyone with information on Michael Dunahee’s disappearance are asked to visit the online portal, or contact VicPD’s dedicated Michael Dunahee Tip Line at 250-995-7444.
