By Spencer Sterritt

Community gathering hopes to keep focus on missing teen Makayla Chang

Apr 26, 2017 | 11:19 AM

NANAIMO — A community rally wants to keep hope alive a month after 16-year-old Makayla Chang’s disappearance.

The gathering is on May 2 at John Barsby Secondary School from 4 to 6 p.m. Chang’s grandmother Dolly will speak and the microphone will be available for others wishing to say a few words as well.

According to RCMP, Chang was last seen on Sunday, March 19. A 53-year-old man named Steven Bacon was possibly with her, though he was never listed as a person of interest in the case. RCMP confirmed they spoke to Bacon and the investigation continues. They said foul play may be involved in her disappearance.

Event organizer Brandy McKee, who said she’s a long-time friend of the family, told NanaimoNewsNOW she’s concerned people are forgetting about Chang.

“We don’t see any posters of her anywhere. We don’t want her name forgotten and if she happens to glance at the news, we want her to be able to see that the community loves her and that we’re here and just want her home.”

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Over the past month, Chang’s disappearance created numerous headlines both in the news and on social media, but McKee said they’ve seen awareness diminish as time passes.

“Our hope is we can awaken the community,” she said of the event. “We don’t want her name forgotten and we’re still here waiting for her to come home.”

McKee said the last month has been a whirlwind of anxiety for her, since she herself has two children.

“It’s been restless,” she said. “It’s a big concern. There’s lots going on, on the island.”

When asked for an interview and details on the date marking one month since Chang was last seen, Nanaimo RCMP said investigators felt further media attention would not help their efforts at that time.

Chang is described at 5’1”, 110 lbs. with dyed red hair and hazel eyes. She is reported to often wear wigs and sometimes present as a man.

Anyone with information is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

spencer.sterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit