Amber Manthorne was reported missing in early July 2022, with Mounties providing an update regarding their investigation on Wednesday. (submitted photos)

By Ian Holmes

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Oct 16, 2024 | 2:08 PM

PORT ALBERNI —RCMP believe a Port Alberni woman missing for more than two years was likely a homicide victim.

In hopes of advancing the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Amber Manthorne, Port Alberni RCMP hosted a news conference on Wednesday, Oct 16.

Manthorne was reported missing the morning of July 8, 2022, after failing to show up for work in Port Alberni.

On Wednesday, Port Alberni Mounties acknowledged her boyfriend Justin Hall, who was located deceased in Merritt in July 2023, is a person of interest but that his death has hampered their investigation.

He’s believed to be one of the last, if not the last people to ever see Manthorne, according to Port Alberni RCMP.

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Hall’s statements to police following the woman’s disappearance were not helpful, according to the Port Alberni detachment.

Several days after Manthorne’s disappearance the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit was tasked with investigating the case.

Amber Manthorne, a resident of Great Central Lake, remains missing and is presumed dead. (RCMP)

Timeline of Hall/Manthorne’s vehicle movements

Port Alberni RCMP outlined the movements of Hall, Manthorne, and her white 2021 Jeep Compass just prior to and following her disappearance in July of 2022.

• July 7, at 3:27 p.m., Manthorne is seen alone on surveillance footage at Buy-Low Foods in Port Alberni. She purchases groceries and leaves in her vehicle.

• On July 7, at 3:35 p.m., a white SUV consistent with Manthorne’s proceeds west on Pacific Rim Hwy. near Tseshaht Market. Manthorne arrives at her home around this time.

• July 8, 12:22 a.m., Justin Hall phones a taxi company from the Petro-Canada service station on River Rd. Twenty-two minutes later a cab is observed on surveillance video near Tseshaht Marke travelling west.

• July 8, at 4:17 a.m., a white SUV consistent with Manthorne’s is captured on surveillance video travelling east on Pacific Rim Hwy. towards Port Alberni.

• July 8, at 04:50 a.m., Manthorne’s vehicle enters the Husky service station on 3rd Ave, Port Alberni. The vehicle pulls up to the pump, Hall exits the driver’s seat, enters the store and pays for gas. Hall tries to place a suitcase from the backseat into the hatchback of the vehicle, but it won’t fit and is returned to the back seat. A tote is in the SUV’s hatchback. The tote and suitcase have not been recovered.

Port Alberni RCMP are hoping to recover this tote, spotted in Manthorne’s jeep with Hall the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle. (RCMP)

• July 8, at 7:02 a.m. Manthorne’s vehicle is observed on surveillance footage at the McDonald’s restaurant on Johnston Rd. where Hall makes a purchase.

• July 8, at 8:00 a.m. Manthorne fails to show up for work.

• July 8, at 9:22 a.m. Hall makes a purchase at Walmart in Nanaimo.

• July 8, at 10:26 a.m. Manthorne’s vehicle is captured on surveillance video at the BC Ferries terminal at Duke Point. Hall, the lone occupant, purchases a ferry ticket and proceeds to the ferry line.

• July 8, at 11:03 a.m. Manthorne’s vehicle is captured on surveillance video leaving the BC Ferry terminal with Hall driving.

• July 9, at 3:08 p.m., Ladysmith RCMP responded to a report and located Manthorne’s vehicle abandoned at McGillivary Way and Creekwood Pl.

Manthorne’s phone could be integral to the police investigation into her disappearance. It has not been located. (RCMP)

RCMP provide further comment

After the timeline was outlined, Port Alberni RCMP Sgt. Chet Carroll answered a series of follow-up questions from reporters.

He said while it’s not known where Manthorne’s phone is, he believes it never left the Port Alberni area.

Carroll was asked if police believe Manthorne’s body was in the tote depicted in the surveillance footage from the Port Alberni Husky service station.

“We can’t say that her body was in the tote, but we don’t want to ignore the fact that it has never been recovered. We want to be open to all of the possibilities.”

Sgt. Carroll said people close to Hall may have information he shared about what happened to Manthorne.

“Or it could be the fact that somebody knows more about Justin and where he went in Cassidy or Nanaimo and that may help us,” Sgt. Carroll said.

Anybody with information on the whereabouts of Amber Manthorne is asked to contact their local police detachment or those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

— with files from David Wiwchar, 93.3 FM The Peak.

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