ESTEVAN — The Saskatchewan RCMP continues to investigate the disappearance of Courtney Struble.
July 9 marks the 21-year anniversary of the day she vanished. Courtney, who was 13 years old at the time, had been watching movies with friends at a veterinary clinic on the outskirts of the city. When it was time for her to go home at about 11:30 p.m., she declined a ride and opted to walk. The RCMP has stated previously that it believes she made it safely back to Estevan.
Courtney's friends and family haven't seen her since. There have been tips and reported sightings of Courtney, but she has not been located, and the investigation and searches have been unable to find her.
The RCMP, who is treating her disappearance as a homicide, believes her body is located in or around Estevan. The Saskatchewan Historical Case Unit (HCU) is the lead investigative unit on this file, but the HCU does not have any significant updates on the file.
"The Saskatchewan RCMP Historical Case Unit continues to work with the Estevan Police Service in relation to the disappearance of Courtney Struble," the RCMP said in an email to SaskToday.
"Police have conducted many interviews, neighbourhood inquiries, proactively searched areas, and continue following up on all credible information that is provided to police. Long-term missing persons investigations, such as Courtney Struble’s case, remain open and investigated until the individual is found."
The Saskatchewan RCMP encourages anyone with information regarding Courtney’s whereabouts to report it to police.
"Investigators recognize that there could be some hesitance to come forward with information due to the passage of time. Investigators advise that no matter how much time has passed, it is never too late to report details to police.
"Whether it be dated information or a detail that seems small, it matters and investigators ask that you bring that information forward. That detail could be the information that leads to closure for Courtney’s family and loved ones."
If anyone has information, please contact your local police service by dialing 310-RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
The Estevan Police Service handled the case initially, and the Historical Case Unit took over the investigation a few years later. Courtney's disappearance was initially treated as a runaway but eventually was viewed as a homicide.
There was no banking activity and her Saskatchewan Health Card has not been used, which the RCMP has previously said is not consistent with a girl who ran away from home or chose not to have contact with her family.
At the time of her disappearance, Courtney was 5'3" tall, weighed approximately 125 pounds, had light brown hair, hazel eyes, a birthmark on the nape of her neck and a 1 1/2-inch scar on her left shin.
Locally, there is a Facebook page, Help us Find Courtney Jennelle Struble, where members have shared their memories about Courtney, and have discussed the case and other missing persons instances in Saskatchewan and beyond.
Her case has also drawn attention from outside of the community, as the Crime Squad Podcast and the Krime with Kait YouTube channel have provided additional awareness on her disappearance.
