REGINA — The Regina Police Service (RPS) will continue offering a cash reward for information on the whereabouts of Tamra Keepness.
In 2004, Tamra was last seen inside her home at the 1800 block of Ottawa Street on the evening of Monday, July 5.
Shortly after her disappearance, the RPS offered a $25,000 cash award to anyone helping lead the police to the location of Tamra Keepness. The cash award was then up to $50,000 in 2014.
RPS superintendent Laurel Marshall said keeping the reward money brings her case to the forefront of people’s minds.
"With the passing of time, people’s life circumstances change, which can generate new opportunities or reasons for bringing new information forward,” she noted during the Board of Police Commissioners meeting on Wednesday.
Marshall said the RPS has received five new tips related to the case this year.
The RPS cold case unit is currently handling the case.
Marshall noted that a new cold case coordinator was hired in January by the RPS.
“They’ve done an extensive review with a fresh set of eyes on the case.”
Advancements in science have also led the RPS to sift through different evidence to see if there are new opportunities for DNA testing.
“Some exhibits have been identified to [be] sent off to the national lab in Ottawa,” said Marshall.
The Board of Police Commissioners passed the motion, and the cash award will continue until Dec. 31, 2026.
Triple homicide reward:
The Board of Police Commissioners also voted to keep a $50,000 reward until the end of next year for a triple-homicide which occurred in 2010.
In August 2010, a family of three, including 31-year-old Gray Nay Htoo, his wife, 28-year-old Maw Maw, and three-year-old son, Seven June Htoo, were found dead inside their residence at 323 Oakview Drive.
The family were Karen refugees from a Thai refugee camp that came to Canada two years prior, according to police.
The investigation has seen over 200 interviews with 25 RPS members working on the case at one point.
During the case, RPS investigators have worked with the RCMP, FBI, and other police services.
RPS Chief Lorilee Davies said they still believe people out there have evidence which can advance the investigations into the 2010 homicide and into Tamra Keepness’ disappearance.
The cash rewards are part of the RPS's proposed $131.8 million operating budget in 2026.
