RCMP now say the disappearance of Sheree Fertuck, 51, is being investigated as a homicide.
The mother of three hasn’t been seen since Dec. 7, 2015 when she left her family’s farm yard east of Kenaston. She was headed out to haul gravel.
Her semi-truck, with her keys, coat and cellphone inside, was found the next day at a gravel pit just off Highway 15, about 25 kilometres east of the central Saskatchewan community.
Searchers covered more than 35,000 acres of territory by horseback, snowmobile, foot, and vehicle back in December, but didn’t find any evidence of Fertuck. Searches also involved police dogs, planes and underwater rescue teams.
Police say there hasn’t been any activity with Fertuck’s passport, cellphone, health card or bank account.
“At this point I would say we’re treating it like a blank slate. We haven’t discounted anybody as possible suspects or possibly involved in her disappearance,” RCMP Staff Sgt. Murray Chamberlin said at a press conference Monday.
Fertuck’s mother, Juliann Sorotski, told media she is overwhelmed by the support her family is receiving. She said Fertuck’s main priority was her three children and her one grandchild.
“We miss her so much,” Sorotski said. “She loved her dog. She was a strong, hard-working and a kind person. Sheree always took time to stop and talk to people.”
The RCMP’s major crimes unit has prepared a timeline of Fertuck’s last known movements in hopes that it might lead to information about her disappearance.
Starting Wednesday, investigators will launch a search of specific locations in the province in an attempt to locate Fertuck and to find evidence related to her disappearance.
“What we’re looking for is absolutely any evidence pertaining to Sheree’s disappearance and our goal is to locate Sheree’s remains and bring her home to her family,” Chamberlin said.
RCMP say Fertuck was not involved in any criminal activity.
