It’s now been one month since officials confirmed human remains found near Hope, B.C. in late March were that of Trina Hunt.
Since then, there’s been “no answers, no arrests, no closure,” says the family of the 48-year-old Port Moody woman, who was described in an update today (June 1) as someone who brought energy, enthusiasm and a “zest for life” to everyone she met.
In hopes of enticing the public, especially those who may know a sliver of information, four family members are offering a collective reward of $50,000 for details that lead to someone’s arrest and eventual charges.
This includes Trina’s parents, Charles and Diana Ibbott, as well as her brother Brad and his wife, Jen.
“We know someone out there knows something or has heard something,” says Hunt’s family in a prepared statement, which was read to the media earlier today (June 1) from Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) spokesperson Sgt. Frank Jang.
“Are you suspicious of someone or are you protecting someone? We need you to come forward. We need you to be Trina’s voice. Please do the right thing and put an end to this unnecessary suffering.”
.@HomicideTeam says the family of Trina Hunt is offering a $50K reward for anyone that brings information forward about the 48yo’s homicide that leads to an arrest & charges. Sgt. Frank Jang presents a photo of Hunt ahead of today’s (June 1) update | #PortMoody @TriCityNews pic.twitter.com/PGc5Yi84ZX
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) June 1, 2021
IHIT’S INVESTIGATION ‘PROGRESSING,’ BUT NO NEW INFORMATION
Investigators believe someone in Silver Creek where Hunt’s body was found may know something with regards to her murder.
Sgt. Jang says while the area near Hope — to his knowledge — is considered rural, it’s also densely populated with neighbourhoods where someone could have been a witness.
He says the case is ‘progressing,’ but there’s also no new information to share with the public today other than the family’s reward.
“If there’s somebody with information, they know who they are and they need to come forward,” Jang remarked, noting the endgame is to put a suspect in handcuffs and provide closure for loved ones that continue to grieve for Trina.
“And $50,000, that’s a lot of money! That's a very generous reward put out by Trina’s family and that really speaks to their motivation. Obviously, they want answers for their family and for Trina. We want answers for them and we’re hoping that there’s that one person, maybe one or two, out there that’s going to claim that reward and give us that information that we need.”
IHIT searches have also been extensive, Jang added, including those by police and community members.
On Jan. 19, a day after she was reported missing to Port Moody Police, members of Coquitlam Search and Rescue, RCMP and local residents went out to try to find Hunt near her Heritage Woods home, where a memorial has since been created.
When it comes to sharing specific information, Jang said IHIT is keeping things air-tight for now as public safety remains a concern for investigators.
“It’s so crucial that we keep what we [IHIT] know to ourselves. I know there’s a very curious community out there. Social media has shown that,” he added, speaking of amateur and digital sleuths.
“There’s a lot of people who just want to know what happened for their own curiosity. We’re also very aware that Trina’s killer is also out there because they’re not in custody yet. That person is still out there, that person may still be watching [...] and I’m not willing to provide any information to that person whatsoever.”
In an earlier interview with Tri-City News, family spokesperson Stephanie Ibbott said she and the rest of Hunt’s family appreciate both the outpouring of support and efforts to get to the bottom of what happened. At the same time, she’s worried others offering hot takes on YouTube and not connected to the community could do more harm than good.
“We’re just trying to do things one step at a time and wait. We don’t want to get lost in speculation,” said Ibbott.
A MESSAGE TO THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR HUNT’S MURDER
In addition to thanking the community for all the support, Trina’s family is also making a plea to the person involved with her murder to “take responsibility.”
“You have senselessly taken Trina’s life and have ruined so many others,” Sgt. Jang further read from the statement.
“Own up to your actions and accept the consequences. It’s the least you can do. We all know you’re out there and our family and the community will continue fighting for answers. And while, painfully, nothing will bring Trina back, our family will get justice for Trina. Trina and all women deserve nothing less.”
To the rest of the public, the family says, “We need your help, we need to find the person who did this and bring justice for Trina. Someone murdered Trina, someone took her life.”
Anyone with information related to Hunt’s death is asked to contact IHIT's information line at 1-877-551-4448 or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Anonymous tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477.
BRIEF TRINA HUNT INVESTIGATION TIMELINE
Jan. 18 - Trina Hunt is reported missing, Port Moody police (PMPD) begin investigation.
Jan. 19 - Port Moody police issue a public plea for help in locating 48-year-old Trina Hunt who was reported last seen by her husband at 6 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18.
Jan. 21 - PMPD seeks dash cam footage of the area for the hours of 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 18.
Jan. 22 - Police issue two media releases: one stating there are no updates from overnight. “The investigation into the disappearance of Trina Hunt is active and ongoing.” Another that says Trina’s family has been cooperative and “foul play is not suspected.”
Jan. 27 - Family posts a video on Facebook containing photos and a description of the 48-year-old woman on Facebook, asking people to share it widely.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 7 - Coquitlam RCMP ask people to stop spreading information about abductions on social media. Speculation that concerns about missing Trina Hunt and a Chilliwack woman are creating a climate of fear.
Feb. 17 - PMPD say via a statement that they contacted IHIT, responsible for cases where foul play is suspected. However, “this missing person case does not meet IHIT’s mandate.”
MARCH
March 1 - Family of Trina Hunt holds a press conference to display a missing persons banner on the Murray Street overpass in Port Moody.
March 20, 21 - Family and friends re-start community searches of the Heritage Mountain area for Trina Hunt.
March 29 - A body is found in Hope; IHIT reveals that human remains have been recovered in the area south of Silver Creek and it will be working with forensic services and the B.C. Coroners Service to gather evidence. No reference is made to Trina Hunt.
APRIL
April 18 - A special livestream vigil is held on Facebook for Trina Hunt, to mark three months since her disappearance, with participants encouraged to light a candle.
MAY
May 1 - IHIT reveals the remains found in Hope have been identified as being those of Trina Hunt. It states that foul play is suspected in her death and it is working with the Port Moody police to further the investigation.
- with files from Diane Strandberg, Tri-City News, and Stefan Labbe, Glacier Media
