Amber Manthorne, a 40-year-old woman from Port Alberni, British Columbia, was reported missing in July 2022. Her disappearance is now suspected to be the result of foul play, leaving her family, friends, and the Port Alberni community devastated and searching for answers. Despite extensive search efforts, Amber has not been found, and authorities fear she is no longer alive.
Timeline of Events Leading to Amber’s Disappearance
Amber was last seen on July 7, 2022, at 3:27 p.m. at Buy Low Foods in Port Alberni, where she was captured on CCTV footage shopping alone. Later that day, around 3:35 p.m., a vehicle matching the description of Amber’s white 2021 Jeep Compass was seen heading west on the Pacific Rim Highway, near Tseshaht Market, as Amber returned to her Central Lake home.
By the early hours of July 8, Amber had vanished. Her boyfriend at the time, Justin Hall, quickly became a person of interest after being spotted driving Amber’s vehicle in the hours following her disappearance. Hall was seen on CCTV footage at 4:50 a.m. on July 8 at a Husky gas station in Port Alberni, where he appeared to be attempting to move a suitcase from the back seat of Amber’s Jeep into the hatchback. Notably, a large tote that was already in the hatchback has never been recovered. This sequence of events raised concerns that Amber had likely met with foul play. By July 9, her Jeep was found abandoned in Ladysmith, approximately 90 kilometers away from Port Alberni.
Justin Hall: A Person of Interest
Justin Hall, who was romantically involved with Amber, was officially identified as a person of interest in her disappearance. His suspicious actions shortly after Amber went missing, combined with his connection to the vehicle and the discovery of the abandoned Jeep, led authorities to suspect his involvement in her fate. While police have not disclosed specific evidence linking him to her disappearance, they have noted that he was central to their investigation.
Tragically, Hall was found dead in Merritt in 2023, just over a year after Amber’s disappearance. His death has complicated the investigation, leaving law enforcement and Amber’s loved ones without a crucial figure who could potentially provide answers. Although the RCMP confirmed his death, the circumstances surrounding it have not been widely disclosed.
Efforts to Solve the Case
The Port Alberni RCMP have been diligently piecing together the events surrounding Amber’s disappearance. Information about Justin Hall’s involvement was released after his death, as investigators continue to seek the truth. Amber’s case remains open, with police appealing to the public for any information that may help them understand what happened in the critical hours between July 7 and July 8, 2022.
Despite the tragic nature of the case, Amber’s family and friends continue to hold out hope for answers. The Port Alberni community has actively engaged in supporting the investigation, conducting multiple search efforts in the months following her disappearance.
The haunting question lingers: What happened to Amber Manthorne? With Justin Hall’s death, the mystery deepens, but police are determined to pursue leads and encourage anyone who may have information about the events surrounding Amber’s disappearance to come forward.
Conclusion: A Community Seeking Closure
The case of Amber Manthorne’s disappearance is a somber reminder of how quickly lives can be altered by tragedy. As the investigation continues, authorities remain committed to finding answers and bringing closure to Amber’s loved ones. While Justin Hall is no longer alive to answer for his suspected involvement, it is hoped that the ongoing investigation will eventually reveal the truth and provide some measure of peace for those who knew and cared for Amber. The Port Alberni community stands united in their search for answers, determined to keep Amber’s memory alive.
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