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Two women, missing from northeastern British Columbia since February 2005, are the latest additions to the list of missing persons falling under the Project KARE mandate.

At a press conference convened February 17th, 2008 – the third anniversary of the women's disappearance – RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Wayne A. Oakes announced that Rene Lynn Gunning of Fort St. John (left) and Krystle Ann Julia Knott of Dawson Creek were last seen at West Edmonton Mall. Gunning was 20 at the time, Knott was 16.

Oakes said the women are now believed missing under "suspicious circumstances," specifically citing the length of time since their disappearance and their method of travel – hitchhiking.

"The fact that they relied on hitchhiking to enable their interprovincial travels placed them at a greater risk of becoming victims of a violent crime," Oakes said.

Those circumstances, in addition to last being seen at the mall, led investigators to place the cases under the Project KARE mandate in July 2007. RCMP chose the February 2008 weekend to make news of their disappearances public.

At the press conference, Cpl. Oakes was testily questioned by media about the delay. Oakes responded that the timing was to use the anniversary to spark public memory, and to ensure investigators were certain of as many facts as possible before issuing a media release.

"It took that amount of time to gather the information," Oakes said. "You can't release what you don't have."

Oakes also pointed out that British Columbia RCMP had issued missing persons alerts for Gunning in 2005.

Investigators said they were satisfied that neither Gunning nor Knott had any involvement in the sex trade. There was also no comment on whether video surveillance at the mall was part of the investigation.

On February 17th, 2005 Gunning hitchhiked from Fort St. John, travelled through Grande Prairie, Alberta and eventually arrived at West Edmonton Mall. She was last seen the next day in the presence of Krystle Knott. Knott had arrived in Edmonton around the beginning of February 2005 from Dawson Creek.

Investigators determined that the two women did not know each other prior to their arrival in Edmonton but likely became acquainted while at the mall through as yet unknown circumstances.

At some point on February 18th the pair told their respective friends that they were hitchhiking back to either Dawson Creek or Fort St. John.

Oakes said that since that date there have been no confirmed sightings or contact with either woman. It was not known if the pair actually departed the mall area on February 18th or if they may have spent some time hanging out with, as yet unidentified, new friends.

Gunning, born in May 1985, was described as First Nations, 5-feet 2-inches (157 cm) and 111 lbs (50 kg), with black hair that was chin length and brown eyes. She had tattoos of a moon and star, in black ink, on her back, and she had a mole on her chin and upper lip.

Gunning was last known to be wearing a hoodie, a 2-inch wide, black bracelet with small silver spikes, pink & grey "Power" running shoes and a dark colored "Spongebob" backpack.

A larger image of Gunning can be seen here. A missing persons poster of Gunning can be seen here (opens as a .pdf file).

RCMP revealed that Gunning had a son but due to privacy concerns no other details about him could be released.

On the day after the press conference, media added details to Gunning's story including an interview with a girl who was with the two missing women at West Edmonton Mall – see Rene Lynn Gunning.

Knott, born in February 1989, was described as First Nations, 5-feet 1-inch (155 cm) and 121 lbs (55kg), with black hair that may have been dyed dark blonde or may have blonde streaks and brown eyes. She had a tattoo of a cherry heart on her ankle and piercings on her lower lip and ears.

Knott was last known to be wearing black pants, black tank top and a fishnet shirt, black boots and a white jacket.

Knott also used the aliases of Krystle Vankoughnett; Krystle Goulet and Krystle Letendre.

A larger image of Knott can be seen here. A missing persons poster of Knott can be seen here (opens as a .pdf file).

Both Gunning and Knott were now both listed on the recently launched www.albertamissingpersons.ca website, a public database of missing persons and unidentified human remains.

At the time of the press conference, the website was experiencing technical difficulties thought to be due to high server demand. RCMP noted information about Gunning and Knott was also available on the Project KARE site.

According to Oakes, Project KARE was currently investigating just over thirty missing persons under its mandate which is exclusive to the province of Alberta.

RCMP were hopeful anyone with details regarding the activities of Gunning and Knott around February 2005, such as means of travel, hangouts or activities or known acquaintances, would contact Project KARE at 495-KARE (5273) or 1-877-412-KARE (5273) or online at www.tipsubmit.com - a secure tip submission web site.

RCMP also hoped that if Gunning and Knott learned of the interest in their well being to call one of the numbers provided to inform investigators as to their current circumstances.

JoAnn McCartney, a former Edmonton police vice cop who now counsels street prostitutes through Prostitution Awareness and Action Foundation of Edmonton (PAAFE), was asked about the placement of Gunning and Knott on the Project KARE list.

"It's a reminder that the list is much bigger than just women from the street," McCartney said.

"Even though they're very open about there's absolutely no background about prostitution, they are connecting the names to Project KARE and Svekla's connected to Project KARE so maybe it will make people think about it a little more," she said, referring to the trial of the only person charged by the task force.

On the day after the press conference, media added details to Gunning's story including an interview with a girl who was with the two missing women at West Edmonton Mall – see Rene Lynn Gunning.

deadmonton 2008 - other police matters - Project KARE adds two to list