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20 years since Melanie Ethier disappeared

Mom: Please don’t take this information to your grave. I always thought I would have answers by now and my heart is exhausted after searching for 20 years.


For Immediate Release

Today marks 20 years since Melanie Ethier went missing in the Town of New Liskeard, ON. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection and the family of Melanie Ethier are asking for the public to come forward with any information about her disappearance.

Melanie was 15 years old when she vanished after leaving a friend’s home on Sept. 29, 1996. She was walking a short distance to her home in Temiskaming Shores at 2 a.m., but never made it. She has not been seen or heard from since that morning and police say foul play is strongly suspected in her disappearance.

“I truly believe that someone knows what happened to Melanie,” says Melanie’s mom, Celine Ethier. “Whoever has information, please come forward. Please don’t take this information to your grave. I always thought I would have answers by now and my heart is exhausted after searching for 20 years.”

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is appealing to anyone who has information about Melanie to contact MissingKids.ca at 1-866-KID-TIPS (543-8477). Help Celine and her family find the answers they need.

“For 20 years, someone has kept what happened to Melanie that night a secret. It’s time to come forward,” said Christy Dzikowicz, Director of MissingKids.ca. “It’s time to give her family some peace. Call the police. Call us. You don’t have to give your name, just tell us what you know — even if it’s just a small piece of information.”

Melanie was last seen wearing a green Nike jacket, blue jeans, white shirt with a blue Pepe logo on the front and black boots.

To set up an interview with Celine Ethier or Christy Dzikowicz, please contact:
Communications, Canadian Centre for Child Protection
Email: communications@protectchildren.ca
Phone: 204-560-0723