An Indigenous man missing since March 2020 is the victim of homicide, Nanaimo RCMP confirmed Monday.
The family of Sidney Mantee, 32, contacted police in October 2020, concerned for his safety and well-being. Family members living in Saskatchewan said it was out of character not to hear from him for so long.
“It’s an active homicide investigation,” said Const. Gary O’Brien. “We’re not saying who the primary suspect or suspects are to preserve the integrity of the investigative file.”
O’Brien could not say if anyone has been arrested or how Mantee died.
The missing person’s case became a homicide several months ago, he said.
In late May 2021, about 30 specially trained tactical and forensic identification RCMP officers searched Diver’s Lake in Nanaimo for Mantee and other evidence in the case. An underwater recovery team was in the water while other officers searched the park. Police also searched an apartment at 220 Rosehill Ave. where Mantee lived for a period of time, O’Brien said.
“The searches were just part of the evolution of the file. That’s where it really came to a head,” he said.
CHEK News reported that police removed drywall from a wall and ceiling and all the plumbing fixtures, including the bathtub, during the exhaustive search of Mantee’s apartment. The apartment is completely bare.
It’s not uncommon or surprising for police to remove drywall, carpet or bathroom fixtures from residences when they search for forensic evidence, O’Brien said. “We’re going to take anything that will move us forward with forensic evidence.”
This past weekend, RCMP divers did a more exhaustive search of the waters off Nanaimo, following the high tide line at Neck Point Park and Piper’s Lagoon.
The public will be notified if charges are laid, O’Brien said.
