Updated October 23, 2024 @ 4:18pm
The search for a missing Barrie woman took a new turn today with a renewed effort in Sunnidale Park.
Autumn Shaganash, 26 years old at the time of her disappearance, was last seen at the park more than a year ago.
Peter Leon, communications coordinator with the Barrie Police Service, told Barrie 360 they do not have any new leads in the case, but private investigation groups Investigative Solutions Network (ISN) and ISN Maskwa are joining the search efforts.
Leon says the groups - made up of former police officers and investigators - connected with Shaganash's family and are offering aid and have support from the Barrie police. He added that they are expected to be in the park today through Friday conducting a ground search.
Shaganash's sister, Lili Moore, spoke at Sunnidale Park around noon in front of the media and family and friends.
"I miss her, family misses her, and her friends miss her," said Moore. "There has never been a day that has passed where I don't wonder where she is."
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ISN Maskwa is based out of Sault Ste. Marie and works with First Nation communities to provide an Indigenous-led approach to services including training, deployments, community safety and well-being planning, and investigations.
Paul Syrette, director of operations for ISN Maskwa, told Barrie 360 that his group works hand in hand with multiple stakeholders toward the goal of First Nations helping First Nations in times of emergency or crisis.
In the Shaganash case, ISN Maskwa is in a "support role" and is "enhancing efforts" of Barrie police in their investigation, said Syrette.
Syrette also said one of their top priorities is to support the family of Autumn Shaganash.
"The opportunity this morning, we sat with the elder, we smudged, we had a ceremony, we said that prayer to welcome the day to help this process," explained Syrette. "To help find some resolution in whatever form that may be for the family."
One of the stakeholders connected with the organization is SAR-1 which is leading the three-day search of the park utilizing canines and volunteers.
When speaking at the event, Leon said seven searches have taken place since Shaganash was reported missing.
"You can never overlook anything, and you can never look in the same place too many times," said Leon. "Through ISN Maskwa, they've been able to provide resources ... today, they're utilizing canine resources, and Thursday and Friday they will be on the ground using search techniques and conducting another thorough search."
Police said video surveillance from a home in the area of Sunnidale Park on Saturday, June 10, 2023, around 10 a.m. shows Shaganash walking with a man, each carrying a ski. Officers say the pair was heading towards the Barrie waterfront to watch an airshow. According to the man, he was a few steps ahead of her, turned around and she was gone.
"She just vanished into thin air, without a sound or cry for help, she was gone and never seen or heard from again," police stated in a previous release.
Other tactics to find Shaganash have included a reward of up to $50,000 for information confirming her whereabouts, the posting of digital billboards, and a bus campaign.
"It's been a long 17 months for this family," said Leon. "They've suffered each and every day ... we want to try to reunite Autumn with her family. That is the goal from the outset and that will remain the goal until we know exactly what has happened to her. We're hoping that someone in the community has some information that may point us in the right direction."
Contact the Barrie Police Service Major Crime at 705-725-7025 extension 2160 if you have any information.
