CANADA Canada - Ben Tyner, 32, cowboy, horse returned w/o him, Merritt, British Columbia, 26 Jan 2019 - #2

[Trudie]

I hope that the RCMP are visiting MW in Alberta where he works now. I'm hopeful MW will shed some much needed light on the situation at the ranch in Merritt. He would certainly have first hand knowledge of the cowboys at the ranch.....and the cowboys who lost their jobs at the ranch.
Rest in peace Ben. MOO

Excellent point, @Brubon MW would certainly know at least one of the current cowboys and all of those displaced.
MW sounds like a true cowboy, like Ben, therefore, I suspect he went to LE to tell them what he knows.
MW was there a long time, nothing happened to him. Gives me more reason to think someone expected to get Ben’s job & when he did not, he “targeted” Ben.

 

[Trudie]

Seems Ben’s thread has a lot of new posters. This gives me hope Ca, especially Nicola Valley residents are renewing their interest, as well. Nicola Valley seems rich with ranches, agriculture & cowboys. Hopefully, they all kinda know each other or at least know of each other. Knowledge can generate leads.
It’s just staggering to think Ben wasn’t even in Ca 90 days. That’s all he got!
IMO, there’s a very dangerous person in NV that needs to be apprehended, sooner, not later. If he killed once, the next time might be easier. Moo
Really cool to have so many of you from Canada posting. Helps those of us stateside get a better grasp on things!

 

[zecats]

I hope that the RCMP are visiting MW in Alberta where he works now. I'm hopeful MW will shed some much needed light on the situation at the ranch in Merritt. He would certainly have first hand knowledge of the cowboys at the ranch.....and the cowboys who lost their jobs at the ranch.
Rest in peace Ben. MOO

Excellent thought. I hope they are talking to him as well. He must have a great inside pov. And true...RIP Ben.

 

[Steelslady]

I hope that the RCMP are visiting MW in Alberta where he works now. I'm hopeful MW will shed some much needed light on the situation at the ranch in Merritt. He would certainly have first hand knowledge of the cowboys at the ranch.....and the cowboys who lost their jobs at the ranch.
Rest in peace Ben. MOO

Was Ben found deceased?

 

[Trudie]

Excellent thought. I hope they are talking to him as well. He must have a great inside pov. And true...RIP Ben.

He’d certainly have a wealth of info regarding employee morale, imo.

 

[Satchie]

Was Ben found deceased?

No, he hasn't been found, unfortunately.

But RCMP have released a statement: "Now having had the opportunity to review all the pieces, we believe that the circumstances surrounding Mr. Tyner’s disappearance may involve criminality."
RCMP in British Columbia - Ben Tyner’s disappearance deemed suspicious

It's been my observation that RCMP would never issue this statement if they thought there was the slightest possibility it could have been an accident, especially so soon after the disappearance. If he was now found after having had an accident, they'd look stupid and incompetent, and be severely criticized for firing off a press release that unnecessarily caused pain to the family and stirred up suspicion and fear in the community. The language is circumspect but I translate it as meaning they believe he was murdered.

 

[Steelslady]

No, he hasn't been found, unfortunately.

But RCMP have released a statement: "Now having had the opportunity to review all the pieces, we believe that the circumstances surrounding Mr. Tyner’s disappearance may involve criminality."
RCMP in British Columbia - Ben Tyner’s disappearance deemed suspicious

It's been my observation that RCMP would never issue this statement if they thought there was the slightest possibility it could have been an accident, especially so soon after the disappearance. If he was now found after having had an accident, they'd look stupid and incompetent, and be severely criticized for firing off a press release that unnecessarily caused pain to the family and stirred up suspicion and fear in the community. The language is circumspect but I translate it as meaning they believe he was murdered.

I have felt this way all along. I just don't feel that he took his horse with him and did self harm. Poor Ben, I hope that they find him or something that leads to him soon.

 

[Trudie]

No, he hasn't been found, unfortunately.

But RCMP have released a statement: "Now having had the opportunity to review all the pieces, we believe that the circumstances surrounding Mr. Tyner’s disappearance may involve criminality."
RCMP in British Columbia - Ben Tyner’s disappearance deemed suspicious

It's been my observation that RCMP would never issue this statement if they thought there was the slightest possibility it could have been an accident, especially so soon after the disappearance. If he was now found after having had an accident, they'd look stupid and incompetent, and be severely criticized for firing off a press release that unnecessarily caused pain to the family and stirred up suspicion and fear in the community. The language is circumspect but I translate it as meaning they believe he was murdered.

From the get go, RCMP never acted as if they believed he had an accident. No one did, imo.

 

[zecats]

No, he hasn't been found, unfortunately.

But RCMP have released a statement: "Now having had the opportunity to review all the pieces, we believe that the circumstances surrounding Mr. Tyner’s disappearance may involve criminality."
RCMP in British Columbia - Ben Tyner’s disappearance deemed suspicious

It's been my observation that RCMP would never issue this statement if they thought there was the slightest possibility it could have been an accident, especially so soon after the disappearance. If he was now found after having had an accident, they'd look stupid and incompetent, and be severely criticized for firing off a press release that unnecessarily caused pain to the family and stirred up suspicion and fear in the community. The language is circumspect but I translate it as meaning they believe he was murdered.

That's a great point. Seems RCMP waited until they had enough of the puzzle pieces to make the statement they did. It was not without consideration that being inaccurate would cause criticism. In fact, I've read enough criticism of them that they weren't doing enough or that they took too long, etc. (Not warranted, IMO.)

They must have been certain in their beliefs that this was a crime. I sincerely hope they continue in the investigative manner they have done thus far and solve the rest of the puzzle.

 

[Trudie]

oops, self delete

 

[Trudie]

That's a great point. Seems RCMP waited until they had enough of the puzzle pieces to make the statement they did. It was not without consideration that being inaccurate would cause criticism. In fact, I've read enough criticism of them that they weren't doing enough or that they took too long, etc. (Not warranted, IMO.)

They must have been certain in their beliefs that this was a crime. I sincerely hope they continue in the investigative manner they have done thus far and solve the rest of the puzzle.

It always seems to us on the outside not enough is being done. Especially for any of us following an out of country case, because things are different.
Like in the US, I’m sure many search warrants were needed, prob some forensic tests, cell phone data, hundreds of interviews, etc. it all takes time.
Now, with the latest press release, I’m convinced LE only needs a few more pieces for this puzzle. Some pieces might come from lab results, even.
With LEs announcement, someone ought to consider coming forward, confessing & bringing resolution to the Tyner family & Nicola Ranch. The ranch owner must be devastated!

ETA: RCMP has repeatedly given the perp’ an opportunity to come forward.
Now he knows, they are not viewing this as an accident.
What is he thinking tonight?

 

[zecats]

It always seems to us on the outside not enough is being done. Especially for any of us following an out of country case, because things are different.
Like in the US, I’m sure many search warrants were needed, prob some forensic tests, cell phone data, hundreds of interviews, etc. it all takes time.
Now, with the latest press release, I’m convinced LE only needs a few more pieces for this puzzle. Some pieces might come from lab results, even.
With LEs announcement, someone ought to consider coming forward, confessing & bringing resolution to the Tyner family & Nicola Ranch. The ranch owner must be devastated!

ETA: RCMP has repeatedly given the perp’ an opportunity to come forward.
Now he knows, they are not viewing this as an accident.
What is he thinking tonight?

I suspect this supposed murderer initially thought he/ she had gotten away with this crime. Still might feel that way to an extent if made to believe LE doesn’t have enough info. Or witnesses. Or evidence. Maybe with the “criminality believed” announcement, said person is sleeping a little more nervously. Let’s hope. Nervous people often talk. Or make mistakes. I truly hope the tip line is ringing off the hooks now that the community has been directly informed it wasn’t an accident and is suspicious.

 

[Trudie]

I suspect this supposed murderer initially thought he/ she had gotten away with this crime. Still might feel that way to an extent if made to believe LE doesn’t have enough info. Or witnesses. Or evidence. Maybe with the “criminality believed” announcement, said person is sleeping a little more nervously. Let’s hope. Nervous people often talk. Or make mistakes. I truly hope the tip line is ringing off the hooks now that the community has been directly informed it wasn’t an accident and is suspicious.

When the tip line was established, that told us LE knew Ben didn’t fall off his horse.
They certainly didn’t expect anyone in the wilderness observed any such thing & would call a tip line.

 

[Trudie]

I suspect this supposed murderer initially thought he/ she had gotten away with this crime. Still might feel that way to an extent if made to believe LE doesn’t have enough info. Or witnesses. Or evidence. Maybe with the “criminality believed” announcement, said person is sleeping a little more nervously. Let’s hope. Nervous people often talk. Or make mistakes. I truly hope the tip line is ringing off the hooks now that the community has been directly informed it wasn’t an accident and is suspicious.

I suppose there’s a wide range of emotions after committing a crime & the more days that pass w/o being arrested, the more confident one would be.

 

[Satchie]

I suspect this supposed murderer initially thought he/ she had gotten away with this crime. Still might feel that way to an extent if made to believe LE doesn’t have enough info. Or witnesses. Or evidence. Maybe with the “criminality believed” announcement, said person is sleeping a little more nervously. Let’s hope. Nervous people often talk. Or make mistakes. I truly hope the tip line is ringing off the hooks now that the community has been directly informed it wasn’t an accident and is suspicious.

I was wondering, it was possibly never anticipated that the horse would be found so quickly, by someone who really knew what he was doing. I'd imagine that's pretty empty backcountry in January.

 

[zecats]

I was wondering, it was possibly never anticipated that the horse would be found so quickly, by someone who really knew what he was doing. I'd imagine that's pretty empty backcountry in January.

You know, I’m not sure. KR, who found Gunny, stated he was up there every morning for a month. And loggers seem to be in the area frequently as well. I can’t see how locals wouldn’t be aware of that.

And I truly believe if the horse was not meant to be found, it would not have been saddled and geared up. IMO someone wanted to look as if Ben was riding and fell off up there somewhere. And wanted Gunny to be found to support that.

 

[enelram]

It seems to me there was very slow response by RMCP initially.
IMO locals did believe it was an accident , thus all the organized searches.
If we can believe, despite a news ban by LE and RCMP, there
was little suspicion about foul play. Until the searches were
done and over, it seems RCMP was not involved.
I'd like to know WHO suggested Ben may have gone out looking
for stray cows. WHO thought he would be 'working' on his day
off. Maybe the person "targeting" Ben sent him on a wild goose
chase by telling him about a good size mini herd of stray cows,
and told him right where they'd be and this "targeter" knew
Ben would be out there and alone on his horse and an easy
target for a sniper.
Based on pics on local sm pages, sniper rifles with powerful
scopes are quite popular in that area for 'hunting'. These rifles
have tremendous range and are pretty accurate long distances.

There was definitely lots going on at NR. Manager let go,
haying operation leased out, 9 employees let go. And only 4 employees kept. NR , essentially cleaned house. 10 out of 14
employees swept out. Obviously the owners of NR were very
dissatisfied with the way the ranch had been run, for years.

Disgruntled ex- employee? A resentment killing? Was Ben
simply a victim of his position and not necessarily killed
for personal reasons against him?
Was this a vendetta against the corporate ranch itself?
Here in US disgruntled ex- employees come back and retaliate
killing innocent employees when the killers were really
"targeting" the employer company. And because the small
band of original NR employees were like a long term 'family'.
Perp didn't want to harm them but the new 'outsider' was
different. The new outsider represented the bad stuff happening
at NR. The new outsider represented the corporate owners
who made the decision to clean house and oust all the long
term employees.
Maybe Ben was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe
this was just a swipe back at NR for taking away the livelihood
of all those let go long term employees.

 

[Trudie]

You know, I’m not sure. KR, who found Gunny, stated he was up there every morning for a month. And loggers seem to be in the area frequently as well. I can’t see how locals wouldn’t be aware of that.

And I truly believe if the horse was not meant to be found, it would not have been saddled and geared up. IMO someone wanted to look as if Ben was riding and fell off up there somewhere. And wanted Gunny to be found to support that.

IMO, by 8-9a.m., someone would have reported Ben missing, Monday was his work day, someone would have missed him. I think an employee would have checked his house, realized Gunny was gone, etc.
So yeah, Gunny had to be found, to get the accident theory rolling. Moo

 

[Trudie]

It seems to me there was very slow response by RMCP initially.
IMO locals did believe it was an accident , thus all the organized searches.
If we can believe, despite a news ban by LE and RCMP, there
was little suspicion about foul play. Until the searches were
done and over, it seems RCMP was not involved.
I'd like to know WHO suggested Ben may have gone out looking
for stray cows. WHO thought he would be 'working' on his day
off. Maybe the person "targeting" Ben sent him on a wild goose
chase by telling him about a good size mini herd of stray cows,
and told him right where they'd be and this "targeter" knew
Ben would be out there and alone on his horse and an easy
target for a sniper.
Based on pics on local sm pages, sniper rifles with powerful
scopes are quite popular in that area for 'hunting'. These rifles
have tremendous range and are pretty accurate long distances.

There was definitely lots going on at NR. Manager let go,
haying operation leased out, 9 employees let go. And only 4 employees kept. NR , essentially cleaned house. 10 out of 14
employees swept out. Obviously the owners of NR were very
dissatisfied with the way the ranch had been run, for years.

Disgruntled ex- employee? A resentment killing? Was Ben
simply a victim of his position and not necessarily killed
for personal reasons against him?
Was this a vendetta against the corporate ranch itself?
Here in US disgruntled ex- employees come back and retaliate
killing innocent employees when the killers were really
"targeting" the employer company. And because the small
band of original NR employees were like a long term 'family'.
Perp didn't want to harm them but the new 'outsider' was
different. The new outsider represented the bad stuff happening
at NR. The new outsider represented the corporate owners
who made the decision to clean house and oust all the long
term employees.
Maybe Ben was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe
this was just a swipe back at NR for taking away the livelihood
of all those let go long term employees.

There sure was a lot going on!
I don’t believe he ever rode. I think he was killed Saturday night, at the latest, Gunny staged the next day.
I have a short list of suspects. A list of one, with a possible accomplice.
Remember, almost immediately Tracey with RCMP commented about how unusual it is for a seasoned cowboy to separate from his horse. That comment was quite telling, imo.

ETA: we’ve never really heard where Ben was @2pm, at the last (supposed) sighting, only, “seen riding out from the ranch”. The ranch is huge, housing scattered over many roads. IMO, he didn’t head out to collect strays @2pm, with darkness looming on the horizon, without his phone, etc. jmo

 

[enelram]

See comment after this article.
So the ranch was looking for a lessee, someone to take over the ranch. The owners did make a complete sweep to start over
on running the ranch.
Jobs in this area are taken seriously as locals probably don't
have much chance at steady income. And when they lose this job
and any unemployment benefits run out, families could get
desperate for income. As this commenter posted, The ranch
didn't give two sh1ts about their employees.
Another vote for a revenge killing.

Bradner R Farms assumes haying operation at Nicola Ranch - Merritt Herald