Found Deceased Canada - Shannon Burgess, 25, Calgary, 26 Nov 2014 - #2 *Arrest*

[Lalalacasbah]

I will see if I can find it again. Can someone post the question on the CPS FB page and ask if she is still missing? That way we have an updated answer.

For other readers, if you google "shannon burgess" missing and filter your results by time (within month) it will lead you to this link:

A poster asked CPS 'Is Shannon Burgess still missing?' here is the link and answers:

https://www.facebook.com/CalgaryPolice/posts/10153005023044530

Note: CPS's response (BBM): "As with these investigations, there are always things happening behind the scenes and when/if an important update is required, we will release via all information channels".

 

[deugirtni]

It seems this RCMP missing persons site is not all that beneficial. It seems they only 'feature' a very very small handful of Canadians who are actually missing.

Does the canadasmissing.ca website contain a comprehensive and complete listing of all currently active and ongoing missing persons and unidentified remains cases?

No. This website aims to obtain tips from the public in order to advance investigations. It is an investigative tool to solicit tips from the public. Profiles only appear on the website when the lead investigator or medical examiner/coroner determines, when appropriate, that having a missing persons or unidentified remains profile on the website may assist in advancing their investigation.

Thanks newone. I agree, LE usually would issue a media statement. But they aren't legally obligated to, and if SM cut off contact for privacy to deal with a personal conflict, it's likely she would want to maintain that. If she is alive and she's willingly disappeared due to difficulties, having the media and public judge her for her actions would only make things more difficult and potentially harmful.

Also, it may be worth noting that she's not listed on the Canadian Missing Persons webpage. I'm not sure if she ever was, as it's up to the lead investigator to list a case, but if she had been and it's not there anymore, it tells me she's no longer missing.

 

[evafiore]

For other readers, if you google "shannon burgess" missing and filter your results by time (within month) it will lead you to this link:

A poster asked CPS 'Is Shannon Burgess still missing?' here is the link and answers:

https://www.facebook.com/CalgaryPolice/posts/10153005023044530

Note: CPS's response (BBM): "As with these investigations, there are always things happening behind the scenes and when/if an important update is required, we will release via all information channels".

Unfortunately, it's an obscure statement---they may mean that it's not required that they update the public if they find her. Though you're right, they do say yes. Hmmm.

 

[evafiore]

I'm wondering if SM's case was ever included on the RCMP website. If it were, and now is gone, could indicate that she's been found. Does anyone remember seeing it there?

 

[evafiore]

This is interesting. In response to an inquiry about media releases and missing persons, posted to their FB wall yesterday, CPS stated this:

We take all missing person complaints seriously and investigate them thoroughly. Each case is assessed from the initial report and is continuously reassessed as the investigation proceeds.
A media release is just one of many investigative tools we can use, however, care has to be taken to balance the privacy rights of an individual who may not wish to be found - especially an adult.
As an investigation moves forward, public assistance may be sough when normal avenues are unsuccessful.
We receive an average of 3,300 missing person reports a year. If we issued a media release on all missing persons files (approximately nine per day) they would cease to be an effective investigative tool as the media and public would no longer see them as newsworthy.

 

[LoisLane]

This is interesting. In response to an inquiry about media releases and missing persons, posted to their FB wall yesterday, CPS stated this:

We take all missing person complaints seriously and investigate them thoroughly. Each case is assessed from the initial report and is continuously reassessed as the investigation proceeds.
A media release is just one of many investigative tools we can use, however, care has to be taken to balance the privacy rights of an individual who may not wish to be found - especially an adult.
As an investigation moves forward, public assistance may be sough when normal avenues are unsuccessful.
We receive an average of 3,300 missing person reports a year. If we issued a media release on all missing persons files (approximately nine per day) they would cease to be an effective investigative tool as the media and public would no longer see them as newsworthy.

I interpret this to mean that police respect the privacy rights in cases that would suggest the missing person left on their own free will and because the family are concerned does not mean that police will use media as a tool to find such a person.

I want to strongly believe that if the public is made aware of a missing person through a press release that the police are obligated to issue a conclusion in a simple statement. However, it is true that we never hear results of reported crimes, for example, the woman brutally assaulted in Bridgeland a few months ago. The police have yet to release an update to confirm if she survived the attack or if an arrest was made. When I consider these scenarios it is unsettling and hard for me to trust and respect the system.

 

[evafiore]

I would agree---from the perspective of a member of the public, I would like to be updated about potentially threatening circumstances (e.g., assault, no arrest made). However, if I were in the shoes of someone who's been reported missing, when in fact I didn't want to be found, or made a mistake in running away, I don't know if I'd want that to be subject to public judgment. Yes, willfully disappearing and worrying your loved ones may be a poor way to cope, but under strain, people can make poor decisions.

I really do hope that she is okay, and if she did willfully disappear, that she can set things straight quietly with minimal public scrutiny.

 

[evafiore]

Another case of someone being reported missing, found, but no media release: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?223404-Canada-Collette-Lee-Clouthier-36-Kitchener-ON-30-Sep-2013

If she really is still missing, given the CPS's statement on their policy on missing person media releases, I would guess that they have reason to believe that Shannon does not wish to be found, so have ceased media releases. It would also explain why her family would be attending parties and events like nothing was amiss---they know she's okay, they just don't know where she is.

 

[LoisLane]

Another case of someone being reported missing, found, but no media release: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?223404-Canada-Collette-Lee-Clouthier-36-Kitchener-ON-30-Sep-2013
If she really is still missing, given the CPS's statement on their policy on missing person media releases, I would guess that they have reason to believe that Shannon does not wish to be found, so have ceased media releases. It would also explain why her family would be attending parties and events like nothing was amiss---they know she's okay, they just don't know where she is.

I took a look through this thread and IMO there were different circumstances and clues to verify her wherabouts.

As for Shannon and her family possibly avoiding public scrutiny and the possibility they would like to brush this under the rug whether to appease Shannon's wishes or not... well, I think that if this is the case then they would erase the missing person's info. and dialogue from their FB profiles. Why would they leave that up?

I think the family is trying to live their lives as a "new normal". They are attending gatherings with their close friends and maintaining their prescence in the acting world as it is their passion and possibly a form of income as well as a responsibility. They may be perfectly aware that foul play or suicide is a possibility and are passing time in the event that an arrest is made and her body recovered. If Shannon is alive and has not made an effort to reach out to her family then they also have to come to terms with that reality. If she has made her prescence known I really think the family would have removed their numerous facebook posts relating to the search.

 

[bookboarder]

Whatever the situation is, my thoughts are with Shannon and her family tonight.

 

[deugirtni]

I posted something about that website awhile ago. I can't remember what i posted though. I'll check back on my posts, but I think she was not listed.

I'm wondering if SM's case was ever included on the RCMP website. If it were, and now is gone, could indicate that she's been found. Does anyone remember seeing it there?

 

[deugirtni]

The best way to make yourself and your situation more private after it's already been out in the media, is to contact LE to let them know you are safe and don't wish to contact family. LE would publish thru MSM a simple one-liner to that effect, and that case would be over with. Pretty simple, but yet it didn't happen.

I would agree---from the perspective of a member of the public, I would like to be updated about potentially threatening circumstances (e.g., assault, no arrest made). However, if I were in the shoes of someone who's been reported missing, when in fact I didn't want to be found, or made a mistake in running away, I don't know if I'd want that to be subject to public judgment. Yes, willfully disappearing and worrying your loved ones may be a poor way to cope, but under strain, people can make poor decisions.

I really do hope that she is okay, and if she did willfully disappear, that she can set things straight quietly with minimal public scrutiny.

 

[evafiore]

The best way to make yourself and your situation more private after it's already been out in the media, is to contact LE to let them know you are safe and don't wish to contact family. LE would publish thru MSM a simple one-liner to that effect, and that case would be over with. Pretty simple, but yet it didn't happen.

Possibly. Though I know that if I were in that position, I might feel uncomfortable with ANY further media involvement, regardless of how minor it is. I'm a private person, and for me, this would still divulge too much. As would having my family pull down FB posts about the missing person alert: people (like us!) would have reason to believe that she did go missing willingly---she may be feeling ashamed.

Given the two other Canadian cases I've mentioned (Cathy Pietz, Collette Clouthier), we do see that LE occasionally does not release a media statement when the missing person is found. So, while what I'm saying is speculation (ugh...), it's not impossible.

 

[OutOfTheDarkness]

Possibly. Though I know that if I were in that position, I might feel uncomfortable with ANY further media involvement, regardless of how minor it is. I'm a private person, and for me, this would still divulge too much. As would having my family pull down FB posts about the missing person alert: people (like us!) would have reason to believe that she did go missing willingly---she may be feeling ashamed.

Given the two other Canadian cases I've mentioned (Cathy Pietz, Collette Clouthier), we do see that LE occasionally does not release a media statement when the missing person is found. So, while what I'm saying is speculation (ugh...), it's not impossible.

It's also *not impossible* for SB to come on here pretending to be someone else... and then try to convince everyone she's been found so they stop talking about her.

Just speculatin'...

 

[evafiore]

Not impossible, no. Though I can't say that me posting somewhere around a dozen posts here is stopping anyone from talking about it---in fact, it's been quite active discussion. I'm suggesting a different way to look at it, and doing my best to support it with similar cases.

It would be interesting to ask CPS for an update.

 

[newone]

Possibly. Though I know that if I were in that position, I might feel uncomfortable with ANY further media involvement, regardless of how minor it is. I'm a private person, and for me, this would still divulge too much. As would having my family pull down FB posts about the missing person alert: people (like us!) would have reason to believe that she did go missing willingly---she may be feeling ashamed.

Given the two other Canadian cases I've mentioned (Cathy Pietz, Collette Clouthier), we do see that LE occasionally does not release a media statement when the missing person is found. So, while what I'm saying is speculation (ugh...), it's not impossible.

I can't even recall the lady's name who went missing last summer (left Calgary I believe and was heading towards Manitoba) - her car was found and that was all -

It was a thread here at WS and we naturally were all concerned for her wellbeing.

I believe it was at least a month later there was just a one line from RCMP - saying she was 'safe'.

That's all people really care about - no explanations required or even pursued.

I think overall -- we respect that adults have a life and make their own decisions. We do value privacy but most important we here at WS really do care about people and public safety.

IME & MOO

 

[evafiore]

Of course, as members of WS and the public, we do appreciate it. But they don't always do it (just found another one---see Paula Burnley reported missing January 25/26th 2015, no updates since then. Her Twitter account was active yesterday).

I think that the practice of non-reporting, which does happen, should be considered in discussions of missing persons. Just because we don't think the information should be withheld doesn't mean that it isn't, unfortunately. This discussion so far has been informative for me---I'm not asserting anymore that this is definitely what's happened to SB (fellow WSers have brought up some interesting and helpful points), I'm suggesting it as a possibility that shouldn't be ruled out.

 

[evafiore]

From CPS website, which explains it further:

Each case will be assessed at that time to determine the nature and urgency of the missing person case. Based upon the assessment, an information report may be generated, and/or a police member may be dispatched to investigate. If an investigation determines that the person may be at risk of serious harm or death, then a media release is done to request the public’s assistance in locating an individual.

This may explain the first media release and press conference.

------------------

What happens during an investigation
If an investigation is opened, it will remain active until the person is located or the investigation determines that the person went missing voluntarily.​
Being missing is not a crime. If a person chooses not communicate with other people the police cannot force communication. Due to privacy issues the police cannot reveal the current location, or contact information for a missing person unless the person provides informed consent.

This may explain the silence. The case has transitioned, things are happening behind the scenes, and CPS has become aware that SB is not in danger and she has not provided consent. I believe this consent requirement goes for updates as well. If the missing is an adult, LE cannot release the fact that the person has been located without informed consent.

Just some ideas. Not saying that this is definitely what's happened.

 

[cluciano63]

Police won't provide info as to where a missing is, if located, and they are missing by choice. But they will say that the person has been located. They don't want to encourage people to continue searching, possibly trespassing or getting injured, etc looking for someone who is no longer considered missing. At least, this is the case in the US. Jmo

 

[evafiore]

Not sure it's the same in Canada---I've included three recent Canadian cases in which it looks like LE did not announce that the person was located (Cathy Pietz, Collette Lee Clouthier, Paula Burnley---her Twitter account was active yesterday).

The Province of Alberta's Missing Persons Act (Page 6) states that "a police service may publicly announce that a missing person has been located." It could be interpreted that an announcement is NOT required.