Kristie St. Claire, organizer of the Finding Amber Manthorne Facebook group, said she was grateful for the support she had received, including from volunteer divers and drone operators. But St Clair said she does not feel optimistic that her friend will be found alive given the time that has passed since her last known sighting on July 7. “After so many days, if she was hurt or lost somewhere, or if something happened to her, she just doesn’t feel right,” he said. “It looks scary now… we’re just trying to get her home.” Manthorne is described as petite, five feet one inch tall, with long blond hair and blue eyes. Her white Jeep Compass was found on the side of a logging road south of Nanaimo on July 9, police said. Three days later, the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit was assigned to the case. Amber Manthorne’s Jeep was found next to a logger south of Nanaimo on July 9. (submitted to CBC) St. Claire said on Tuesday the RCMP brought in dogs to search around Manthorne’s home on Great Central Lake, located 40 kilometers from Port Alberni. Police have also carried out searches in the area where Manthorne’s car was found. Volunteers have put up posters of Manthorne on Vancouver Island, and a muster station has been set up at Tseshaht Market on the Pacific Rim Highway to coordinate volunteers looking for information. St. Claire said Manthorne is popular, has a large group of friends and has been busy preparing for an upcoming wedding where she is a bridesmaid. She worked as a house cleaner and part-time at an industrial marina and was also a partner in a photography business, according to St. Claire. “She is a multi-faceted and multi-talented lady,” said St. Clair. “She is well loved and well known in and around Port Alberni [Vancouver] An island too.” Manthorne told friends she had plans to meet her ex-boyfriend at her home on the evening of July 7, according to St. Claire. Port Alberni RCMP initially issued an appeal asking for the public’s help in locating Manthorne and a man she may have been with. Police now say they have spoken to that man. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250 723-2424.
