Still missing: Jack family disappeared from B.C.’s ‘Highway of Tears’ in 1989
The Jack family of Prince George, B.C., Ronald (Ronnie), age 26, Doreen, age 26, Russell, age 9, and Ryan Jack, age 4, were last seen 35 years ago after leaving their home in a pickup truck with an unknown man on Aug. 2, 1989.
B.C. RCMP say that recently, a forensic artist with the Miami-Dade Police Department, Samantha Steinberg, created age progression images of all four members of the Jack Family. These images were released through a private website, Unidentified Human Remains Canada.
Ronald (Ronnie), partner Doreen and children Russell (9 years) and Ryan (4 years), were last heard from at approximately 1:21 a.m. on Wednesday August 2, 1989 when Ronnie called his mother in the Burns Lake area. It is believed that shortly after that phone call, the family departed their home on Strathcona Avenue in Prince George with an unknown male in a dark coloured 4×4 pick-up. Although the family was expected to return in ten days, they have not been seen since.
Each age progression image is accompanied by the original image of Ronnie, Doreen, Russell and Ryan.
An anonymous call in January 1996 claimed that their bodies were buried on a ranch, but the caller did not elaborate on the claim and efforts to track down the caller were unsuccessful.
The Jack family disappearance is often linked to other unsolved crimes against Indigenous Canadians along the infamous “Highway of Tears,” Highway 16 in B.C. between Prince George and Prince Rupert.
Ronald (b. March 29, 1963) and Doreen Jack (b. April 24, 1963) were both members of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation outside of Burns Lake, B.C.
Doreen was abused at Lejac Residential School near Fraser Lake as a child.
At the time of their disappearance, Ronald had lost his job at a sawmill and injured his back forcing the family to go on social assistance and moving to Prince George to look for work.
“It is very important that the family remains in the hearts and minds of the public,” said the RCMP. “The RCMP and the family are hopeful that these new images will inspire those with information about the disappearance to come forward and speak with investigators.”
This investigation continues to be led by the Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crime Section and remains active. Anyone with information about the Jack family, where they are or who is responsible for their disappearance, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477 or online at www.northernbccrimestoppers.ca (English only). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you could be eligible for a cash reward.
