'Let us know you're OK,' pleads mom of missing woman Christine Wood
Winnipeg police and Christine Wood's family made another plea to the public for information in the case of the missing 21-year-old, saying the stream of tips is starting to dry up.
"As more and more times goes on in these types of cases, it becomes more and more difficult for investigators to track down different leads, and information doesn't come in as rapidly as it did in the beginning," said Insp. Kelly Dennison.
"That's kind of where we're at now."
Police were joined by Wood's mother and father, Melinda and George Wood, at a news conference Wednesday morning.
They had little new information, but used the opportunity to urge the public to keep an eye out for Wood and contact them with any information, no matter how little.
"There's no tip that comes in that we don't follow up on," Dennison said.
Melinda Wood broke down in tears as she spoke directly to her daughter.
"Christine, we want you to know we love you, we miss you, and we are worried about you. Please text me and let me know you're OK," she said. "Come home."
- Police renew call for help finding Christine Wood
- Christine Wood's family 'overwhelmed' by community fundraiser
- Christine Wood's parents should never give up, says mom who found missing daughter
- 'Somebody must know something': Worried parents search for daughter, 21
Wood disappeared Aug. 19 while visiting Winnipeg with her parents from Oxford House First Nation. They were in the city to help another family member who had a medical appointment, and staying at a hotel in the St. James area.
Although sightings of Wood have been reported, none have been confirmed.
"I can tell you, each and every one of those has been followed up by the missing persons unit — every single one of them. And we're still here today asking for assistance," Dennison said.
A news release issued by police on Wednesday said Wood "is facing some personal challenges in her life causing ongoing concern for her well-being."
Asked what that meant, Dennison said there is a possibility she is associating with people who lead a higher-risk lifestyle connected to the drug trade or to those who spend time on the streets.
"Please, let me be very clear, we're not saying that Christine is leading that lifestyle," he said.
Asked if Wood is maybe someone who just doesn't want to be found, Dennison told reporters "our investigators have taken all those factors into account and I think we're past that, at this point."
Dennison then backed off speculation and seemed to take issue with reporters who probed for more information.
"Am I going to stand here and tell you that I think she's been kidnapped or I think this has happened or that has happened? That would make no sense on our part," he said.
"We need the facts, we need to actually have leads that we can follow up. That's why we're here."
Wood is described as five-foot-six with an average build and shoulder-length hair possibly dyed red. She was last seen wearing a green top with a red striped Adidas jacket and denim shorts and carrying a white purse.
Wood also has a chipped upper left incisor tooth, police added Wednesday.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Winnipeg police missing persons unit at 204-986-6250 or 204-986-6222.
