Missing woman's family continues 4-year-old search

Family members of a young Portage la Prairie, Man., woman who went missing four years ago are not giving up efforts to find her.

Jennifer Catcheway was 18 years old when she disappeared on June 19, 2008.

Her parents, Bernice and Wilfred Catcheway, and other family members spent Tuesday — her 22nd birthday — hosting a fundraising barbecue in Portage la Prairie.

The money raised from the barbecue will go towards a new search that will begin later this week in the woods north of the city.

Family members say they expect a dozen volunteers to join them on the search, which will involve them camping in the bush for about two weeks.

"It's hard being out there … wondering where she could be and stuff like that," said Willie Starr, the missing woman's older brother.

"It's just terrible, it's terrible stuff to go through."

RCMP say Catcheway's disappearance remains an active investigation.

Family members estimate that they have spent $100,000 — most of which came from donations — over the past four years to pursue countless leads about her whereabouts.

Catcheway's parents have also taken part in marches and vigils to remember their daughter and other missing aboriginal women.