'She deserves to be found': Strangers join family in search for Cortney Lake

The search to find Cortney Lake has expanded far beyond her circle of family and friends.

Many volunteers with no prior connection to the missing woman, whose disappearance is now being investigated by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary as a homicide, have found themselves drawn into her tragic story after following the case on social media.

• 'We're not prepared to stop': Family of Cortney Lake vows to continue search efforts

At a ground search in Paradise on Monday — the third in the past four days — more than 50 volunteers combed the woods surrounding the Kenmount Road west development in hopes of finding Lake's body.

"She's someone's child, she's a mom, she's a niece. She's a human being who deserves to be found," said Kim Kelly, who has participated in several of the searches for Lake.

"Her family deserves to know where she is and I feel like I can do my part to help." 

It would be your worst nightmare to be looking for your child.- Kimberley Street, volunteer

Kelly said the searches are now a well-oiled machine, with Lake's aunts Glenda Power and Donna Walsh directing groups to divide and conquer, and mark off areas that have been searched with pieces of rope.

It's a grim and often physically tasking job, but Kelly believes that it's one that must be done to help bring closure to the family and justice for Lake.

"We've gotta bring her home. Disillusionment is not an option. She deserves to be found and we as a community have come together to help do that," said Kelly.

Fellow volunteer Kimberley Street, who has now participated in four ground searches, said she'll do whatever she can to help out.

"I don't really have any connection," she said. "As a parent, I can't imagine it. It would be your worst nightmare to be looking for your child. Anything that I can do to help in that regard is important."

Family supportive

Lake's cousin Kathleen Brenton said the family is incredibly appreciative of all the help.

"It shows the power of social media, the power of people coming together for a cause," she said. "It shows people trying to take a terrible tragedy and bring some comfort to the family in having their loved one returned home."

According to Brenton, each person who is coming to search for Lake is doing their part to help fight back against violence towards women.

"It's also an effort to see justice done," she said. "It's standing up for all the Cortneys, all the women in the world who meet tragic and horrific death."

Brenton said she's committed to the search for the long haul.

"As long as this family wants to search, I'll be behind them."