Tamra Keepness map on Reddit gets attention of Regina police

A hand-drawn map that purportedly shows where the remains of Tamra Keepness might be found is causing a stir on social media and has caught the attention of Regina police.

However, the unnamed person who posted the information says he or she does not have first-hand information about the case.

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Keepness was five years old when she disappeared from her home in an inner-city Regina neighbourhood in July 2004.

Her disappearance sparked the largest search in Regina's history, involving hundreds of police and volunteers.

Police believe she is dead. They have received more than 1,700 tips, but nothing that has led them to her remains.

A new flurry of interest has been generated after the hand-drawn map was posted on the Reddit website.

The map, submitted anonymously, is labelled "Location of Tamra Keepness, Check the Wells."

The crudely drawn map appears to show part of the Muscowpetung First Nation northeast of Regina.

Commenters on Reddit appeared divided between those calling it a sick joke and those who want the police to pursue it as a tip.

On Monday morning, the original poster provided more information. The person said he or she has no first-hand knowledge about the missing girl, but like a lot of people has been following the case for many years.

The person said a late grandmother had obtained the map from a late aunt who created it based on visits to a prison.

"Over the last few years, I submitted anonymous tips to the RPS [Regina Police Service], RCMP and Crime Stoppers about it with my knowledge of the area and never heard anything about it and kind of forgot about it. Until yesterday," the original poster said.

Posting the map on Reddit was designed to bring more attention to the case, the person said.

"I apologize for any misunderstandings as a result if this post and sincerely hope that something good comes out it and at the very least gets some more people searching and talking about her again," the original poster said.

Muscowpetung First Nation is one of the areas police had searched years ago.

Police 'hopeful'

Regina police said they saw the Reddit post on Sunday and have been checking into it.

"It's important to remember this tip, like every other, has to be weighed, has to be evaluated," Elizabeth Popowich, a spokeswoman for the Regina police, said Monday. "We're hopeful, always, that information on this case will come forward."

Popowich added that investigators also have to evaluate the merit of the Reddit tip, itself, although they have been in touch with community leaders at Muscowpetung and the local RCMP detachment, asking them to "have a preliminary look at the area of interest."