$50,000 offered for information on missing Burnaby man

The family of a missing Burnaby man is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his safe return, while police search for clues about a mysterious man seen in the missing man's building nearly two weeks after he disappeared.

Kellen McElwee, 25, was last seen at the Keg restaurant in Langley on March 19.

RCMP said that at approximately 9 p.m. on that Wednesday night, McElwee left the Keg and went to his car, which was parked in the Colossus movie theatre parking lot.

His 2006 silver four-door Honda Civic was found, undamaged, five days later on the 5100 block of Halifax Street in Burnaby, a few blocks from his apartment, but no other trace of McElwee has since turned up.

But on April 2, 2008, Burnaby RCMP released video images from McElwee's condominium building's security camera of a man wearing a hooded winter jacket with fur around the hood and a DC brand backpack.

Police have not said what they believe the connection between the two men might have been but they are hoping the reward might lead someone to come forward with information.

On Tuesday, police and McElwee's parents took his car back to the spot where it was found, to announce the reward.

"I'm a mother and I can't ever give up hope. You never, never, never, give up hope. That would just decimate me. I can't go down that road yet — not yet, not ever. I will look for him until I take my last breath," said his mother, Paula McElwee.

RCMP Cpl. Dale Carr said the file has been taken over by the Integrated homicide investigation team, which is calling it a "suspicious missing person" case.

Police suspect McElwee, who was working for Rogers Wireless as a call-centre trainer at the time of his disappearance, may have met with foul play, Carr said.

Police describe McElwee as a Caucasian male, five foot 10 inches, approximately 220 pounds with blue eyes and dirty blond hair. His hair is styled with a slight Mohawk or "fauxhawk."

He has a large tattoo on his left shoulder and was last seen wearing a long-sleeved, black fitted shirt, jeans and brown leather jacket.

His parents say there's a deadline on the reward — May 31.