Fourth anniversary of Stephanie Stewart's disappearance

Thursday marked the four year anniversary of the disappearance of Stephanie Stewart from the Athabasca Lookout Tower, located 25 kilometers north west of Hinton. Family and friends of Stewart, along with the RCMP are still hoping someone will come forward with information about the case.

Stewart had worked as a firespotter for 18 seasons prior to her disappearance on August 26, 2006. On that fateful morning, Stewart put a pot of water on the stove to boil. Shortly afterwards investigators believe she was interrupted, and she has not been seen since. She was reported missing shortly after 8:00 that morning, after failing to report in as part of her duties. The pot of boiling water remained on the stove as a reminder of a life interrupted.

Investigators have determined that Stewart's disappearance is not as a result of accident or animal involvement. The case is currently being investigated as a homicide. During the initial investigating, officers determined that some bedding was missing from Stewart's residence, including two pillows with blue pillow cases, a burgundy bed sheet and a duvet cover with a Navajo pattern on it.

The investigation is still ongoing, and the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Union of Public Employees have posted a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Stewart's disappearance.

At the time she went missing, Stewart was 70 years old and described as being in good physical condition. She was approximately 5'0" - 5'2" in height, and weighed 100 - 105 lbs, blue eyes, with shoulder length grey/auburn hair and glasses.

The case has struck a nerve with volunteers searching for Lyle and Marie McCann. The St. Albert couple vanished on their way to B.C., and their motorhome and SUV were found near Edson, just an hour away from Hinton. It has been almost two months since Lyle and Marie McCan went missing.