Seven years have passed since Kristina Ward went missing, leaving her family with no closure or answers. Kristina was last seen in Surrey in late September 2017, walking with a man with a bike. Her family gathers annually at the site where she was last seen, hoping to jog someone’s memory who may have seen her. Kristina, who would now be 27, is described as Indigenous, five feet five inches tall, 130 pounds, with curly brown hair and brown eyes. Her name is now in the database of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and her family describes her as fun-loving and eager to make friends. Despite not knowing why she left the house the day she disappeared, her family remains hopeful that someone will come forward with information to bring her home.
Katie Pearson, a member of the Coast Salish from the Sechelt First Nation, expressed the difficulty that September brings for Indigenous people and emphasized the importance of remembering missing individuals. She highlighted the upcoming National Day of Truth and Reconciliation as a reminder that every child matters, including Kristina. Cpl. Craig van Herk of Langley RCMP confirmed that they have received various reports, sightings, and tips related to Kristina’s disappearance, all of which have been followed up on. Despite having some leads, the police are still in need of more information from the public to progress in the investigation. Van Herk stressed the importance of even the smallest piece of information that could potentially unlock the case and provide the family with the closure they deserve.
Kristina’s parents, LeeAnne and Art Ward, shared their heartbreaking experience of not knowing the whereabouts of their daughter. LeeAnne conveyed the pain of not knowing where her child is and reiterated their determination to bring Kristina home through awareness and hope. She described Kristina as a shy and vulnerable young woman who just wanted to make friends. Art revealed that Kristina always wanted to be with her family, making her disappearance even more puzzling. The family’s yearly gatherings serve as a testimony to their unwavering hope that someone will come forward with information that will lead to Kristina’s return.
The video released by the RCMP at the time of Kristina’s disappearance showed her crossing the street at a specific location, but no significant breakthroughs have occurred since then. The man with the bike she was last seen with remains unidentified, and the police are urging the public to provide any information that could help solve the case. Gathering at the location where Kristina was last seen, her family seeks to keep her memory alive and appeal to anyone who may have witnessed something that evening. Despite the passage of time, the Ward family refuses to give up the search for their daughter, hoping that their continued efforts will eventually bring Kristina back home to them.
Art Ward expressed concern that awareness tends to fade over time when a person goes missing, emphasizing the importance of keeping Kristina’s case in the public eye. The family’s persistence in seeking answers and closure serves as a reminder that every missing person deserves to be remembered and that someone out there may hold the key to solving the mystery. As the investigation into Kristina’s disappearance continues, the Ward family remains hopeful that their efforts will eventually lead to her safe return. Their unwavering determination and the support of the community demonstrate the resilience needed to navigate the emotional challenges of having a loved one missing for an extended period.
