The family of a 22-year-old Burnaby man who went missing under “suspicious circumstances” in New Westminster one year ago today has made a public plea for information about his disappearance.
Jemal Reta, a former Byrne Creek Community School student and running star, was last seen by friends at about 7:20 p.m. on Dec. 9, 2019 in the 1900 block of Edinburgh Street, according to Integrated Homicide Investigation Team spokesperson Sgt. Frank Jang.
Friends told police he had appeared to be in good spirits and was planning to meet other friends in Vancouver that night, Jang said at a news conference Wednesday morning.
Jang said a video obtained by investigators appears to show Reta getting into a minivan on the night of his disappearance.
“We believe that foul play is involved and that Jemal may be the victim of a homicide,” Jang said. “We do not believe Jemal simply disappeared randomly.”
Reta had had some run-ins with police and may have “started to get involved with the wrong group,” according to Jang, but he said it was not known whether he was involved in a gang.
Reta’s father, Melaku Reta, appeared with Jang at the news conference, as the IHIT spokesperson read out a statement from him.
It described how the family had come from Sudan in 2005 to start a better life in Canada, and how Reta had loved sports and won numerous trophies and medals.
“He will be turning 23 next week,” the statement said. “In his room, we have all of Jemal’s trophies from track and field … Jemal’s mother and brother think of him every day. Anyone that knows where Jemal is needs to help us. Please report any information to police, so we can find him. Jemal please come home. I love you. Please let us know where you are.”
Reta is described as a black male, five feet and six inches tall with a slim build, short black hair and a cross tattoo on his chest.
He was last seen wearing a Hugo Boss hoodie, dark pants and a white belt.
https://twitter.com/HomicideTeam/status/1336754591057104900
Homicide investigators want to hear from anyone who might recognize the minivan Reta got into or might know who else was in the van or who Reta was meeting up with in Vancouver on the night of his disappearance.
Anyone with information is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or [email protected].
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
Email [email protected]
