Rihannon Suteay was reported missing by her family on Nov. 12. (Submitted photo/ RCMP)

By Nigel Maxwell

Missing Persons

Well being of Birch Hills woman unconfirmed: RCMP

Nov 20, 2019 | 2:29 PM

A missing person cannot be declared officially found until they are physically seen in person, according to a spokesperson for the Saskatchewan RCMP.

Cpl. Rob King responded to the recent confusion surrounding the search for Rihannon Suteay from Birch Hills. Over the past few days there have been multiple reports by police saying she had been found, only to issue a correction hours later that she was still missing. King told paNOW police need to see the 18-year-old in person.

“We ensure their well being, we can report back to whoever reported them or requested them to be located that yes we have seen them, we have talked to them, and the person is in good health,” he said.

He added in some cases RCMP simply must share the person does not wish to be found, or want to make contact with the complainants.

When asked to explain the conflicting reports the past few days, King said there have been some internal communication issues due to the fact officers had claimed to have talked to Suteay over social media. King said in today’s digital age, there is a real danger in trusting that information.

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“Anybody could be responding via text message, anyone could be responding on someone else’s Facebook account and saying all the right things,” he said.

A recent post on Facebook suggested Suteay may be safe, but RCMP cannot confirm she was the one who made the post. (Facebook)

The spelling of Suteay’s name has also been altered a few times by RCMP over the past few days, switching back and forth between “Suteay” and “Suteau,” as well as “Rhiannon” and “Rihannon.” King insisted Wednesday the family had instructed RCMP the proper spelling was Rihannon Suteay.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts has been encouraged to contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell