An agony of waiting

Still no answers in N.L. woman’s mysterious disappearance

A Newfoundland family’s agonizing wait for answers was prolonged without explanation Monday as police abruptly cancelled a public update on their investigation into the presumed murder of Cortney Lake.

The 24-year-old mother of a young son vanished June 7 after getting into a truck near her home in Mount Pearl, near St. John’s.

The haunting case gripped the province and inspired total strangers to help look for the missing woman over the last five months, amid a social media campaign hashtagged #HelpFindCortney.

Her ex-boyfriend was found dead last week.

Lake’s relatives led extensive ground searches but her body has not been recovered.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said June 30 it was treating Lake’s disappearance as a homicide.

“Our family met with Sgt. Tom Warren and members of his team this morning,” family spokeswoman Glenda Power said Monday in a statement. “At his request, the news conference planned for today has been postponed. Please respect that we are unable to answer any other questions.”

Warren is a senior member of the constabulary’s major crime unit.

Lake’s loved ones were seen leaving police headquarters in St. John’s with a large photo of her just before the news conference was to begin. Her mother, Lisa Lake, was to make a statement to media as part of the now-delayed event.

RNC spokesman Geoff Higdon said no other details were available.

It wasn’t clear when the update may be rescheduled.