Families of missing loved ones in Dawson Creek hold search parties

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The families of three missing people in Dawson Creek rallied together to hold search parties for their loved ones last weekend. 

Darylyn Supernant, who is 29 years old, has been missing since March 15th, 2023. Her cousin, 40-year-old Renee Didier, was last seen on December 3rd, 2023, and almost one month later, 24-year-old Cole Hosack was reported missing by friends and family on January 1st, 2024. 

The families of the missing individuals established headquarters for the January 27th and 28th search parties at the Staybridge Suites in Dawson Creek, where participants signed in and were given maps and supplies for the search. 

Saturday marked the second official search party for Cole, and his mother, Julie Hosack, says over 50 people participated — a much higher turnout than the first search. 

“The temperatures were super frigid for our first search, so we didn’t expect a huge turnout,” said Hosack. 

“The [first] search went well, we covered most of town, and at that time, we had no information at all. We were just literally starting somewhere because we didn’t know where to look other than where he was last seen.”

On January 17th, a release from the Dawson Creek and North District RCMP asked the public for further assistance in locating Cole.

Anyone with video surveillance capturing the area of Highway 49 from 8th Street and Alaska Avenue heading east towards Spirit River was asked to save the footage and contact RCMP.

“That’s the last press release that came out, and that’s what geared this search specifically to be from the 8th Street traffic circle towards Spirit River on Highway 49.”

Cole was last seen on video surveillance at Lonestar Nightlife on New Year’s Day at 12:29 a.m.

“I think Cole was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Hosack. 

“He has no connections to Dawson Creek, no enemies, no reason why anything would happen to him.”

Initially, Hosack took matters into her own hands by organizing the first search party because she was “frustrated” by a lack of communication from the RCMP.

Now, Hosack says she understands why the RCMP aren’t necessarily able to share all the information they have surrounding Cole’s disappearance. 

“It’s an active investigation. They can’t tell me things that will jeopardize the investigation that is currently ongoing, and I wouldn’t want them to either,” said Hosack. 

“I understand they cannot tell me everything, and they’re keeping in contact with me. We speak every couple of days. I know they’re working hard, and I know that they’ve brought in extra resources to help with Cole’s case. I have also heard the same for the other missing people cases as well.”

Darylyn and Renee’s uncle, Walter Mineault, does not share the same sentiment as Hosack regarding the RCMP’s efforts in finding his missing nieces. 

“One of the main frustrations I have today is [the RCMP] aren’t here,” said Mineault. 

“I feel that the RCMP should have been active in this search.They should have been involved in it. They have all the expertise, they have all the resources to be able to bring in the right people who know how to organize searches like this.”

Darylyn’s last known location has not been released by RCMP at this time. However, shortly after Renee was reported missing, RCMP shared photos of the 40-year-old taken from surveillance at a gas station in Dawson Creek on December 3rd, four days before she was reported missing on December 7th. 

Mineault believes the RCMP has the “right equipment and technology” to access areas search party participants cannot, and says “the care is not there.”

“Why aren’t they here? Why aren’t they trying to coordinate these kinds of things and help us try to find our children?” said Mineault. 

“If they were here, it would show they care, that they are worrying about our kids, and that they are doing their job.”

Both Mineault and Hosack are asking anyone with information leading to their missing loved one’s whereabouts to come forward. 

 “If you know anything, no matter how big or small, we need you to come forward. We want to bring Cole home — no matter what that looks like. He’s got a three-year-old little boy that is devastated that he can’t talk to his daddy,” said Hosack.

“He’s got brothers and a sister and grandparents and a mother and a father, so we just want to bring him home. So, if you know anything, I am pleading with you. If this was your child missing, what would you want from the rest of us?”

Mineault echoed Hosack’s plea, urging the public to share any information they may have, promising those who come forward will remain anonymous. 

“If you do have any information, please bring it forward. Your name will not be put out there in public, you will be protected, and you will not be in any danger,” said Mineault. 

“We need people to come out and listen to how much hurt is out there with these families, listen to the sorrow that they’re going through. You would never want this to go through yourself with your own family. Please come forward, help us find our loved ones, or at least give us some information on where we can find them.”

Hosack expressed her gratitude for all the volunteers who have shown their support by attending the search parties and who have donated to Cole’s GoFundMe. She asks Peace region residents to join the missing persons Facebook groups dedicated to Cole, Darylyn, and Renee and to “keep the awareness alive” by sharing posts from the groups across social media. 

Anyone with information on Darylyn Supernant, Renee Didier, or Cole Hosack or their whereabouts is asked to contact the Dawson Creek RCMP at 250-784-3700.