RCMP: North Peace SAR resumed search for Jim Barnes this week, have since stood down again

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — North Peace Search and Rescue (SAR) team members resumed the search for missing hunter Jim Barnes earlier this week, but have since stood down again, according to RCMP Media Relations Officer Madonna Saunderson.

Barnes was reported missing in mid-October along with his pet dog, Murphy, with his last known location believed to be near Chetwynd. 

Search efforts began soon after, with multiple SAR teams from across the province participating, but the search was eventually paused while police officers continued to investigate.

On Tuesday, December 3rd, North Peace SAR posted to Facebook that it had been tasked with searching an “area of interest” near the Halfway River area.

The previous evening, Barnes’ partner posted to Facebook saying that Murphy had been found near Wonowon.

Officer Saunderson confirmed in an email statement that the team was searching the area for signs of Barnes.

“The dog was located approximately 120 kilometers from where Mr. Barnes’s truck was last allegedly seen,” Saunderson says. 

“Search and Rescue were deployed to the area the dog was found in efforts to further the investigations, but they were unable to locate anything. They have since been stood down.”

According to Officer Saunderson, while the family believes the dog to be Murphy, they can’t say that it is with 100 per cent certainty.

“While the family feels that it might be Murphy, the RCMP are looking into a DNA test to determine positively that it is Murphy,” Saunderson explains.

The results of that DNA testing could take several weeks to arrive. 

In the meantime, Saunderson says the search for Barnes remains a priority for the detachment, and says new details may be shared as they become available, but that no further information is available at this time.