Police call for witnesses ahead of Jim Barnes disappearance anniversary
On October 18th, 2024, Jim Barnes was reported missing to the RCMP after he failed to return from a hunting trip earlier that day.
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Police officers are renewing their calls for information regarding the disappearance of a Fort St. John-based hunter nearly a year ago.
On October 18th, 2024, James Barnes — who also went by Jim — was reported missing to the city’s RCMP detachment after he failed to return from a hunting trip earlier that day.
The Chetwynd RCMP detachment was also notified, as he was believed to be in that area. Officers eventually located Barnes’ truck on the Groundbirch Forest Service Road near 269 Road, but the man himself was never found despite multiple searches in October and December 2024.
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Barnes is described as a caucasian man standing five feet eleven inches tall and weighing 201 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes and a large moustache. He was 28 years old at the time of his disappearance, and was last seen wearing a green and blue T.C. Energy ball cap, green or blue hoodie, and jeans.
Barnes was also accompanied at the time by his pet golden retriever Murphy, who was a year and a half old at the time. In December 2024, a dog was found near Wonowon that Barnes’ family believed to be Murphy, but DNA testing later confirmed it wasn’t the same dog.
Officers are asking to speak with anyone who saw Barnes on October 18th, 2024 or was in the area where his truck was ultimately found that day.
Anyone with information who could help investigators can call the Fort St. John RCMP detachment at 250-788-9221.
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