Police are expanding their efforts in the search for Nicole Bell.
Bell, 31, was last seen on Sept. 2 in Sicamous and was reported missing to police on Sept. 7.
Bell鈥檚 cell phone was later found in Salmon Arm.
Between 5 and 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30, RCMP officers from Surrey were going door-to-door in the 10th Street SW area of Salmon Arm, canvassing residents about whether they remember anything of note regarding Sunday, Sept. 3 on the Labour Day weekend.
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Jennifer Bertram, who lives near the intersection of 10th Street and 20th Avenue SW, was questioned by an officer.
鈥淪he was looking for items of clothing and, more specifically, a silver Ford F150 pickup.鈥�
Bertram, as well as other residents, was shown photos of Bell to see if anyone remembered seeing her.
Art Lepp, a 10th Street SW resident, was also asked about what he remembers from Sept. 3.
He says the officer visited a number of homes on his street.
鈥淗e had started from the mall (Piccadilly) and was working his way up the hill.鈥�
Other residents in the area who didn鈥檛 wish to be named confirmed that Sept. 3 and a silver Ford F150 extended cab truck were of interest to the police doing the canvassing. One said an officer explained they had come up from the Coast because investigators here were swamped and needed extra help.
Bell, a Malakwa resident and the mother of three children, is described as Caucasian, 4 ft. 11 ins. (150 cms) tall, and has blonde hair past her shoulders. She has a piercing in her nose and above her upper lip and occasionally wears glasses.
Police and her family have been concerned for her well-being as it is out of character for her to have no contact with her family for this length of time.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not like Nicole to do this. She is what you would say is a soccer-mom type,鈥� said Tricia Dendekker, Nicole鈥檚 sister, in an earlier interview with the Observer.
鈥淲e just hope to see her again鈥� We pray every day she walks through the door. We pray for the other families to have their loved ones return breathing. As well, we pray that these women and my sister are not scared or harmed.鈥�
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of is asked to contact the Sicamous RCMP at 250-836-2878, or Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477, quoting file number 2017-1401.
Bell is one of five women missing from the North Okanagan-Shuswap area.
Also missing are , , and . Police have not stated whether any of these missing women鈥檚 cases were the impetus for the current search of the 24-acre Sagmoen farm in Silver Creek, although some of the families, including those of Ashley Simpson and Deanna Wertz, have been told those cases were not what initiated the current police efforts in Silver Creek.
Jane Shirley, executive director of the Shuswap Area Family Emergency (SAFE) Society, notes that this is a difficult time for the community.
鈥淥ur goal is to offer support to those who are impacted by fear, trauma and violence. This time is particularly painful for those families who are currently looking for their loved ones who have disappeared from our region,鈥� she says.
鈥淚t takes great strength for a victim of a crime to come forward and this needs to be recognized. There is help out there for those impacted by violence. We continue to expand community awareness and support.鈥�
She urges residents to share information about abuse and available resources.
鈥淵ou could make a difference in a life that has been impacted by fear and abuse. No one is immune to the impact of violence.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to be hit to be abused 鈥� emotional, spiritual, financial and sexual abuse leaves invisible scars. Bullying, harassment and online harassment/stalking can affect anyone. You are not alone.鈥�
The SAFE Society offers 24-hour confidential support services for those exposed to violence. Call 250-832-9616.
Other resources include: Community Based Victim Services 鈥� 250-832-0005; Police Based Victim Services 鈥�250-832-4453; Children Who Witness Abuse Program 鈥� 250-832-4474; Stopping the Violence Program 鈥� 250-832-9700 and Outreach Services 鈥� 250-832-4474.
There is also a tip line should there be someone you know who has any information, big or small, that can help with the current investigations.
The Southeast District Major Crime Unit, general tip line for all investigations, is: 1-877-987-8477.
marthawickett@saobserver.net
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