Dawson Creek Residents in Crisis: Missing Persons and Rising Gang Violence Spark Alarm

In Dawson Creek, B.C., families of missing individuals are increasingly anxious as gang violence escalates in the area. Cole Hosack, a 24-year-old from Prince George, was only supposed to be passing through Dawson Creek over the New Year’s holiday. He arrived in town to celebrate with a friend’s family on December 31, but he has not been seen since.

“My worst fear right now is not finding him for the next 30 years,” Hosack's mother, said Julie. Frustrated with the lack of communication from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), she organized a community search for her son on Monday. Her concerns extend beyond her son’s disappearance; she believes many residents are hesitant to come forward with information due to fears of becoming targets in a climate of rising violent crime.

“People are scared there because of all that's transpiring,” she said. “A lot of people do not want to get involved.”

 Rise in Gang Activity and Gun Violence

According to the RCMP, Cole was last seen near the Lonestar Nightlife club around 12:20 a.m. on January 1. The day before, police discovered a body in a vehicle a few blocks away, currently classified as a suspicious death. On January 8, a shooting in Fort St. John, approximately 65 kilometers northwest, resulted in one fatality and multiple vehicles being involved in a subsequent chase. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from bullets fired into an unrelated residence.

Although police have not directly linked these cases, they acknowledge a notable rise in gang-related violence. In response to this spike, additional officers from the province’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team have been deployed to Dawson Creek. This decision came after the city reported five gun-related incidents in November alone, raising alarm among residents.

While police assert that many incidents appear targeted, they remain concerned for public safety. Julie Hosack is worried that assumptions may be made about her son’s involvement in local gang activities, despite his lack of connections to the area. “Cole’s never been to Dawson; he doesn't know anyone in Dawson. He was simply stopping through,” she said.

 A Growing List of Missing Persons

Cole's case is not isolated. Dawson Creek currently has four high-profile missing person investigations active, all initiated within the past year. Two of the missing individuals are cousins: Darylyn Supernant, 29, missing since March 15, and Renee Didier (Supernant), 41, last seen on December 2. Family members indicate the two women do not share the same social circles.

Initial reports suggested Didier was last seen at the same nightclub as Cole, but police later clarified that she was captured on gas station surveillance footage on December 3.

The fourth missing person is Dave Daniel Domingo, a 24-year-old last known to be in a rural area near Dawson Creek on August 29 when reports of a potential shooting were made. Limited information has emerged since the incident.

In 2023, at least four homicides were recorded in Dawson Creek, raising further concerns among residents. When asked for a comprehensive list of these cases, Dawson Creek RCMP Const. Emma Baron stated that suspicious death investigations fall under the North District Major Crime Unit, which does not provide such information.

 Community Anxiety

Local residents are feeling the impact of this surge in violence. Kaylee Lindberg, a school employee and lifelong resident, voiced her frustration at the alarming rise in crime. She recounted a frightening incident last fall when gunshots rang out while she was supervising children outside. This followed a fatal stabbing nearby during the summer.

"I'm getting worried about just going for a walk," she confessed. “Everybody I talk to is feeling the same thing.”

Shelley Supernant, mother of missing woman Darylyn Supernant, echoed these sentiments, explaining that she no longer feels safe since her daughter’s disappearance. She described a recent shooting that occurred close to her home, adding, “I look at cars differently, I look at people differently, I look at roads differently. My mind is different now. A lot of people in Dawson Creek are on edge.”

Supernant described her daughter as “happy-go-lucky” with a contagious laugh, noting her interest in hobbies like crocheting and clothing repair. Although Darylyn had previously engaged in a high-risk lifestyle involving illicit drugs, her mother found it unusual that her daughter had not checked in for over a week, fearing she may have become another victim of the escalating violence.

This anxiety is shared by Renee Didier’s grandmother, Verna Cardinal, who noted her granddaughter’s recent associations with people involved in drugs after moving back to Dawson Creek from Fort St. John. Cardinal was supposed to pick Didier up on the night of her disappearance, but her granddaughter never called.

“I don't think me and her ever argued,” Cardinal recalled, adding that Didier was a “fun-loving” mother of two who always brought joy to those around her.

Calls for Action

Families of the missing are growing increasingly frustrated with the RCMP’s handling of these investigations. Didier, Supernant, and Hosack have expressed concerns over the apparent lack of outreach to potential witnesses and suspects, citing sparse communication from law enforcement.

Baron assured the public that all missing persons cases are taken seriously, and her detachment is advocating for more resources to support both routine policing and complex investigations. Dawson Creek Mayor Darcy Dober acknowledged that rising violent crime has dominated his first year in office but expressed confidence in the RCMP's response.

However, dissatisfaction lingers among some government officials. On Monday, B.C. United MLA Mike Bernier addressed Dawson Creek council, emphasizing the need for more transparent communication from local police to prevent the spread of rumors during ongoing investigations. “When the information's not there, people start making up their own,” he stated.

Bernier also called for additional action from provincial and federal governments to curb repeat violent offenders. Premier David Eby shared his commitment to this cause, pointing to his advocacy for new bail reform laws aimed at making it more challenging for known repeat offenders to reintegrate into communities.

In a collaborative effort, Conservative MP Bob Zimmer has teamed up with Kaylee Lindberg to initiate a petition in the House of Commons aimed at addressing gang-related homicides. Lindberg fears that if the situation continues to deteriorate, she may need to leave Dawson Creek altogether.

"I really hope we can get on top of the situation before it gets worse," she said, reflecting the urgency felt by many residents as they navigate a growing climate of fear and uncertainty.