The search for missing hunter James Barnes and his dog Murphy has been suspended but the investigation remains active.
On Friday, October 18, 2024, shortly before 11 p.m., Fort St. John RCMP received a report of a missing person. Initial investigation led police to believe that the individual may be grouse hunting in the Chetwynd area.
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 0:45 a.m., Chetwynd RCMP were advised of the missing person investigation.
James Joseph Edmund Barnes had gone hunting in his grey Chevrolet pickup with his dog Murphy, a golden retriever. He was reported missing to Fort St. John RCMP on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 10:58 p.m. when he failed to return home.
The investigation has discovered that on Friday, October 18, 2024, between 11:00 – 11:30 a.m., James was seen with his vehicle and his dog on the Ground Birch Road off the 269 Road. The vehicle, a 2004 Chevrolet pickup, BC license LJ1 O79, has been located, however, James and the dog were not with the vehicle.
If you were in the area of 269 Road and Ground Birch Road, have dash cam video or have seen his dog Murphy, you are asked to call the police.
If you were in the area after James was reported missing, and see anything that may be of help to investigators you are asked to call the Chetwynd RCMP at 250-788-9221.