Image: Chilliwack RCMP via YouTube / Chilliwack RCMP are marking the 40th anniversary of Joanne Pedersen's disappearance by releasing a statement saying that they have still have hope of one day finding her. Joanne Pedersen went missing on February 19, 1983 near the corner of Vedder Road and Watson Road. She was 10 years old when she disappeared. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Missing person Joanne Pedersen

Chilliwack RCMP haven’t lost hope of finding Joanne Pedersen 40 years after she disappeared

Feb 17, 2023 | 3:19 PM

CHILLIWACK — It’s a grim milestone in every sense of the word.

Sunday, February 19, 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of Joanne Pedersen’s disappearance, and yet the Chilliwack RCMP have not lost hope that they will find out what happened to Joanne.

According to a news release Friday (Feb. 17), Corporal Carmen Kiener of the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment in Chilliwack said Joanne Pedersen disappeared from a phone booth at the Penny Pinchers store near the corner of Vedder Road and Watson Road on February 19, 1983 at 8:15 p.m. She was 10 years old at the time. Joanne had called her parents to come pick her up as she had been locked out of her house nearby. By the time her parents arrived at the store, Joanne had vanished. She has not been seen or heard from since.

Over the years, pleas to the public have been made to identify an unknown male seen in the phone booth with Joanne prior to her disappearance, Corporal Kiener said in a statement. Recently police were able to identify this male and rule him out as a suspect. However, his identity will not be shared with the public at this time, Cpl. Kiener said.

The investigation into Joanne’s disappearance has never stopped and continues to be actively pursued. The Chilliwack RCMP Serious Crime Unit is seeking information from the public that can assist in solving this mystery. This is still an active investigation and any tips received from the public are being followed up with by investigators, Cpl. Kiener said.

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“If you have any information relating to Joanne’s disappearance please contact the Chilliwack RCMP as we are still hopeful we can provide answers for Joanne’s family,” Cpl. Kiener said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.