by Valerie Green –
Can you imagine what it must be like to have your child taken from you in a split second, and 25 years later still not know where he is or whether he is alive or dead? No one could – unless they had experienced it.
For Crystal and Bruce Dunahee, that has been their reality since March 24, 1991 when their son, Michael, was abducted in the Blanshard Elementary School playground. They have somehow managed to keep going, living on the hope that Michael is alive and one day they will know what happened to him.
But how have they survived those years? In the beginning it was a roller coaster of emotions as tips and leads came in – then fell apart. They continued to get the word out with posters, through the media, appearing on talk shows, talking with psychics, and holding annual dances and the Keep the Hope Alive Run every March. Crystal hung on for her daughter Caitlin’s sake. She worked at her day job as well as for Child Find. She is now President of Child Find BC and Child Find Canada and has received the Order of British Columbia for her work.
And, she runs … “Running,” Crystal said, “is cathartic.” Pounding the pavement allows her to turn off her thoughts and concentrate on something other than the misery in her heart. As the years passed, she has entered many marathons. She still runs and cycles and keeps herself in good shape, always trying to improve on her “personal best.”
In the beginning there were rumours about the Dunahees’ marriage. Would they separate and go their separate ways? Facing similar heartbreak, many couples divorce. Others come together in solidarity. For the Dunahees, the first years were difficult. However, in the year 2008, on their 25th wedding anniversary, they renewed their wedding vows – an act which speaks for itself.
For the Victoria police, the passing of the years has also been hard. Many police officers who were initially on the case have long since left the force, one being retired officer Fred Mills who was in charge. Police Chief John Ducker also had one desire before he retired in 2014 – to have the case solved. Sadly, the Dunahee abduction remains a cold case, despite thousands of tips and even the publication of the book Vanished – The Michael Dunahee Story. One of the most promising recent tips was when a young Surrey man with a background history that seemed to fit the scenario agreed to have his DNA taken. Hopes were raised but then dashed when his DNA did not match Michael’s. Through the years there have been other DNA testings which have led nowhere. “These leads are all treated with integrity and compassion,” stated one police officer.
To mark this 25th year, there will be more media attention. A CBC Radio One documentary ran locally in January and is being aired nationally. The annual Keep the Hope Alive Run is on Sunday, April 3, in Esquimalt, but this year the Dance, usually held on the Friday night before (this year April 1), is being billed as The Last Dance. It seems appropriate to end on the 25th year. However, that does not mean the Dunahees have given up. Hope IS still alive and always will be until an answer is found. An event is also being planned at the old Blanshard Elementary School to unveil a new plaque on Michael’s Tree of Remembrance in May.
Michael would be 30 this May 12. His parents, sister, grandparents, family and friends have been deprived of a lifetime of memories: attending kindergarten, grade school, graduation, post-secondary education, marriage and perhaps even grandchildren for Crystal and Bruce. Someone stole all that from Michael and his family. Someone, somewhere knows the truth and someone should pay the price.
If you know anything, please contact the Victoria Police Department, or Crime Stoppers Anonymous (1-800-222-TIPS), or email me (address below) and I will pass on the information to my police contact. Thank you.
Valerie Green is an author/historian and can be reached at valgee@shaw.ca.
