Police Seek Public Assistance As Search For Amber Manthorne Continues

The Port Alberni RCMP are issuing a plea to the public for information that would assist in locating a woman missing for more than two years.

On July 8th, 2022, police received a report that Amber Manthorne was missing from her residence in Port Alberni.

Police believe that Amber’s disappearance was as a result of foul play and that she is not likely to be found alive.

Her boyfriend, Justin Hall, is considered a person of interest in her disappearance however he was found dead last year in Merritt.

His identity, status and relationship with Amber is being released in an effort to advance the investigation.

Visit Port Alberni RCMP as they have released more photos, and some CCTV footage of Amber’s 2021 Jeep Compass, with Hall trying to move some luggage in the vehicle while stopped at a gas station.

Investigators have released a timeline in hopes witnesses may come forward with relevant information. 

• July 7, 2022 at 3:27 p.m., Amber Manthorne is seen alone on CCTV at Buy Low Foods in Port Alberni. Amber purchases some grocery items and departs in her vehicle;
• July 7, 2022 at 3:35 p.m., a white SUV consistent with Amber’s drives west on Pacific Rim Highway near Tseshaht Market. Amber arrives at her residence around this time;
• July 8, 2022 12:22 a.m., Justin Hall, places a call to United Cabs from the Petro Canada on River Road. 22 minutes later, a cab is observed on CCTV near Tseshaht Market, travelling west;
• July 8, 2022 at 4:17 a.m., a white SUV consistent with Amber’s is captured on CCTV driving east on Pacific Rim Highway towards Port Alberni;
• July 8, 2022 at 04:50 am Ms. Manthorne ’s vehicle enters the Husky fuel station on 3rd Ave, Port Alberni. The vehicle pulls up to the pump, Justin Hall exits the driver’s seat, he enters the store and pays for fuel. Mr. HALL tries to place a suitcase from the backseat into the hatchback of the vehicle, but it won’t fit and is returned to the back seat. A tote can be observed in the hatchback of the vehicle; This tote and suitcase have never been recovered;
• July 8, 2022 at 7:02 a.m., Amber’s vehicle is observed on CCTV at the McDonald’s Restaurant on Johnston Road where Justin Hall makes a purchase.
• July 8, 2022 at 8:00 a.m., Amber fails to show-up for work.
• July 8, 2022 at 9:22 a.m., Justin Hall makes a purchase at Walmart in Nanaimo.
• July 8, 2022 at 10:26 a.m., Amber’s vehicle is captured on CCTV at the BC Ferries terminal at Duke Point. Justin Hall, the lone occupant, purchases a ferry ticket and proceeds to the line up to await the ferry.
• July 8, 2022 at 11:03 a.m., Amber’s vehicle is captured on CCTV leaving the BC Ferry terminal with Justin Hall driving.
• July 9, 2022 at 3:08 p.m., Ladysmith RCMP respond to a report and locate Amber’s vehicle abandoned at McGillivray Way and Creekwood Place.

Additionally, police say Amber’s cell phone appeared to have a case capable of carrying credit card(s) on the outer shell.

As the cell phone has yet to be recovered, police are interested in anyone who may have located a phone matching this description sometime between July 8, 2022 and now.

If anyone has located, or locates, a bin similar to the one in the CCTV, or a cell phone similar to the one in the photographs, they are urged to call police immediately.

Constable Beth O’Connor says they will keep searching until Amber is found but they need help to bring her home to her family.