(St. John’s, NL), November 14, 2017 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) is releasing new information in relation to the Cortney LAKE homicide investigation.
The RNC’s Major Crime Unit (MCU) is confirming that Phillip SMITH, an ex-boyfriend of Cortney LAKE, is a suspect in her homicide. SMITH was located deceased by the RCMP in the early hours of Wednesday, November 1, 2017 in the Bellevue Beach area. According to the RCMP, the circumstances around SMITH’s death do not appear to be suspicious or criminal in nature.
The RNC, along with the ROVERS, Avalon North Wolverines, and the Central Avalon Search and Rescue groups, conducted ground searches in a wooded area between the Main Road in Bellevue and the Trans-Canada Highway in search for evidence in relation to the Cortney Lake Homicide but did not locate anything.
Investigators with the MCU believe that there are individuals who have withheld information. We are pleading with those or any individuals who may have any information that could assist in the Cortney LAKE homicide investigation to contact the investigative team directly at 709-729-8800 or leave information anonymously by calling NL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Furthermore, the MCU is also releasing new images of SMITH and his vehicle from June 8, 2017, the day after LAKE was last seen with him, in hopes that anyone who may have seen his truck or have relevant dashcam footage and hasn’t already come forward, will.
The dedicated investigative team working exclusively on the Cortney LAKE homicide file have conducted over a hundred interviews, received hundreds of tips and reviewed countless hours of CCTV footage. They remain focused and committed to working toward locating the body of Cortney LAKE and continue to be actively supported by Cortney LAKE’s family.
Anyone who has information pertaining to the Cortney LAKE homicide is asked to contact the RNC at 729-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can now provide information anonymously on the NL Crime Stoppers Website at www.nlcrimestoppers.com.
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Cst. Geoffrey G. Higdon #819
Media Relations / Social Media Officer
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
1 Fort Townshend, St. John’s, NL, A1C-2G2
Twitter: @RNC_PoliceNL
Facebook: RoyalNewfoundlandConstabulary
709-729-8658