Hitch hikers warned as search continues for two missing people near Swan River

As family and friends search for two people who disappeared from the same Manitoba community within a span of just two months, they are warning others to avoid hitch-hiking for fears more people could go missing.

Both Lorlene Bone and Corey Chartrand vanished without a trace from the Swan River, Man. area. Both were last seen in Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, a first nation's community about 400 km northwest of Winnipeg. 

• Family of missing Manitoba woman starts ground search for clues
• Corey Chartrand, 37, missing fromSapotaweyak Cree Nation

Bone hasn't been seen since the end of February and Chartrand since the end of April.

Robin Genaille is cousins with both people. She's been helping lead a ground search that started for Bone in March. 

"The first 60 days was the hardest for everybody," she said. "They [family] were all frustrated. It gets to the point where you try to calm people down." 

Genaille said she's sought help to keep herself calm and focused while searching. She said the immediate families of both Bone and Chartrand are leading their own searches, but frequently check in with one another. 

Talking to hitch hikers 

She's also stopped and talked to people she sees hitchhiking along Highway 10 near the community to remind them to be careful and to encourage them to find other ways of getting around.

"I pick them up, sit there, all I tell them is 'There are two people missing in our area. You should not be hitchhiking,'" Genaille said. "I'm trying to get them closer to their destination. I'd rather them be safe than sorry." 

"I was always afraid to pick up hitchikers." 

She doesn't know if her message is getting across but hopes more people get concerned.

"I have older kids. I tell my 20-year-old 'these are grown people that are missing ... a grown woman and a grown man that can keep for themselves, obviously something is wrong here'," Genaille said. 

Facebook page started 

She said a Facebook page, called Let's find Lorlene Bone, has now been started in an effort to drum up more leads. Genaille said the family is also hoping to offer a reward for tips in the near future. 

She said the plan is to continue searching for any trace of Bone and Chartrand.

RCMP said Friday that both people are still missing.