Sara Coates was last seen by her mom on August 1, 2012. She was, at the time, 31-years-old. She was travelling with her beloved pets in a blue Chevy Astro minivan. Last week, almost eight years later, a hardworking, resilient, and dedicated group including her mom, brother, and his wife took part in another search for Sara. Since 2013 Cochrane RCMP has held the file open on Sara’s case. 

Cochrane RCMP Corporal Troy Savinkoff supplies the details on the case and although he had never actually met Sara, he speaks as though he knew her well. The number of years working on the case and working closely with those who did know her well has produced a familiarity inspired by a common goal. Everyone in the dedicated group now feels a personal relationship with Sara and that is one of the driving forces that has fueled the search for her over the years. 

Savinkoff says, “Sara Coates was a lady with an adventurous spirit who had a lot of acquaintances in different areas. She moved around and she had her dog with her and it was anticipated that she was going to the Radium area, Columbian Valley area. But, after she never showed up there and her mom hadn’t heard from her for a while, that was when she was reported missing.” That was 8 years ago this August. Approximately one year later in 2013, her van was discovered on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. It was clear to investigators that the van had been there a while. It was at that point Cochrane RCMP took over the file from Calgary police where the original missing person report had been filed by Sara’s mom, Dubhe Coates.  

Corporal Savinkoff says, “Over the years we have spoken to multiple witnesses. We do believe that Sara had dealings with some residents in the Stoney Nakoda First Nation and there was some communication. As of yet, we have not had any definitive idea of what happened to her. Every year there is always theories of what may have happened and we are dedicated to follow-up on any theories or ideas that people might have.” 

It is still considered an active investigation and Cochrane RCMP discuss the case with colleagues and brainstorm ideas and techniques to take the case further. The search last week was a follow-up to discussions and a continuation of the investigation. Savinkoff says the search was, “In an area that we had discussed previously, we since then have followed up with more witnesses and led to the search of the particular area on the weekend." Cochrane Search and Rescue, RCMP, and family members were searching just off the highway at the junction of 1X and 1A.  

The search has been made difficult over the years by environmental factors including the rough terrain. Floods particularly the one of 2013 made it exceedingly difficult to look in the areas being searched.  

Corporal Savinkoff says, “Every year that we do these searches and we do follow up we ask the public to look back at what they were doing then and to give us call if they found anything suspicious or if they heard rumours or people talking about what may have happened to her and to give us a call. Crimestoppers is available it is anonymous and it's free and people can call at anytime."  

Savinkoff says this last search was the fifth executed with the hope of finding Sara and adds, “Cochrane Search and Rescue and other units in Alberta have been absolutely great in helping us. These are all volunteers and a lot of them have been on all the searches and they have personal ownership and want to see Sara found.”  They have all trudged through swamps, forests, up hills and down looking for Sara. Her mom and brother and his wife have been there every time to help look and search for their loved one. Everyone in the hardworking, dedicated, and resilient group hold on to the hope that their efforts will one day find Sara and bring her home.  

Anyone with information is asked to call Cochrane RCMP detachment at 403-851-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. There is a Facebook page dedicated to Sara’s case that you can see here.