Major crime unit called in to assist in case of missing Port Alberni woman Amber Manthorne

The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) has been called in to assist in the case of missing Port Alberni woman Amber Manthorne.

Manthorne waslast seen on Thursday,July 7, and is described asapproximately five feetone inch tall, slim, with blondhair.

Her2021 Jeep Compass was found on the side of a logging road south of Nanaimo on July 9.

Police now say the man she was thought to be with has been located.

"We understand that it may be concerning to hear that the VIIMCU has been called to assist. However, we want to assure the community that this is not unusualin cases where a person's disappearance is out of character and criminality cannot be immediately ruled out," said Insp. Kevin O'Donnell, the officer in charge of VIIMCU.

Area search and rescue teams have been called in to assist in thesearch.

TheTseshahtFirst Nation organized acommunity get-together Sundayto raise awareness about the missing woman.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250 723-2424.