Crime Stoppers billboard launched to aid family in search for answers about loved one's disappearance

A new billboard campaign has been launched in Winnipeg to try and help a family find answers to their loved one'sdisappearance three years ago.

Robert Hutchison last contacted his family in January2021 and was reported missing that March. A Crime Stoppers billboard was put up at Logan Avenue and King Edward Street this week with a reward for information.

"We still don't know what happened and still don't really have any answers," said Paul Turenne, Hutchison's cousin, in an interview on CBC Radio'sUp To Speed Thursday.

Hutchison grew up in Winnipeg and Turenne remembers him as being a happy and rambunctious child. As he got older, he was also a professional cook and then joined the military.

Turenne said Hutchison also enjoyed the outdoors and activities like hunting, fishing and riding quads.

He said the idea of the billboard came together from Hutchison's father.Turenne said the family set up a Go Fund Mecampaign in order to raise money for the billboards and that there's another one set to go up in the coming weeks, which will go in the city's West End.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $2,000 in reward money for information, he said.

Police previously said they believed Hutchison was a victim of foul play.

They said during a July 2022 news conference that it's believed he was seen on the night of Jan. 31, 2021, somewhere in the area of Manitoba Avenue and Artillery Street. Police also said at that time they believed Hutchison was familiar with the area he was in.

WATCH|Mother pleads for information about disappearance of her son:

Mother pleads for information about disappearance of Robert Hutchison

2 years ago

Duration 1:03

Monique Hutchison, whose son went missing in January 2021, says he was a veteran and beloved family member.

"We don't know a whole bunch more than what's out there publicly already," said Turenne. "Whether there's people who know anything and just aren't talking we really don't know, we don't have a whole bunch of extra information beyond what's out there already."

Turenne said until there's a concrete conclusion one way another he supposes there's always hope.

"When the police publicly announce that they think that someone's been the victim of foul play I suppose you have to be realistic about that," he said. "Until we know and unless we know, we really don't know and so I suppose there's always hope it's something you've got to take with a grain of realism."

Winnipeg police told CBC News Thursday the investigation into Hutchison's disappearance remains open and any new information will be followed up on.