Daughter of missing 70-year-old woman 'hopeful for a safe return' as search continues in southeast Manitoba

Family of a woman who disappeared this month are asking for help finding the missing 70-year-old after a search last weekend came up empty-handed.

Ywanna Backman wasn't at home in the rural municipality of Piney, about 115 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg, when RCMP responded to a request to check on her on Oct. 19. Mounties sayshe was last seen Oct. 13 and last in touch with a friend on Oct. 15.

"I can't even put a word to the feeling,"Ywanna's daughter Vanessa Backmantold CBC News on Tuesday.

RCMP repeated calls to the public for help on Tuesday after search and rescue teams, including K9 units, drone operators, members of the Office of the Fire Commissioner, the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association and volunteers failed to find the woman during searches between Friday and Monday, RCMP said in a news release.

Vanessa grew up in the community but lives outside the province. Shecaught a plane to Winnipeg as soon as she heard her mother was missing.

"I knew I needed to do everything in my capacity and ability to make sure that we brought her home safely," Vanessasaid.

She said two different people her mother knows called RCMPindependently after not hearing from her for a few days.

Vanessa said she is actively co-ordinatingfurther search efforts in the area around her mother's 65-hectare property.

"The community has shown tremendous support," Vanessa said. "This isa very tight community who is very caring and compassionate and through their care and compassion they have been able to show their support through various mediums and their physical support as well."

She said many people have trail cameras in the area and she is asking people to check footage for signs of her mother.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sprague RCMP at 204-437-2041. Tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or ontheir website.

The disappearance continues to be investigated by the RCMP missing persons unit, RCMP Sgt. Paul Manaigre said via email Tuesday.

"We just ask that the public, if anything is known, to please come forward and to contact the RCMP and to keep her, in their thoughts and to of course be hopeful for a safe return," said Vanessa.

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