A coordinated search for the body of Shane Smith is taking place this Saturday, September 26th at Nature's Hideaway Family Campground in De Winton.

Smith was killed in early June at a house in South Calgary.

Three men have since been charged in relation to the case.

It's believed his body was placed in the Bow River shortly after his death, though searches by police and volunteers have turned up nothing so far.

Time is a concern for the Smith family, who are hoping to locate Shane before the arrival of winter.

Shane's father Bill Smith says the search has spanned from the Cranston Bridge to the Caresland Weir, and they've been looking at some of the Bow's distributaries as well.

"We've been using smaller boats to get into some of the smaller canals. We've kind of moved upstream to put-in at the Nature's Hideaway area to catch some of the island areas that would have been underwater when this originally happened because the river was very high and fast at the time."

He says many people have shown interest in helping out, though most of the people actively involved in the search have been close friends and family.

"We've had different people out there putting posters up and spreading awareness, but as far as actual involvement, it's mostly close friends, and there has been some public come and join."

Shane's mother Shirley Smith says volunteers seem to be more scarce than they would be if the search was taking place on land.

"Basically, because the search is happening more on the water now, it's harder for people if they don't have canoes, kayaks, boats, rafts, to be able to help us. The search is basically on the water, and anyone with sonar or underwater cameras, we feel that would be our biggest benefit right now."

She says the search won't come to an end until he is found.

"We won't stop searching, this won't end. If we don't locate our son at the weir, the search will continue over the weir going forward towards the Bassano Dam. We just ask for any and all help that we can get."

Wings of Mercy, a non-profit group dedicated to searching for missing people who have also been carrying out drone and fixed-wing searches of the river.

This Saturday's search, organized by Dennis Chin, has volunteers meeting at 9 a.m. at the Natures Hideaway Family Campground.

For more information on the event, click here.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Calgary Police at 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

 

Related: Former Okotoks Man Charged in Relation to Calgary Homicide

Another Former Okotoks Resident Charged in Relation to Shane Smith Homicide Investigation

 

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