Don't poke the bear. It's a warning I heard a number of times as I worked on the story of 'Whiskey Creek'. After almost three years of silence, reverberations from the series are being felt across the island. I'll open up about the aftermath of reporting on this story and the knock-on effects on the victims' families.Subscribe to Island Crime Plus for early access to episodes, all ad-free.For more information about subscriptions visit: https://frequencypodcastnetwork.com/subscriptions/

When Shawn McGrath emerged from incarceration he wound up out in the woods.  What could have helped him succeed outside of prison? And how can we prevent another Whiskey Creek from happening?Subscribe to Island Crime Plus for early access to episodes, all ad-free.For more information about subscriptions visit: https://frequencypodcastnetwork.com/subscriptions/

John McGrath knows his boy, Shawn, was no angel. And now, years later, he's ready to share his theory about the Whiskey Creek murders for the first time.Subscribe to Island Crime Plus for early access to episodes, all ad-free.For more information about subscriptions visit: https://frequencypodcastnetwork.com/subscriptions/

Two weeks before the Whiskey Creek shootings, a young woman’s body is found on a nearby highway. The 22-year-old knew the Whiskey Creek victims and spent time there. Is her death somehow connected?Subscribe to Island Crime Plus for early access to episodes, all ad-free.For more information about subscriptions visit: https://frequencypodcastnetwork.com/subscriptions/

A Vancouver Island mother believes her son may have been held hostage at Whiskey Creek. In her eyes, he is an innocent victim in an act of vigilantism. But he has never been named publicly as one of the victims. What will his mom do in order to seek justice for her boy? Subscribe to Island Crime Plus for early access to episodes, all ad-free. 

Today, the lone survivor of the Whiskey Creek massacre lives in fear that those responsible for the slaughter are still planning to finish him off. After the attack, he fled to the mainland, warned never to return. But now he wants to come home. Subscribe to Island Crime Plus for early access to episodes, all ad-free.For more information about subscriptions visit: https://frequencypodcastnetwork.com/subscriptions/

Fresh out of jail and with nowhere to go, Shawn McGrath lands in a trailer in Whiskey Creek. That's when problems in the community begin. His encampment in the woods is a magnet for the young and vulnerable. How far will the community go to protect their own?Subscribe to Island Crime Plus for early access to episodes, all ad-free. 

It's Halloween Night 2020. Neighbours hear loud noises coming from the bush. They assume the sounds are fireworks marking late night festivities. The next afternoon a dirt biker stumbles across a scene straight out of a Hollywood drama. Burned out vehicles, three dead bodies, four dead dogs and, incredibly, a survivor. Subscribe to Island Crime Plus for early access to episodes, all ad-free.

On Halloween night in 2020, a mass shooting took place near the resort community of Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island. Three people are found dead in a make-shift encampment deep in the woods. Beside them, four dead dogs and a burned-out trailer. Now, more than two years on, the case is at a standstill.  Island Crime Season 5: Whiskey Creek explores the secrecy and fear surrounding the shootings.New episodes coming May 9. 

As Amber's hometown prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of her disappearance, a forest fire severs the connection to the community. Port Alberni quietly grieves her loss, still waiting for answers. In this episode, a woman believes she may have witnessed Amber and her boyfriend together the weekend after her disappearance. And a man who never knew Amber, becomes an online antagonist, provoking a response.This episode was recorded and edited before news of Justin Hall's death became public. An update message has been added to reflect this most recent development.  Thank you to CHEK News for the use of audio from archival news footage.If you would like to support Amber's friends and family please head to their Facebook page: Finding Amber Manthorne

As the first anniversary of Amber Manthorne's disappearance approaches, her family and friends prepare to say their goodbyes and celebrate Amber's life.  Meanwhile, the search for Amber and the investigation into her case carries on. In this episode, Amber's sister Shannon speaks publicly for the first time and an avid river adventurer shares that he might have found evidence, which could be helpful to the investigation.This episode was recorded and edited before news of Justin Hall's death became public. An update message has been added to reflect this most recent development.  Thank you to CHEK News for the use of audio from archival news footage.Note: After the episode was published, I heard from a friend of Amber's who confirmed the shawl/sweater Amber is wearing in some photos belonged to a friend, and that friend confirms the item of clothing is in her closet. So the first item of clothing Geoff found likely did not belong to Amber. If you would like to support Amber's friends and family please head to their Facebook page: Finding Amber Manthorne

Amber's disappearance devastates those who love her. In this episode, close friends wrestle with the thought of life without Amber and look to the past to find clues about what was really going on in Amber's world.Amber Manthorne has not been found. The search for her is ongoing. While her disappearance is certainly out of character, it may not be a crime. Police have not ruled out criminality in her case. Anyone who may have information and has not already spoken with police is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424. And if you want to help support Amber’s friends, you can join them on Facebook through the group, 'Finding Amber Manthorne'.

Amber lives for summer. She works at a boat shop, her home is out at the lake and she makes the most out of the sunny season. A colleague, a friend and a woman Amber never met, shine a light on how Amber's bright spark may have been darkened forever.None of the allegations of abuse involving Justin have been proven.Amber Manthorne has not been found. The search for her is ongoing. While her disappearance is certainly out of character, it may not be a crime. Police have not ruled out criminality in her case. Anyone who may have information and has not already spoken with police is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424. And if you want to help support Amber’s friends, you can join them on Facebook through the group, 'Finding Amber Manthorne'.

Tensions are high in Amber's hometown of Port Alberni, while Amber remains missing. What can be learned of Amber's boyfriend, allegedly the last person known to be with her before she vanishes?Amber Manthorne has not been found. The search for her is ongoing. While her disappearance is certainly out of character, it may not be a crime. Police have not ruled out criminality in her case. Anyone who may have information and has not already spoken with police is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424. And if you want to help support Amber’s friends, you can join them on Facebook through the group, 'Finding Amber Manthorne'.Note: Thank you to the CHEK news team who have led on the coverage of Amber's story and whose archival tape you hear in this episode.

As time passes with no sign of Amber, friends fear the worst. The town is on edge and the behaviour of Amber's boyfriend adds to the tension. Amber Manthorne has not been found. The search for her is ongoing. While her disappearance is certainly out of character, it may not be a crime. Police have not ruled out criminality in her case. Anyone who may have information, and has not already spoken with police, is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424. And if you want to help support Amber’s friends you can join them on Facebook through the group Finding Amber Manthorne.Note: Thank you to the CHEK news team who have led on the coverage of Amber's story and whose archival tape you hear in this episode.

Amber is a cherished member of her Port Alberni community; a loyal friend, devoted daughter, a really ‘cool chick’, bubbly, and always cheerful. So it's no surprise that a community of people dubbed 'Amber's Army' have come together to help find her. Amidst the desperate search for Amber, friends take time to talk about her and answer questions about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.In this episode, host Laura Palmer talks to one of Amber's closest pals, a Chief of a local First Nation who also knew Amber well, and a friend who is a commercial diver, now using his skills to search for his friend in the lake she loved.Amber Manthorne has not been found. The search for her is ongoing. While her disappearance is certainly out of character, it may not be a crime. Police have not ruled out criminality in her case. Anyone who may have information and has not already spoken with police is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424. And if you want to help support Amber’s friends, you can join them on Facebook through the group, 'Finding Amber Manthorne'.Note: Thank you to the CHEK news team who have led on the coverage of Amber's story and whose archival tape you hear in this episode.

When 40-year-old Amber Manthorne fails to show up to work on Friday, July 8th, 2022, her friends immediately believe something is wrong. At first, it is thought that Amber is with her boyfriend, Justin Hall, but then Justin surfaces days later, without Amber, leaving more questions than answers.In this episode, host Laura Palmer outlines the timeline of events surrounding Amber's disappearance and sits down with Amber's friend, and family spokesperson, Kristie St. Claire.Amber Manthorne has not been found. The search for her is ongoing. While her disappearance is certainly out of character, it may not be a crime. Police have not ruled out criminality in her case. Anyone who may have information and has not already spoken with police is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424. And if you want to help support Amber’s friends-you can join them on Facebook through the group Finding Amber Manthorne.Note: Thank you to the CHEK news team who have led on the coverage of Amber's story. You hear audio of their news footage in this episode.

If you have information please contact the Victoria Police: https://vicpd.ca/michaeldunaheetips/

No charges were ever laid in the alleged attempted abduction and Michael Dunahee's disappearance remains unsolved. If you have information please contact the Victoria Police: https://vicpd.ca/michaeldunaheetips/

What has changed when it comes to keeping kids safe from abductors?